It’s actually wild how much drama went down before a single performer even hit the stage for the 40th anniversary of the MTV Video Music Awards. If you were scratching your head wondering when are the vmas 2024 taking place, you weren't alone. Most people had September 10 circled on their calendars, but things got shifted at the last minute for a reason that had nothing to do with music and everything to do with politics.
The show ended up moving to Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET.
Why the sudden change? Basically, MTV didn't want to compete with the first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Smart move, honestly. Trying to get people to pay attention to Sabrina Carpenter's outfits while the future of the country is being debated on another channel is a losing battle. So, the party moved to the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, just a day later than planned.
The Night Taylor Swift Made History (Again)
We have to talk about Taylor. It feels like every year we say "this was her night," but at the 2024 VMAs, she literally reached the mountaintop. Entering the night with 12 nominations, she walked away with seven trophies.
That brought her career total to 30 Moon Persons.
That number is huge because it tied her with Beyoncé for the most VMA wins of all time. But there's a nuanced detail people often miss: Swift holds the record for the most wins as a solo artist, since some of Beyoncé's count comes from her Destiny’s Child days.
When Taylor took the stage for Video of the Year for "Fortnight," she did something pretty cool. She actually gave a massive shout-out to her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. She mentioned how he would be on set cheering after every take, and she called him "magic." It was a rare, sweet glimpse into their relationship that the "Swifties" absolutely lost their minds over.
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Winners Who Actually Shook Things Up
While Taylor was sweeping the floor, a few other names really defined the "vibe" of 2024.
- Chappell Roan: She won Best New Artist and her speech was everything. Clad in medieval armor, she read from her diary and dedicated the win to "queer and trans people who run pop." Her performance involved a burning castle and a crossbow. Seriously.
- Sabrina Carpenter: She snagged Song of the Year for "Espresso." You couldn't go anywhere in 2024 without hearing that song, so the win felt right.
- Tyla: She won Best Afrobeats for "Water," but she used her moment to point out something important. She mentioned it was "bittersweet" because there’s a tendency to group all African artists under one label, even though African music is incredibly diverse.
Katy Perry and the Video Vanguard Award
Katy Perry finally got her flowers this year with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. If you haven't seen the medley, go find it. She performed for about 10 minutes, flying through the air and hitting every major hit from "Dark Horse" to "Firework."
What was really human about it, though, was her acceptance speech. She joked about how she did that entire high-energy, physically demanding performance on the first day of her period. It was a classic "Katy" moment—totally unfiltered and relatable. She also thanked her fiancé, Orlando Bloom, specifically for "doing the dishes," which apparently is his way of being a supportive partner.
The Weird, Fun, and Politically Charged
Hosting duties fell to Megan Thee Stallion, and she kept the energy high with multiple costume changes, including a nod to Britney Spears' iconic 2001 snake performance. But because the show took place on September 11, there was a heavier tone at certain points. Taylor Swift opened her first speech by acknowledging the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, reminding everyone that the music was secondary to the memory of those lost.
Later that night, the political overlap continued. Moments after the show ended, Taylor Swift officially endorsed Kamala Harris on Instagram, signing it as "Childless Cat Lady." The timing was impeccable.
What You Should Do Now
If you missed the live broadcast and you're just catching up on when are the vmas 2024, there are a few ways to experience the best parts without sitting through four hours of TV.
- Watch the Chappell Roan "Good Luck, Babe!" performance. It’s probably the most visually inventive thing the VMAs have produced in a decade.
- Check the "Fortnight" credits. Taylor Swift also won Best Direction for that video, proving she's digging deeper into the filmmaking side of her career.
- Stream Katy Perry’s medley. Even if you aren't a die-hard fan, the nostalgia hit of hearing "Teenage Dream" live is worth it.
The 2024 VMAs proved that even in the age of streaming, a big, messy, live award show can still capture the cultural zeitgeist—especially when the biggest stars in the world are breaking records left and right.