In a 24-hour period marked by patriotism, political endorsements, and personal revelations, Taylor Swift made her presence felt at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on September 11, following her Instagram endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election.
The unexpected attendee, Swift, began the evening by receiving the Best Collaboration award for her song “Fortnight” with Post Malone. She used her acceptance speech to acknowledge the importance of the date, September 11. “Waking up this morning in New York on September 11th, I’ve been thinking about what happened 23 years ago, everyone who lost a loved one, and everyone that we lost. That’s the most important thing about today, and everything that happens tonight falls behind that,” Swift stated, acknowledging the historical significance of the day in relation to her music.
As the evening progressed, Swift was awarded the Video of the Year. She expressed both professional gratitude and personal pride in her acceptance speech. For the first time publicly, she acknowledged the support of her boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, during the production of the “Fortnight” music video. “That one person was my boyfriend, Travis. Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic, so I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot, because I will always remember that,” Swift expressed.
Despite expectations that she might elaborate on her endorsement of Harris, Swift did not mention the vice president directly during the VMAs. Instead, she subtly encouraged political action, urging her audience to vote in the upcoming presidential election. Swift advised, “Please register to vote for something else very important that’s coming up, the presidential election,” skillfully merging entertainment and civic responsibility in a significant cultural event.
The show started with host Megan Thee Stallion displaying American pride in a red, white, and blue leotard, jokingly claiming it was borrowed from Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. The patriotic theme was maintained throughout the night, with Flavor Flav and Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles presenting the first award. Flav presented Chiles with a clock necklace, a nod to both his trademark style and her accomplishments in sports.
The event successfully balanced entertainment industry celebration with political engagement, enhanced by Swift’s subtle appeal for voter registration. Her Instagram endorsement of Harris had already driven over 337,000 visitors to voter registration websites, and her VMA speech extended that message in a bipartisan manner. As she left the stage with multiple awards, it was evident that her influence extended beyond the music world and into the political sphere.
Swift’s capacity to effortlessly traverse personal and political spaces has established her as a cultural powerhouse, particularly during events like these. While the VMAs recognized her with multiple awards, her ongoing advocacy and attention to issues such as voting solidify her status as more than a music celebrity.
