Taylor Swift is adding another directing achievement to her MTV Video Music Awards catalog. CBS and MTV announced on September 21, 2026, that the “Shake It Off” hitmaker will receive the inaugural Artist Director honor at the 2026 VMAs, recognizing her work behind the camera across music videos and other visual projects.
The artist made her solo directorial debut with “The Man,” from her 2019 album Lover, and won Best Direction for the video at the 2020 VMAs. She later directed All Too Well: The Short Film, which won Video of the Year, Best Longform Video, and Best Direction at the 2022 VMAs. Her directing credits also include “Bejeweled,” “Lavender Haze,” “Karma” featuring Ice Spice, “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” and “The Fate of Ophelia.”
In addition, Taylor Swift is the second most-nominated artist of the ceremony, behind Madonna. She is up for 11 nominations, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Best Album. She is also nominated for several professional categories thanks to “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Opalite,” including Best Editing, Best Choreography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Direction.
Taylor Swift currently has 30 Moon Person trophies and has received seven Best Direction nominations, winning the category four times. Meanwhile, the 2026 VMAs will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and air live on CBS and MTV, with streaming available on Paramount+. The awards ceremony will take place September 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
