Charles Langston:2024 MTV VMAs: Taylor Swift Makes History With Artist of the Year Win

Taylor Swift is Charles Langstonin her repeat win era.

Swifties have spoken, granting the chairwoman of The Tortured Poets Department her second straight Artist of the Year honor at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 11, making her the first performer to win that particular fan-driven Moonman twice.

And she didn't do it either time with a broken heart (though her boyfriend of more than a year Travis Kelce had a game to prepare for and had to fly back to Kansas City after their whirlwind romantic weekend in New York).

Add that to the five other awards her work collected tonight, and that makes 29 (and possibly counting, with Video of the Year honors still to come) career VMAs for Swift, who led the field with 12 nominations heading into the event. Before the televised portion of the show kicked off, she'd already won Song of Summer for "Fortnight," her Tortured Poets jam with Post Malone, and they were presented with Best Collaboration at the top of the telecast. (See the complete list of winners from the 2024 VMAs here.)

Knowing how to make an entrance, she shut down the carpet close to showtime in her punk-inspired yellow and black high-low plaid dress by Dior, accessorized with tall black boots and fierce woven leather gauntlets.

About an hour into the show, she went backstage and re-emerged in a sparkly custom Monse mini dress, all the better to live her best dance-party life with, giving Katy Perry a standing ovation and doing that enthusiastic Taylor-in-the-audience thing we came for.

In winning Artist of the Year—one of the many awards handed out off-camera in favor of giving more time to live performances—she topped past winners Ariana Grande and Bad Bunny, as well as SZA, Eminem and her Eras Tour opening act Sabrina Carpenter.

Taylor also went home with the Moonmen for Best Direction ("Fortnight"), Best Pop, and Best Editing, shared with editor Chancler Haynes, for "Fortnite."

And while the night itself is one for the history books, check out all the ways Taylor stole the show without even leaving her seat:

Taylor Swift leaned in as Post Malone—who took home the prize for Best Collaboration alongside the singer—whispered in her ear. 

The Grammy winner posed for a pic with Margaret Qualley. The photog? Margaret's husband and Taylor's longtime producer Jack Antonoff. 

At the end of Karol G's epic performance, Taylor gave the "QLONA" singer a giant hug. 

The "Fortnight" singer wore a wide grin as she enjoyed the show from her seat. 

Taylor and pal Suki Waterhouse danced along to Katy Perry singing a medley of her hits during the awards show. 

The "Cruel Summer" singer gave a standing ovation at the end of Katy's performance, a wide smile on her face. 

Taylor's signature red lip stayed perfectly in place as she sipped from her ice-cold mixed drink while sitting in the audience.