Taylor Swift is filling up her blank space with some new hardware.
The “Fate of Ophelia” singer officially made history at the 2026 MTV VMAs by becoming the most awarded artist in the show's history during the Sept. 27 ceremony at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater.
The 36-year-old—who was up for nine awards at the big night in music—was feeling all too well as she won the first-ever recipient of the Artist-Director award, an honor bestowed to a musician “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling,” according to a press release from MTV.
When she accepted the award, she put a spotlight on those whom she was especially grateful for.
"I got to start making music videos and being a part of music videos 20 years ago, and since then I've gotten to be a part of making 60 music videos," she said onstage. "Eighteen of those I wrote and directed. I really love writing and directing music videos."
"I got to tell you though, the main reason why I love writing and directing music videos so much is because you, the fans, make it so much fun," she continued. "You make it so rewarding because you actually care about what we're making."
The wins also meant that she officially surpassed Beyoncé for most MTV VMA wins, as the two were previously tied with 30 Moonman statues apiece.
Since making her first foray in the field as a co-director on her 2010 video “Mine,” Swift has self-directed a majority of her songs’ visuals, including “The Man,” "I Bet You Think About Me,” “All Too Well: The Short Film,” “Anti-Hero” and “Bejeweled.”
And Swift’s latest directing achievement was on display during the award show—hosted by Snoop Dogg—as she premiered her new music video for “Patient Zero,” starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.
The video comes just days after Swift dropped “Patient Zero” on her Sept. 25 release The Life of a Showgirl: Encore. In addition to the new track, the album included three additional new songs including “Pink Clouding,” “Babylon” and “Cleveland!,” the latter of which was all about her love story with husband Travis Kelce.
"Something we all can agree on / But my baby likes what he likes," she sings on the track. "He already took me to Cleveland / And showed me The Heights, so hate all you like / This is the love of my life."
For more iconic moments from the 2026 MTV VMAs, keep reading.
Taylor Swift
Teyana Taylor
Paris Hilton
Charli xcx
Dave Grohl & Jordyn Blum
Lisa Rinna
Ciara Miller
Nic Vansteenberghe
LISA
Raye
Sombr
Teddy Swims
PinkPantheress
Normani
Rachel Dratch
Tyla
Alex Warren
David Corenswet
Nicky Hilton
French Montana
Emma Bunton
Shaboozey
Bebe Rexha
Adam Lambert
Jesse Solomon
Flavor Flav & Chuck D
Nirvana
Sienna Spiro
Chloe Bailey
Olandria