The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards saw Madonna dominating the ceremony with seven awards, including artist of the year and best dance video for Confessions II — The Film. The 68-year-old music legend reflected on her 1984 performance of Like a Virgin at the first VMAs, which sparked controversy due to its provocative nature. She recalled having to quickly recover from a shoe mishap during the performance, saying she dove onto the stage to try and make herself look cute and sexy.
Taylor Swift also had a successful night, taking home three awards, including video of the year for her song Ophelia. The song, from her record-breaking 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, was a showgirl-inspired video that paid tribute to the late country music legend Dolly Parton. Swift dedicated her award to Parton, praising her as "the ultimate showgirl" who told stories that were "so vivid and so rich." Parton passed away in August at the age of 80.
Swift's win brought her career total to 33 VMA awards, making her the artist with the most VMA wins. She had previously been tied with Beyoncé at 30 awards apiece. In addition to her video of the year award, Swift also won best direction for her Opalite video and the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honours. The 36-year-old has written and directed 18 of her 60 music videos throughout her career.
The VMAs were hosted by Snoop Dogg and broadcast live on CBS and MTV, with winners in top categories selected by fan votes. The ceremony also featured performances from various artists, including Madonna, who kicked off the show with a high-energy performance of two of her recent collaborations. Sabrina Carpenter joined her for Bring Your Love, and Charli XCX took the stage for Danceteria Afterhours.
Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton by singing the enduring song I Will Always Love You. The performance was a quiet moment in an otherwise energetic ceremony. Lisa, a member of the group Blackpink, won the VMA for best pop video for her solo effort Dream. She spoke through tears as she thanked her fans, known as Lillies, saying she wouldn't be there without their love and support.
English singer and songwriter Sienna Spiro was named best new artist, combining pop, jazz, and soul music. The ceremony also saw Madonna's Confessions II album receiving attention, with the artist saying she spent the past 18 months "finding myself, believing in myself and really making the music I wanted to make." She defined this process as the essence of being an artist.
The VMAs also recognized other artists, including Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, who starred in Swift's music video for Patient Zero. The video debuted during the ceremony and showcased the couple in an unhealthy relationship. Overall, the 2024 VMAs celebrated music and artistry, with Madonna's seven awards and memorable performance making a lasting impact on the ceremony.
Key points
- Madonna won seven awards at the 2024 VMAs, including artist of the year.
- Taylor Swift took home three awards, including video of the year for Ophelia.
- The ceremony paid tribute to Dolly Parton, with Swift and Kacey Musgraves honoring her legacy.
