Taylor Swift took a moment from her acceptance speech at the 2024 MTV VMAs on Wednesday to commemorate the victims of the September 11 attacks.
After taking the stage and thanking her fans for being so ‘nice,’ Taylor launched into a remembrance of the terrorist attack, which occurred more than two decades ago.
‘You guys, I wanted to say, waking up this morning in New York on September 11th, I’ve been thinking about what happened 23 years ago,’ Taylor began.
She said her thoughts were with ‘Everyone who lost a loved one’ and ‘everyone that we lost,’ and she said that memory was ‘the most important thing about today.’
+34
View gallery
Taylor Swift took a moment from her acceptance speech at the 2024 MTV VMAs on Wednesday to commemorate the victims of the September 11 attacks
+34
View gallery
‘You guys, I wanted to say, waking up this morning in New York on September 11th, I’ve been thinking about what happened 23 years ago,’ Taylor began her acceptance speech for Best Collaboration for her song Fortnight, featuring Post Malone (L)
2024 VMAs: Winners accept their Moonman with memorable speeches
‘Everything that happens tonight falls behind that,’ Taylor added.
The death toll of the 9/11 attacks reached 2,977, making it the most deadly terrorist attack in history.
The attacks were carried out by 19 men affiliated with the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, with 15 hailing from Saudi Arabia, while two were from the United Arab Emirates and one each were from Egypt and Lebanon.
Two passenger jets were hijacked by the men and were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. A third hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon, while a fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers revolted against the hijackers.
After her short remembrance, Taylor turned back to giving thanks for her Best Collaboration award.
‘It’s so amazing to have the opportunity to thank and honor the people who work so hard with me on this video,’ she continued as she turned to her Post Malone collaboration.
She had a humorous encounter with Public Enemy hype man Flavor Flav, who is an avowed Swifty.
The Shake It Off singer and her collaborator also earned the Song of the Summer award for Fortnight later in the ceremony.
She was among the best-dressed stars of the night thanks to her tartan, which made some fans think she was preparing to announce a ‘Taylor’s Version’ rerecording of her Reputation album.
Her look consisted of a yellow-and-black plaid top half with an open skirt, which revealed black hot shorts that matched her thigh-high boots and lace-up gloves.
MTV VMAs 2024 WINNERS: AT A GLANCE
Video Of The Year: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Artist Of The Year: Taylor Swift
Best Pop: Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Best Direction: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Best Editing: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Song Of Summer: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Taylor Swift earned seven MTV VMAs to become most decorated solo artist ever
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award: Katy Perry
Song Of The Year: Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
Best Latin: Anitta – Mil Veces
Best Afrobeats: Tyla – Water
Best K-Pop: Lisa – Rockstar
Video For Good: Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For
VMAs Most Iconic Performance: Katy Perry – Roar
Take a look at some of the best dressed guests at the 2024 VMAs
+34
View gallery
She said her thoughts were with ‘Everyone who lost a loved one’ and ‘everyone that we lost,’ and she said that memory was ‘the most important thing about today
+34
View gallery
‘Everything that happens tonight falls behind that,’ Taylor added. The death toll of the 9/11 attacks reached 2,977, making it the most deadly terrorist attack in history
+34
View gallery
She had a humorous encounter with Public Enemy hype man Flavor Flav, who is an avowed Swifty
2024 VMAs: Performances and Moments that have everyone talking
Taylor was dressed in Dior Resort 2025 and sparkled thanks to Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, which included 30-carat pear-shaped canary yellow diamond earrings that were surrounded by tasteful black jade.
She joined music’s biggest stars as they came together for another night of celebration at MTV’s legendary VMAs.
Taylor had Swifties tearing up as she thanked ‘magical’ boyfriend Travis Kelce while making history by earning her 30th award in her career at the MTV VMAs 2024 on Wednesday night.
The 34-year-old megastar – who led the star-studded red carpet – made a rare comment about about her Kansas City Chiefs star beau, also 34, as she took home the biggest award of the night Video of the Year at the gala event held at UBS Arena in Long Island, New York.
She – who earned seven total awards this evening alone – was recognized for her collab with Post Malone titled Fortnight who also joined her on stage along with her team.
Taylor recognized her boyfriend of nearly a year Travis and his contribution to the music video during her speech as she said: ‘And you know, the things that this video seems very sad when you watch it, but it was like the most fun video to make and something I will always remember is that when I would finish I take and I would say cut and we’d be done with the take, I would always just here someone cheering and like woo from across the studio where we were shooting it and that one person was my boyfriend Travis.
‘Everything this man touches turns into happiness and find a magic so I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot because I will always remember that.’
It was a history making night for Taylor as she became the most decorated solo artist ever by earning 30 VMAs. She is technically tied with Beyonce at that number but the Cowboy Carter artist had previously won 2 with her former girl group Destiny’s Child.
+34
View gallery
The hitmaker, 34, has the chance to make history, as she could become the first artist to win Video of the Year five times. She already holds the record for most Video of the Year victories with four trophies under her name
+34
View gallery
Her collaboration with Post Malone, the track Fortnight, is up for Video of the Year
Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for US president
+34
View gallery
Taylor Swift is the most-nominated artist at the event with an impressive 10 nods
+34
View gallery
Post Malone trails Taylor by just one nomination, with nine total, though most of his nominations are for their collaboration
Earlier in the night, Taylor was the first artist to take home the coveted Moon Person as the megastar earned the win in the Best Collab category alongside Post Malone.
Taylor and the 29-year-old rapper earned the major win for their music video for hit single Fortnight.
As the award show landed on the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Taylor did not forget to recognize that dark day when she began her acceptance speech
She said: ‘You guys, I wanted to say 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, everyone that we lost, and that’s the most important thing about today. And everything that happens tonight.’
Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter had the biggest upset of the night as she defeated her mentor Taylor.
The 25-year-old hitmaker earned the coveted Song Of The Year Moon Person over the pop megastar for her smash hit Espresso.
Taylor was nominated for her song Fortnight, which was a collaboration with Post Malone. Beyone’s Texas Hold ‘Em, Jack Harlow’s Lovin On Me, Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us and Teddy Swims’ Lose Control were also nominated.
The 39-year-old singer – born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson – was presented the honor by fiance Orlando Bloom as she planted a massive kiss on him.
The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award is a merit given to recording artists and music video director to recognize their ‘outstanding contributions’ and ‘profound impact’ on music videos and popular culture.
Past winners of the Video Vanguard Award include David Bowie, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Pink.
+34
View gallery
+34
View gallery
Taylor Swift had Swifties tearing up as she thanked ‘magical’ boyfriend Travis Kelce while making history by earning her 30th award in her career at the MTV VMAs 2024 on Wednesday night
+34
View gallery
The 34-year-old megastar made a rare comment about about her Kansas City Chiefs star beau, also 34, as she took home the biggest award of the night Video of the Year.
+34
View gallery
It was a massive night for Taylor as she earned seven awards total
+34
View gallery
Earlier in the night, Taylor was the first artist to take home the coveted Moon Person as the megastar earned the win in the Best Collab category alongside Post Malone
+34
View gallery
+34
View gallery
Taylor and the 29-year-old rapper earned the major win for their music video for hit single Fortnight
+34
View gallery
She said: ‘You guys, I wanted to say 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, everyone that we lost, and that’s the most important thing about today. And everything that happens tonight’
+34
View gallery
Sabrina Carpenter had the biggest upset of the night as she defeated her mentor Taylor Swift
+34
View gallery
The 25-year-old hitmaker earned the coveted Song Of The Year Moon Person over the pop megastar for her smash hit Espresso
+34
View gallery
Post Malone, Taylor Swift, and Sabrina Carpenter happily posed backstage with their shiny new Moon Persons
+34
View gallery
Another one of the biggest awards of the night came with this year’s recipient of the legendary Video Vanguard Award in Katy Perry
+34
View gallery
The 39-year-old singer – born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson – was presented the honor by fiance Orlando Bloom as she planted a massive kiss on him
+34
View gallery
+34
View gallery
She began her acceptance speech by saying: ‘Thank you so much to MTV for believing in my weirdness from day one, and for being such a pivotal teacher to so many generations that an artist’s there are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decades-long accidents’
+34
View gallery
The coveted Best New Artist prize went to one of the hottest artists of the summer, Chappell Roan, as she beat out an impressive field including Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, and Tyla
+34
View gallery
Earlier in the evening Tyla was the big winner as she earned Best Afrobeats for her track Water
+34
View gallery
Another artist who was recognized was Blackpink’s Lisa who earned the Best K-Pop honor for her Rockstar music video
+34
View gallery
Anitta was also a massive winner as she earned the Best Latin Moon Person for her Mil Veces music video
The coveted Best New Artist prize went to one of the hottest artists of the summer, Chappell Roan, as she beat out an impressive field including Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, and Tyla.
Earlier in the evening Tyla was the big winner as she earned Best Afrobeats for her track Water.
Another artist who was recognized was Blackpink’s Lisa who earned the Best K-Pop honor for her Rockstar music video.
Anitta was also a massive winner as she earned the Best Latin Moon Person for her Mil Veces music video.
