Taylor Swift had a whirlwind 24 hours that mixed patriotism, politics, and personal moments. On the heels of her Instagram post endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Swift took to the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Wednesday night, September 11, delivering not only standout performances but also heartfelt speeches.
Swift, a surprise attendee, kicked off the night by winning Best Collaboration for her song “Fortnight” with Post Malone. During her acceptance speech, she made a poignant nod to the significance 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 shared, drawing a solemn connection between her music and the day’s historical weight.
As the night continued, Swift took home the grand finale award: Video of the Year. Her speech was a heartfelt blend of professional gratitude and personal pride. For the first time publicly, she thanked her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, for his support during the making 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 said.
While many anticipated she would use her stage time to expand on her political endorsement of Harris, Swift notably avoided any direct mention of the vice president during the VMAs. However, she did find a way to include a subtle political call to action. “Please register to vote for something else very important that’s coming up, the presidential election,” Swift told her audience, blending entertainment and civic duty in one of the biggest cultural moments of the year.
Host Megan Thee Stallion kicked off the show with a patriotic flair, donning a bedazzled red, white, and blue leotard—a nod to American pride. She even joked about borrowing the outfit from Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. The American theme carried throughout the night as Flavor Flav and Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles presented the first award. Flav, true to form, presented Chiles with a clock necklace, a tribute to both his signature style and her achievements in the world of sports.
The show maintained its balance between celebrating the entertainment industry and touching on political engagement. Swift’s understated push for voter registration added depth to an evening filled with artistic accolades.
While Swift’s endorsement of Harris had already mobilized over 337,000 visitors to voter registration websites, her VMA speech extended that message in a nonpartisan way. As she stepped off the stage with several awards in hand, it was clear that her presence transcended music, touching upon the political landscape as well.
Swift’s ability to gracefully navigate between personal and political realms has made her a cultural force, especially in moments like these. The VMAs may have crowned her with multiple honors, but it’s her continued advocacy and commitment to issues like voting that have cemented her place as more than just a music icon.