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Taylor Swift’s Biggest VMAs Moments Over the Years: See Photos

By:
September 7, 2025 2:00PM EDT
Taylor Swift's Best VMAs Moments: Photos of Her Highlights
Getty Images for MTV

From her 2008 debut to record-breaking wins in 2024, Taylor Swift has delivered unforgettable VMAs moments. See her biggest highlights in photos.

Taylor Swift has had no shortage of unforgettable moments at the MTV Video Music Awards over the years. From winning armfuls of trophies to delivering powerhouse performances, she’s also used the VMAs stage to make headlines—whether it was mending fences, sparking feuds, or simply enjoying the night with friends.

While the VMAs may not carry the same weight as the Grammys, they remain one of the most talked-about music events of the year, and whenever Taylor is in attendance, something memorable is bound to happen. Over the years, she’s given fans everything from the infamous 2009 Kanye West interruption to her electrifying 2015 performance of “Bad Blood,” and more recently, her record-breaking wins in 2023 and 2024, where she continued to cement her legacy as one of the most awarded artists in VMA history.

We’ve rounded up Taylor’s biggest moments from the show, starting with her very first appearance in 2008 and continuing through the most recent celebrations. Scroll through the gallery to relive her epic history with the Video Music Awards.

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Taylor Swift’s Most Memorable VMAs Moments

Taylor Swift’s Most Memorable VMAs Moments
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutt

Taylor Swift has made plenty of appearances at the VMAs over the years, and while she’s taken home a lot of trophies, she’s also had many other memorable moments at the show. 

August 20, 2019, 4:04PM
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Taylor Swift & Britney Spears

Taylor Swift & Britney Spears
Matt Sayles/AP/Shutterstock

Taylor Swift meets one of her idols, Britney Spears, at her very first MTV Video Music Awards ceremony in 2008. She was nominated for Best New Artist at the show.

August 21, 2019, 9:28AM
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Taylor Swift At 2009 VMAs

Taylor Swift At 2009 VMAs
Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock

Taylor Swift poses for photos on the red carpet at the 2009 Video Music Awards. During the show, she gave an epic performance of her song, ‘You Belong With Me,’ which was filmed on the subway and streets of New York City.

August 21, 2019, 9:29AM
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Taylor Swift & Kanye West

Taylor Swift & Kanye West
Jason Decrow/AP/Shutterstock

Of course, the 2009 VMAs also led to one of the most memorable moments in the show’s HISTORY. While Taylor was onstage accepting her award for Best Female Video, she was rudely interrupted by Kanye West, who grabbed her microphone and claimed that Beyonce should have won the honor.

August 20, 2019, 4:02PM
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Taylor Swift Performing At 2010 VMAs

Taylor Swift Performing At 2010 VMAs
Matt Sayles/AP/Shutterstock

After the infamous 2009 incident, Taylor did what she does best and wrote a song about the situation. It was called “Innocent,” and she fittingly performed it at the show the next year in 2010.

August 21, 2019, 9:30AM
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Taylor Swift Performing At 2012 VMAs

Taylor Swift Performing At 2012 VMAs
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutters

Taylor Swift returned to the VMAs in 2012 to give a fun and upbeat performance of her song, ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.’ It was the perfect kick-off to her ‘Red’ era of music!

 

August 21, 2019, 9:31AM
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Taylor Swift & Selena Gomez At 2013 VMAs

Taylor Swift & Selena Gomez At 2013 VMAs
Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP/Shut

Taylor Swift hung out with her BFF, Selena Gomez, at the 2013 VMAs, and they had a blast in the crowd! Selena was just as excited as Taylor when Tay won the Best Female Video award once again, this time for “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

August 21, 2019, 9:32AM
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Taylor Swift Performing At 2014 VMAs

Taylor Swift Performing At 2014 VMAs
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutt

Taylor Swift once again returned to the VMAs in 2014, and this time, she gave a high-energy performance of her then-single, “Shake It Off.” So much fun!

August 21, 2019, 9:33AM
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Taylor Swift & Friends At 2015 VMAs

Taylor Swift & Friends At 2015 VMAs
Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Taylor Swift brought members of her girl squad with her to the 2015 VMAs. The ladies all appeared in Taylor’s “Bad Blood” video, which was nominated for SEVEN awards at the show.

August 20, 2019, 4:02PM
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Taylor Swift & Nicki Minaj At 2015 VMAs

Taylor Swift & Nicki Minaj At 2015 VMAs
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutters

Before the 2015 VMAs, Taylor and Nicki Minaj got into a bit of a feud on social media. However, they squashed the beef, and proved that they were ALL good when Taylor performed with Nicki at the show.=

August 21, 2019, 9:34AM
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Taylor Swift Giving Kanye West His VMA

Taylor Swift Giving Kanye West His VMA
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Taylor Swift and Kanye West also ended their feud before the 2015 VMAs, and she was the one to present him with his Video Vanguard Award. Taylor gave a touching speech, and she and Kanye hugged onstage. However, just six months later, their feud was reignited when he called her “that b****” in his song “Famous.”

August 21, 2019, 9:35AM
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Taylor Swift Accepting Award At VMAs

Taylor Swift Accepting Award At VMAs
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutters

Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” took home the most coveted honor of the night — Video of the Year — at the 2015 VMAs. She and the video’s director, Joseph Kahn, took the stage to accept the honor.

August 21, 2019, 9:36AM
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2024 MTV Video Music Awards

2024 MTV Video Music Awards
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV

Taylor Swift poses with her awards backstage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York. 

September 7, 2025, 10:59AM