Even before the VMAs, it was clear that Swift would become the most awarded artist in the history of the show. A week earlier, it was announced that the 36-year-old would be the first recipient of the new Artist Director Honors award, which will honor artists who have broken new ground behind the camera.
With this award, Swift is the only person to receive more than 30 awards at the VMAs. She previously tied for first place with Beyoncé.
Swift also accepted the Video of the Year award for "The Fate of Ophelia," an award she dedicated to the recently deceased Dolly Parton.
We were all lucky to share this planet with Dolly for a time, said Swift, who later also won the award for Best Director for "Opalite."
Madonna won the most awards at the gala, taking home five statuettes.
"I came to life on the dance floor. We are all equal on the dance floor," she said when she received the award for Best Dance Song.
Zara Larsson was nominated in five categories for "Stateside", which she made with Pink Panther. It won an award for Best Production Design.
The short film for Yung Lean and Gener8ion's song "Storm" did not win any awards, but Yung Lean and dancers performed live at the gala, which "hypnotized" the audience, according to Billboard.
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift “The Fate of Ophelia”
Artist of the Year: Madonna
Song of the Year: BTS “Swim”
Best Collaboration: Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter "Bring Your Love"
Best Set Design: Pink Panther and Zara Larsson “Stateside”
