Taylor Swift sets VMA record with 33 career wins

Taylor Swift became the most-awarded artist in MTV Video Music Awards history on September 27, receiving the ceremony’s inaugural Artist Director Honors and moving ahead of Beyoncé, with whom she had entered the night tied at 30 wins. Swift later won Video of the Year and Best Direction, bringing her reported career total to 33 awards, according to ceremony accounts. The new honor recognized Swift’s work directing music videos. Her win was reported as her 31st VMA, breaking the tie with Beyoncé before her two additional awards. Swift’s Video of the Year award was for The Fate of Ophelia, while Opalite won Best Direction. The accounts supplied do not include an official winners record, so the award totals and history are based on ceremony reporting. Swift dedicated the Video of the Year award to Dolly Parton, praising the singer-songwriter’s storytelling and relationship with her fans. Swift described Parton as the ultimate showgirl during her acceptance speech. Parton’s songwriting, Swift said, made listeners feel as though they were watching a music video. The ceremony also featured the premiere of the video for Patient Zero, a separate Swift song.