Taylor Swift made a show-stopping return to the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet.
The “The Life of a Showgirl” singer-songwriter arrived at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 27 in a striking black-and-silver gown with a fitted halter bodice and a liquid-metallic floor-length skirt. She draped the shimmering fabric from her hip, allowing it to fall into a front slit while showing off the sheer side panels of her dress. Swift completed the look with long diamond drop earrings, soft glam makeup and her signature fringe.
Swift entered the 2026 VMAs with nine nominations, the second-most of any artist this year behind Madonna’s 11.
Days ahead of the VMAs, the pop star delighted Swifties with the deluxe release of her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore.” The newly released record boasts four new tracks – “Patient Zero,” “Cleveland!,” “Pink Clouding” and “Babylon” – and coincided with a turbulent teaser for her upcoming “Patient Zero” music video featuring Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
What are Taylor Swift’s VMA nominations?
Taylor Swift enters the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with nine nominations, the second most of any artist behind Madonna’s 11. Swift is looking to add to her record-setting collection of 30 Moon Persons.
“The Fate of Ophelia,” the lead single from her 12th studio album, accounts for seven of her nine nominations: video of the year, best pop, best art direction, best cinematography, best editing, best choreography and best visual effects.
Swift is also nominated for artist of the year alongside Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Madonna, Morgan Wallen and Sabrina Carpenter. Her “Opalite” music video earned a best direction nomination.
The singer-songwriter won seven VMAs the last time she attended the ceremony in 2024, bringing her career total to 30. She skipped the 2025 awards, when her sole nomination was for artist of the year.
How to watch the 2026 MTV VMAs
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air live Sept. 27 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ Premium.
Swift’s history with VMAs
The appearance marks Swift’s return to the VMAs after sitting out the 2025 ceremony. She was nominated for artist of the year that year, which went to Lady Gaga.
Swift last walked the VMAs red carpet in 2024, arriving at New York’s UBS Arena in a yellow-and-black plaid Dior corset and skirt, thigh-high boots, and black fingerless gloves. She later changed into a custom Monse minidress featuring a bejeweled UFO.
The singer took home seven Moon Persons that night, including video of the year for “Fortnight.” During her acceptance speech, Swift thanked her then-boyfriend Travis Kelce, who had joined her on set while she directed the music video.
“When I’d finish a take, and I’d say cut, and we’d be done with that take, I’d always just hear someone like cheering and like ‘whoo’ from across the studio,” she said. “And that one person was my boyfriend Travis. Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.”
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