MTV Video Music Awards: Taylor Swift revealed release date of new album Midnights
Taylor Swift surprised fans by announcing some big news during her acceptance speech at MTV VMAs, after another popular act was censored on TV.
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Taylor Swift ruled supreme at the MTV VMA awards where she picked up two statues and rewarded her loyal voting bloc with a big reveal about her next album.
Swift claimed Best Longform Video gong for her All Too Well short film and video of the year, paying tribute to the fact four women were nominated as directors in the category.
She then teased fans with the news she would release a record on October 21.
The 32-year-old pop juggernaut said because her fans had voted for her All Too Well short film to win, she “thought it might be a fun moment to tell you my brand new album comes out on October 21...and I will tell you more at midnight (New York time).”
Swift later took to social media saying the 10th studio album will be called Midnights and is a collection of news songs rather than a “Taylor‘s version” re-record of a past release.
The record was “a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams,” she posted on her social media pages.
“The floors we pace, the demons we face,” she said.
“For all of us who have tossed and turned and decided to keep the lanterns lit and go searching — hoping that just maybe, when the clock strikes twelve — we‘ll meet ourselves.”
Midnights, the stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life, will be out October 21. Meet me at midnight.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 29, 2022
Pre-order now: https://t.co/jjqUNkphuGpic.twitter.com/Fh96zK8vro
The eager Swifties were directed to her website‘s online store to pre-order the 13-track record in three formats — vinyl, CD and cassette.
The cassette version on her American website is worth $A26.25 compared to the CD at $A18.96. The blue marbled vinyl version will set back fans $A43.76.
Taylor Swift doesn’t walk a red carpet unless she’s a 99.9 per cent chance of winning a trophy.
So it was no shock when her unheralded appearance on the MTV VMAs red carpet dripping in crystals was rewarded with her first Moonman of the night - Best Longform Video.
Swift went on win Best Direction and Video of the Year for the All Too Well short film.
Swift directed the video which starred Stranger Things fave Sadie Sink and Teen Wolf actor Dylan O‘Brien.
“Thank you for this beautiful indication that we did something right; love you guys,” Swift said.
Fans quickly went into overdrive online speculating her sparkling Oscar de la Renta dress was an Easter egg signalling which of her previous albums she would be re-recording next.
The Swifties earlier seemed torn between the outfit, suggesting 1989 or Reputation was up next for a Taylor‘s version treatment.
MTV CENSORS BAND’S ACT
The MTV Video Music Awards blew their reputation for hosting pop’s most outrageous moments by censoring half of Italian rock band Maneskin’s performance of their global hit Supermodel.
Fans flooded social media to slam MTV for taking their cameras into the rafters instead of staying tight on the band and frontman Damiano David who sported quite the revealing leather costume.
Wearing a leather thong and chaps, David‘s butt was occasionally in shot for the first minute of the band’s set before the director took the vision from the stadium’s nosebleed seats where all you could see was blown-out white light on stage.
Maneskin, who have been riding high in the pop charts since winning 2021 Eurovision, earlier picked up the trophy for Best Alternative Video for their hit I Wanna Be Your Slave
The vision censorship came after speeches and performances were constantly interrupted by MTV bleeping any swear words - and there were a lot.
Why’d they censor Maneskin’s performance but when females do the same thing nothing happens?! #VMAspic.twitter.com/HJw7etWDpS
— SΞAN (@Seanlofficial) August 29, 2022
Fans speculated that it may not have been David’s bared buttocks which freaked MTV out but bass player Victoria De Angelis baring her breasts.
Out of focus screen grabs posted to Twitter of De Angelis on stage during the performance appear to suggest she had adjusted her outfit to reveal her chest.
She often performs wearing a sheer top or tape over her nipples.
WACKY CHILI PEPPERS’ ‘COACHROACH’ SPEECH
Red Hot Chili Peppers cofounder Flea amused fans and the superstar crowd with his acceptance of the Global Icon Award at the MTV Video Music Awards by declaring his love for cockroaches.
“We love cockroaches and dirt and trees and every human being,” he kicked off his segment of the band‘s ”thank yous”.
Flea, who born in Australia as Michael Balzary, also declared his love of deer and their antlers, the ocean and all the fish in it, birds and sky.
“He says it all in his smile,” declared frontman Anthony Kiedis after the typically Flea-style speech.
Drummer Chad Smith dedicated the trophy to his late best mate, Foo Fighters Taylor Hawkins.
Smith will star in next week‘s tribute concert in London which will be broadcast on MTV.
“There‘s another music global icon, his name is my brother Taylor Hawkins; I want to dedicate this to Taylor and his family, I love them. I miss him every day,” Smith said.
The band performed on stage at the ceremony prior to receiving the Global Icon Award.
NICKI MINAJ STUNS WITH ‘PERFECT LIVES’ SPEECH
Nicki Minaj gave a marathon performance at the MTV Video Music Awards that saw her combine some classics with her most popular hits.
Sporting her trademark pink hair, she wore a crystal-clad top and pink skirt for her first VMA performance since 2018.
The performance was in honour of her being the recipient of the VMA Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
The award is presented to artists for their outstanding contributions and profound impact on music video and popular culture.
It was paired with tributes from fans.
Rap queen Nicki Minaj dedicated her prestigious Vanguard award to pioneers of the MTV era Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
After performing a medley of hits from Beez in The Trap and Anaconda through to current chart-topper Super Freaky Girl, Minaj called out for her phone to be delivered to her on stage she could make her speech from notes.
After shouting out a raft of living legends who she has shared chart-topping hits with over her career, she spoke about the late greats.
“I wrote this down; this was in my spirit to say,” she said before reading from her phone.
“I wish that Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were here. I wish that people understood what they meant and what they were going through,” she said.
“I wish people would take mental health seriously, even for the people you think have perfect lives.”
Minaj also dedicated the award to her almost two-year-old son Papa Bear.
“Mommy loves you so, so much.”
DEPP’S BIZARRE VMA STUNT
Controversial actor Johnny Depp made a bizarre blink-and-you’ll-miss appearance at the 2022 MTV VMAs.
As rumoured ahead of the awards in New Jersey, Depp appeared as the VMAs’ Moonman mascot, floating above the stage in a space suit with a grin on his face.
After his scandalous defamation court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp is on a mission to rehabilitate his reputation and career.
Dior recently announced they have renewed their deal with the actor to be the face of their Sauvage men‘s fragrance brand.
His return to the MTV awards stage was supported online by fans posting with a #JohnnyDeppRisesMTV hashtag.
FERGIE, LIZZO OPENED VMAs
Jack Harrow, Fergie and Lizzo opened the MTV VMAs with a stellar performance.
The Kid Laroi was up for three Moonman trophies at the 2022 MTV VMAs for his global smash Stay with pop megastar Justin Bieber.
Australian electronic pop architects PNAU were in contention for a big thank you for their stellar production of the Cold Heart remix for Elton John and Dua Lipa, had of it been a winner.
But the Aussies faced stiff competition from the might of the fan armies mustering behind Harry Styles, Taylor Swift and KPop heroes BTS and Blackpink.
The leading nominees for this year’s VMAs in New Jersey were recent Splendour In The Grass headliner Jack Harlow, pop gamechanger Lil Nas X and hip hop god Kendrick Lamar with seven nods a piece.
Harlow and Lil Nas X walked away with four gongs for their collaboration Industry Baby. Harlow also won a gong for Song of the Summer with First Class.
Pop queen Doja Cat and pop prince Harry Styles were nominated for six a piece. Styles won Album of the Year and Best Pop.
Other mutli-nominees included Latin superstar Bad Bunny, the singular social conscience queen Lizzo and the perennial awards guy Ed Sheeran.
Rapper and VMAs co-host Nicki Minaj was honoured with the Vanguard award while the perennial party starters Red Hot Chili Peppers were this year’s Global Icons.
While the fans may be invested in their faves taking home a trophy, the rest of the world is only interested in the potentially viral performances.
Who will bring the drama on the night?
Eminem and Snoop Dogg were in pole position with their “metaverse-inspired” collab while Minaj has form for going wild on the VMAs stage.
K-Pop stars Blackpink, whose latest single Pink Venom just topped the ARIA charts this week, may have owned social media courtesy of their Blink fandom when they take the stage.
MTV AWARD NOMINEES & WINNERS
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO/Republic
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was“ – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “brutal” – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records — WINNER
BEST NEW ARTIST
Baby Keem – Columbia Records
Dove Cameron – Disruptor Records / Columbia Records — WINNER
GAYLE – Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
Latto – Streamcut / RCA Records
Måneskin – Arista Records
SEVENTEEN – PLEDIS Entertainment/Geffen Records
BEST ROCK
Foo Fighters – “Love Dies Young” – RCA Records
Jack White – “Taking Me Back” – Third Man Records
Muse – “Won’t Stand Down” – Warner Records
Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Black Summer” – Warner Records — WINNER
Shinedown – “Planet Zero” – Elektra Music Group
Three Days Grace – “So Called Life” – RCA Records
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Adele – 30
Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Drake – Certified Lover Boy
Harry Styles – Harry’s House — WINNER
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Latto – “P*ssy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records — WINNER
Rina Sawayama – “This Hell” – Dirty Hit
Stromae – ”Fils de joie” – Mosaert Label / The Darkroom / Interscope Records
PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
September 2021: Griff – “One Night” – Warner Records
October 2021: Remi Wolf – “Sexy Villain” – Island Records
November 2021: Nessa Barrett – “i hope ur miserable until ur dead” – Warner Records
December 2021: SEVENTEEN – “Rock With You” – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records — WINNER
January 2021: Mae Muller – “Better Days” – Capitol Records UK
February 2022: GAYLE – “abcdefu” – Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
March 2022: Sheneesa – “R U That” – Rich Immigrants / Interscope Records
April 2022: Omar Apollo – “Tamagotchi” – Warner Records
May 2022: Wet Leg – “Chaise Longue” – Domino Recording Company
June 2022: Muni Long – “Baby Boo” – Supergiant Records LLC / Def Jam Recording
July 2022: Doechii – “Persuasive” – Top Dog Entertainment / Capitol Records
BEST COLLABORATION
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO/Republic
Elton John & Dua Lipa – “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records - WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
Post Malone & The Weeknd – “One Right Now” – Mercury Records / Republic Records
ROSALÍA ft. The Weeknd – “LA FAMA” – Columbia Records
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “STAY” – Columbia Records
BEST K-POP
BTS – “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” – BIGHIT Music / Geffen Records
ITZY – “LOCO” – JYP Entertainment
LISA – “LALISA” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records — WINNER
SEVENTEEN – “HOT” – PLEDIS Entertainment/Geffen Records
Stray Kids – “MANIAC” – JYP Entertainment
TWICE – “The Feels” – JYP Entertainment
BEST METAVERSE PERFORMANCE
BLACKPINK The Virtual | PUBG – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records — WINNER
BTS | Minecraft – BIGHIT Music / Geffen Records
Charli XCX | Roblox – Atlantic Records
Justin Bieber – An Interactive Virtual Experience | Wave – Def Jam
Rift Tour ft. Ariana Grande | Fortnite – Republic Records
Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience | Roblox – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
BEST HIP-HOP
Eminem & Snoop Dogg – “From The D 2 The LBC” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Future ft. Drake, Tems – “WAIT FOR U” – Freebandz / Epic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Latto – “Big Energy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby – “Do We Have A Problem?” – Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records — WINNER
Pusha T – “Diet Coke” – G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam
BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Envolver” – Warner Records — WINNER
Bad Bunny – “Tití Me Preguntó” – Rimas Entertainment
Becky G X KAROL G – “MAMIII” – Kemosabe Records / Sony Music Latin / RCA Records
Daddy Yankee – “REMIX” – Republic Records
Farruko – “Pepas” – Sony Music US Latin
J Balvin & Skrillex – “In Da Getto” – Sueños Globales, LLC /Universal Music Latino / Asylum Records UK
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Avril Lavigne ft. blackbear – “Love It When You Hate Me” – Elektra Music Group / DTA Records
Imagine Dragons x JID – “Enemy” – KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records
Machine Gun Kelly ft. WILLOW – “emo girl” – Bad Boy / Interscope Records
Måneskin – “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE” – Arista Records - WINNER
Panic! At The Disco – “Viva Las Vengeance” – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
Twenty One Pilots – “Saturday” – Fueled By Ramen / Elektra Music Group
WILLOW, Avril Lavigne ft. Travis Barker – “G R O W” – MSFTSMusic / Roc Nation Records
BEST LONGFORM VIDEO
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Foo Fighters – Studio 666 – RCA Records
Kacey Musgraves – star-crossed – Interscope Records / MCA Nashville
Madonna – Madame X – Interscope Records
Olivia Rodrigo – driving home 2 u – Geffen Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records — WINNER
SONG OF SUMMER
Bad Bunny and Cehncho Corleone – Me Porto Bonito
Beyonce – Break My Soul
Charlie Puth ft. Jung Kook of BTS – Left and Right
Doja Cat – Vegas
Future ft. Drake, Tems – Wait for U
Harry Styles – Late Night Talking
Jack Harlow – First Class — WINNER
Kane Brown – Grand
Latto x Mariah Carey ft. DJ Khlead – Big Energy (Remix)
Lizzo – About Damn Time
Marshmellow x Khalid – Numb
Nicki Minaj – Super Freaky Girl
Nicky Youre, dazy – Sunroof
Post Malone with Doja Cat – I like You (A Happier Song)
ROSALĺA –Bizcochito
Steve Lacy – Bad Habit
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blackpink
BTS — WINNER
City Girls
Foo Fighters
Imagine Dragons
Måneskin
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Silk Sonic
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment — WINNER
Drake – OVO/Republic
Ed Sheeran – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – Columbia Records
Jack Harlow – Generation Now / Atlantic Records
Lil Nas X – Columbia Records
Lizzo – Atlantic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
Adele – “Easy On Me” – Columbia Records
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records — WINNER
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Elton John & Dua Lipa – “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “STAY” – Columbia Records
BEST POP
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records — WINNER
Lizzo – “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “traitor” – Geffen Records
BEST R&B
Alicia Keys – “City of Gods (Part II)” – AKW
Chlöe – “Have Mercy” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
H.E.R. – “For Anyone” – RCA Records
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool/RCA Records
Summer Walker, SZA & Cardi B – “No Love (Extended Version)” – LVRN / Interscope Records
The Weeknd – “Out Of Time” – XO / Republic Records — WINNER
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Camila Cabello ft. Ed Sheeran – “Bam Bam” – Epic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records — WINNER
Kendrick Lamar – “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records
BEST DIRECTION
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Ed Sheeran – “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records — WINNER
BEST ART DIRECTION
Adele – “Oh My God” – Columbia Records
Doja Cat – “Get Into It (Yuh)” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Drake ft. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO / Republic Records
Kacey Musgraves – “simple times” – Interscope Records / MCA Nashville
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records — WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Billie Eilish – “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Coldplay X BTS – “My Universe” – Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 5” – pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records — WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa – “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – “STAY” – Columbia Records
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
BTS – “Permission to Dance” – BIGHIT Music/Geffen Records
Doja Cat – “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
FKA twigs ft. The Weeknd – “Tears In The Club” – Atlantic Records
Harry Styles – “As It Was” – Columbia Records
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – “INDUSTRY BABY” – Columbia Records — WINNER
Normani ft. Cardi B – “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
BEST EDITING
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – “family ties” – Columbia Records
Doja Cat – “Get Into It (Yuh)” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “brutal” – Geffen Records
ROSALÍA – “SAOKO” – Columbia Records — WINNER
Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) – Republic Records
The Weeknd – “Take My Breath” – XO / Republic Records
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