Taylor Swift and Ella Langley represented Music City with key wins at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Swift won the night's top award, video of the year, for "The Fate of Ophelia" during the Sept. 27 ceremony. The track was part of her "The Life of a Showgirl" album, and Swift told the crowd at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles that she was especially proud of it. She also took the chance to thank her technical crew and one extra person, "without whom this would not be happening, the ultimate showgirl, Dolly Parton."
Holding her Moon Man award, Swift said Parton's storytelling was so vivid and rich, listening to her songs was like watching a music video. The country-turned-pop superstar then went further in her praise for the late legend.
"She
handled this thing with so much grace, joy, love and gratitude for the fact she got to do this," Swift said. "Everything that happened in her life and career she channeled back into love and appreciation for her fans. I am lucky I got to be one of them and I will always be one of them... I think we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time."
Swift was also given the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honor, for an artist who had moved behind the camera to expand their own creative possibilities, as well as those of the visual storytelling medium. Accepting the award from actress Dakota Johnson, Swift said she had made roughly 60 music videos in 20 years, and had written and directed 18 of them. She thanked the fans for making it so rewarding. Swift was also awarded best direction for "Opalite."
Langley was awarded best country song for "Choosin' Texas," in a field where Nashville artists made up six of the seven nominees. Kacey Musgraves for "Dry Spell," Lainey Wilson for "Somewhere Over Laredo," Luke Combs for "Back in the Saddle," Shaboozey for "Cowgirl" and Tucker Wetmore for "Brunette" were also in the category, along with Stella Lefty's "Boston."
Shaboozey was also nominated for best cinematography for the "Cowgirl" music video.
Swift and Morgan Wallen were both nominated for artist of the year alongside Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter.
Additionally, the rock band Geese was nominated in the best alternative category for their "Taxes" video.
The MTV Video Music Awards, which celebrate the year's biggest music videos and artists, returned to the Los Angeles area for the first time since 2017 with the 2026 ceremony at the Peacock Theater.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Taylor Swift, Ella Langley bring VMA wins home to Music City
