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Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors at Sunday's ceremony — a new award for artists who direct their own music videos — with Madonna set to open the show in her first VMA performance in 23 years.

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**Taylor Swift** will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors at Sunday's 2026 ceremony, a newly created award for artists who direct some or all of their own music videos, CBS and MTV announced Monday.

What is a key fact in this story? (2)

The networks said the award recognizes artists whose behind-the-camera work has "expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling," with Swift having directed all her recent music videos.

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Taylor Swift Gets First-Ever MTV VMA Artist Director Award — SkimNews

By Variety · Summarized & edited by Kapil Samant · 2026-09-21

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Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors at Sunday's 2026 ceremony, a newly created award for artists who direct some or all of their own music videos, CBS and MTV announced Monday.
The networks said the award recognizes artists whose behind-the-camera work has "expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling," with Swift having directed all her recent music videos.
Swift has earned seven Best Director nominations and four wins at the VMAs, directing videos including "All Too Well: The Short Film," "The Man," "Cardigan," "Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)" and "Bejeweled."
Madonna will open Sunday's telecast with her first VMA performance in 23 years, adding major star power to a show the article frames as almost certain to include Swift in person.
Snoop Dogg hosts the two-hour broadcast airing 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, with streaming on Paramount+ Premium in the U.S. and global availability the next day.
The article notes Swift used her 2022 VMAs acceptance speech to announce her "Midnights" album, fueling speculation she could make another announcement Sunday — possibly tied to a deluxe re-release of her 2006 self-titled debut, which she confirmed she had re-recorded after buying her Big Machine-era masters in May 2025.

Why it matters: The award's criteria — for artists who direct their own videos — fits Swift exactly: she has directed every recent music video and won Best Director four times. Stacked with Madonna's first VMA performance in 23 years, Sunday's show positions MTV for maximum tune-in from Swift fans hoping she repeats her 2022 album-announcement surprise.