Pop superstar Taylor Swift wins MTV Video Music Awards

Taylor Swift is unstoppable. Following recent listeners streaming records on Spotify and a rush for movie tickets for the concert film about her current world tour ‘The Eras Tour’, the pop superstar is now taking home nine coveted Moon Men trophies at the MTV Video Music Awards.

In front of a cheering crowd at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Swift beamed Tuesday night as he lifted the “Moonman” – a tiny astronaut on the moon holding an MTV flag.

Last year, Swift won the trophy in the top category ‘Video of the Year’ with her song ‘All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)’, and now the 33-year-old continues her success with her hit ‘Anti-Hero’. “. There were also eight other awards, including in the categories of song and artist of the year, director, camera and album of the year (“Midnights”). Swift turned eleven nominations into a nine-fold victory. hardly a chance.

In the top division, colleagues such as Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA and also the German singer Kim Petras were left behind. The singer was nominated five times together with British singer Sam Smith for the club hit ‘Unholy’, but they came away completely empty-handed.

The Los Angeles-based German made headlines in February with her historic Grammy win, when Petras and Smith won the trophy for best pop duo with “Unholy.” The 31-year-old became the first transgender artist in the history of the Grammys to win in the category.

Swift, in a black Versace dress with a high leg slit, was constantly in the spotlight during the almost four-hour VMA spectacle. The five musicians of the former American boy band *NSYNC were also welcomed on stage with applause and cheers. Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick and JC Chasez presented the trophy in the “Pop Song” category to winner Swift. She was visibly moved and came out as a big fan of the band. Receiving this award “from your golden pop hands” was simply incredible, the singer stammered.

However, there was no sample of the old *NSYNC hits such as “I Want You Back”, “Gone” or “Bye, Bye, Bye”. The group split up in 2002, but in 2013 the musicians last appeared on stage together as *NSYNC for a medley at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Stars like Lil Wayne, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Demi Lovato, Olivia Rodrigo and Nicki Minaj rocked and rapped. Colombian singer Shakira (46) thrilled the audience with a ten-minute medley of her hits, skillful hip swings and plenty of bare skin. She also received the honorary “Video Vanguard Award.” Previous winners include Missy Elliott, Jennifer Lopez, Pink, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake and Madonna. Shakira brought her two young sons, Sasha and Milan, to the show – and thanked them for encouraging mom.

American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs (53) was honored with the “Global Icon Award”. The legendary hip-hop mogul last performed at the trophy show in 2005. Now he was rapping again in front of a cheering audience, with a sample of his hits like “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Bad Boy For Life”.

The VMA Awards have been presented since 1984. Fans can vote for their favorites online. Among the other winners were the Italian band Måneskin with their rock ballad “The Loneliest”, hip-hop star Nicki Minaj (“Super Freaky Girl”) and the American rapper Ice Spice (23) as “Best New Artist”.

Swift, who also won the song of the year trophy for “Anti-Hero,” thanked her longtime producer Jack Antonoff onstage, referencing their first collaboration on the album “1989.” They would continue making music together until 2089, Swift joked. However, their fans won’t have to wait that long. Swift has already announced a new recording of her album “1989,” including five previously unreleased songs, for the end of October. (sda/dpa)