Taylor Swift may have been absent from this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, but her legacy at the show remains unforgettable.
The ceremony, held without Swift in attendance, still sparked countless conversations online as fans revisited the defining moments of her VMAs journey.
The 2009 edition remains the most talked about, not just for the infamous Kanye West interruption, but also because it was the first time the then 19-year-old performed at the VMAs. That night, Swift took to the stage at Radio City Music Hall with her hit single You Belong With Me, creating a performance that is now considered one of her most iconic. Dressed in a brown trench coat and cap, Swift began her act on a subway platform before dramatically transforming her look into a dazzling red dress as she boarded a subway cart, thrilling fans both in the arena and watching worldwide.
That night also marked a milestone as Swift picked up her very first VMA award, opening the floodgates for what would become a long list of honors over the years. Today, the Anti-Hero hitmaker boasts multiple wins and nominations, proving how central the event has been to her career trajectory.
So impactful was her debut performance that in 2024, it was nominated in the special category of “VMAs Most Iconic Performance.” While Swift may not have walked the red carpet this year, her influence at the VMAs continues to loom large, reminding fans of her journey from rising star to global superstar.