US pop star becomes new record holder: Taylor Swift receives three prizes at the MTV Music Video Awards

Swift, who shimmered on stage in a floor-length black and silver robe, prevailed in the top category with her song “The Fate of Ophelia” against Madonna, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter and Gener8ion with rapper Yung Lean.

Swift dedicates her award to Dolly Parton

Swift dedicated the award for best video of the year to the recently deceased US country legend Dolly Parton. “In every single song she wrote, her storytelling was so vivid,” Swift said of Parton. In addition, Parton handled her fame “so gracefully, lovingly and gratefully.”

Swift used the awards ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to debut the video for her new single “Patient Zero.” It stars actors Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson. The song is about a toxic relationship.

Taylor Swift is honored for her directing work

Swift also won the VMA trophy for Best Director for the song “Opalite.” The pop icon was also honored with a new special award (“Artist Director Honors”) for directing work. In the last 20 years she has made around 60 music videos, 18 of which she wrote and directed herself, emphasized Swift.

She would “really love” directing music videos. Actress Dakota Johnson presented Swift with the Artistic Director Honors – and praised her as a visionary storyteller.

Madonna wins

Superstar Madonna came on stage even more often than Swift. The 68-year-old entered the race as the favorite with 13 nominations and ended up winning seven awards, including Artist of the Year for her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter on the song “Bring your Love” and in categories such as camera, dance and album for her music video “Confessions II – The Film”.

Madonna, who had her last live musical performance at the MTV Video Music Awards 23 years ago, also opened the show this time with a groovy medley from her album “Confessions on a Dance Floor II”. She brought dozens of singers and dancers onto the stage. Sabrina Carpenter and the Queen of Pop sang their duet song “Bring Your Love”. With Charli XCX, Madonna debuted the collaborative recording “Danceteria Afterhours” with the refrain “Everybody get up and dance.”

Madonna remembers her first appearance

During her acceptance speech for Female Artist of the Year, Madonna recalled her first VMAs performance in 1984when something went wrong with her outfit and part of her butt cheek was visible. The singer said her manager said at the time that her career was probably over. This time she temporarily wore a lace bodysuit and extremely tight shorts.

Awards also went to Sienna Spiro (Best New Artist), Lisa (Best Pop), BTS (Song of the Year, K-Pop, Best Group) and Ariana Grande for “Hate That I Made You Love Me” as Song of the Summer.

Tributes and an honorary award for Nirvana

The legendary grunge band Nirvana (“Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “Come As You Are”) was awarded the coveted Video Vanguard Award. The trophy pays tribute to the winner’s influence on the music scene. Previous winners include Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake and Madonna.

The band Nirvana around frontman Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) appeared on the VMA stage for the first time in 1992. Former band members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear accepted the award to loud applause. “Kurt was one of a kind,” Novoselic said.

Country singer Kacey Musgraves moved people to tears with a moving tribute to Dolly Parton. The country icon (“Jolene,” “Nine to Five”) died in August at the age of 80. Musgraves performed Parton’s hit “I Will Always Love You.” There was also a moving musical tribute to the British singer George Michael, who died in December 2016 at the age of 53.

The trophy show in Los Angeles was hosted by rapper Snoop Dogg for the first time. The prizes have been awarded since 1984. Fans can vote for their favorites online. The trophies depict an astronaut figure holding an MTV flag.