Taylor Swift to Receive Inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honor and Premiere New Video

Taylor Swift is set to receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors at tonight’s ceremony, a new award that recognizes artists who have expanded visual storytelling and pushed creative boundaries behind the camera. The accolade will give Swift her 31st Moon Person award, surpassing Beyoncé’s total and making her the most decorated artist in VMA history.

The honor comes as Swift prepares to debut the music video for her latest single “Patient Zero,” which she teased on Thursday and will premiere during the show. The video features actors Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.

Swift’s recent release, The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, adds four new tracks, including “Patient Zero,” to her catalog. Her VMA history spans nearly two decades, beginning with her first appearance in 2008 and a Best Female Video win the following year. She has previously won Best Direction for “The Man” (2020) and multiple awards for “All Too Well: The Short Film,” among other projects.

The artist is in Los Angeles for the event after skipping a Kansas City Chiefs game, marking her first major red-carpet appearance since marrying Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.