During this year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on September 27, Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims are set to take to the stage for a special salute to George Michael who earned four VMAs throughout his career, and was presented the Video Vanguard Award back in 1989.
George Michael passed away on December 24, 2016, at the age of 53.
Along with the 2026 tribute announcement, Taylor Swift is set to receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors. Taking home the most awards in VMA history with 30, the 36-year-old superstar has also directed all her recent music videos – including ‘The Fate of Ophelia,’ ‘Opalite,’ ‘All Too Well: The Short Film, Anti-Hero,’ ‘Lavender Haze’ – and has won Best Director four times at the annual ceremony.
On Monday (9.21) CBS and MTV said the new award pays tribute to artists “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling.” The award also “celebrates a sustained and influential body of work from artists who have pushed creative boundaries and developed a clear directorial voice”.
Swift has also been nominated for nine awards, including Artist of the Year, and Video of the Year for ‘The Fate of Ophelia,’ the song that is also a contender for Best Pop, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects.
Taylor’s The Life of a Showgirl full length is on the shortlist for Best Album, while ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ is nominated for Song of Summer, along with ‘Opalite’ that is up for Best Direction.
Madonna is the most-nominated artist this weekend, with 13 nods.
The ceremony will be hosted by Snoop Dogg.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Mandy C.