Within a span of 24 hours, singer Taylor Swift juggled patriotism, politics, and personal affairs. Following her Instagram endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election, Swift appeared on stage during the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Wednesday night, September 11, delivering exceptional performances and sincere speeches.
Swift started the night with a win for Best Collaboration for her song “Fortnight” with Post Malone. In her acceptance speech, she highlighted the significance of the date, September 11. “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, and everyone that we lost. That’s the most important thing about today, and everything that happens tonight falls behind that,” Swift stated, making a sober connection between her music and the historical weight of the day.
As the night progressed, Swift won the grand finale award: Video of the Year. Her speech was a mix of professional appreciation and personal acknowledgment. For the first time in public, she expressed gratitude to her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, for his support during the creation of the “Fortnight” music video. “That one person was my boyfriend, Travis. Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic, so I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot, because I will always remember that,” Swift said.
While many expected her to utilize her stage time to further discuss her political endorsement of Harris, Swift did not directly mention the Vice President during the VMAs. However, she did include a discreet political call to action. “Please register to vote for something else very important that’s coming up, the presidential election,” Swift told her audience, intertwining entertainment and civic responsibility in one of the most significant cultural moments of the year.
The show was initiated by host Megan Thee Stallion, who displayed American pride by wearing a bejeweled red, white, and blue leotard. She humorously suggested that she borrowed the outfit from Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. The American theme was sustained throughout the night, with Flavor Flav and Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles presenting the first award. Flav presented Chiles with a clock necklace, as a nod to his iconic style and her accomplishments in sports.
The event maintained a balance of celebrating the entertainment industry and encouraging political involvement. Swift’s subtle push for voter registration added depth to a night filled with artistic recognition.
Swift’s endorsement of Harris has already led over 337,000 visitors to voter registration websites, and her VMA speech further extended this message in a nonpartisan manner. With several awards in hand, her influence was clear, extending beyond music to impact the political scene.
Swift’s capacity to smoothly transition between personal and political spheres has increased her cultural influence, particularly in moments like these. While the VMAs honored her with multiple awards, her ongoing advocacy and dedication to issues like voting have established her as more than a musical icon.
