Taylor Swift has made her entrance. The record-breaking pop queen made a fashionably late arrival at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards tonight, held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, in a dramatic plaid gown.
The Reputation-core piece was black and yellow and included a zip-up corset top, black short shorts, and a long ball-gown-esque train at the back. Swift made the revenge look, pulled from Christian Dior’s Resort 2025 collection, even more striking with lace-up black leather opera gloves, leather knee-high boots from Stuart Weitzman, a plaid choker that matched her gown, and Lorraine Schwartz canary yellow diamond earrings surrounded by black Jade.
She also wore jet black eye makeup and a blood-red lip for an extra ounce of drama. Her hair was styled in silky waves with straight bangs.
As Swifties on the web have predicted, the pop star is expected to announce the release of her rerecorded Reputation album—the one she wrote about Kanye West and Kim Kardashian—on the same stage where, 15 years ago, the rapper infamously interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech (for Best Female Video, for “You Belong With Me”).
Swift hit a career peak last year, and into this one, with her rerecorded “Taylor’s Version” albums and world-spanning Eras Tour. So naturally, she is leading the nominees list this evening with 12 nominations.
Last year, she was also the lead nominee—and made sure to dress the part in a Reputation-coded little black dress. The piece was a slinky black Versace dress, which she styled with layers of gold and diamond jewelry. The LBD featured an asymmetric neckline, ruched details, and golden buttons throughout, including across the bodice. It also included a super-high leg slit, from where her strappy black sandals peeked out.
Swift is nominated at tonight’s award show in the category of Most Iconic Performance, for her 2009 performance of “You Belong With Me” at that year’s VMAs.
Others nominated in the category are Beyoncé’s “Love on Top” (2011), Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am” (2000), Katy Perry’s “Roar” (2013), Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” (2009), and Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” (1984), as well as Christina Aguilera, Madonna, and Missy Elliott for their rendition of “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood” (2003).
