New York, New York – Taylor Swift added another accolade to her collection on Sunday with the inaugural Artist Directors’ Honors prize at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. During an acceptance speech, she paid tribute to her fellow “showgirl” who inspired her career: the late Dolly Parton.
The 36-year-old also nabbed Video of the Year, with her video for The Fate of Ophelia beating out work from the likes of Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Madonna, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Rapper Snoop Dogg presented Taylor with the award before she addressed her fans, thanking them for voting for The Fate of Ophelia.
She also explained that she directed the music video herself, which has helped her grow as a filmmaker.
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But one thing was especially important to the singer: “I want to thank and dedicate this award to one person, without whom just this wouldn’t be happening, and that person is the ultimate showgirl, Dolly Parton.”
Swift raved about the country icon and her vivid storytelling, saying that listening to her songs is like “watching the best music video you have ever seen in your life.”
The Opalite artist also praised Parton’s “gratitude and appreciation for her fans” and constant commitment to spreading love and positivity.
Swift said that, in her view, everyone was incredibly lucky to have lived in the same world as Dolly Parton for a while. She concluded by thanking everyone for the special moment and said she loves her fans.
Also during the show, Swift treated her fans to the debut of a new music video for her latest single, Patient Zero, starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.
