Taylor Swift stole the spotlight at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, but not just because of her record-breaking wins. The pop star turned heads when she stepped onto the red carpet in a dazzling silver dress.
As Swift graciously accepted her many awards throughout the night, her dress became a trending topic on platforms like X and Instagram. The dress featured an unusual, space-inspired detail— a spaceship design prominently displayed on the front.
One X fan raved, “The silver spaceship dress was such a showstopper! Taylor never fails to surprise and delight with her fashion choices.” Others, however, were left scratching their heads, with one user asking, “What’s on Taylor Swift’s dress?”
Taylor Swift accepts an award during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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The quirky design seemed to generate both admiration and confusion, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Swift’s already spectacular evening. On Instagram, comments included, “Taylor’s dress is a work of art,” and, “Taylor u are killing every damn look.”
Taylor Swift accepts an award during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
But as much as her outfit caught the public’s eye, it was only part of the story. While her dress made waves on social media, Swift’s historic achievements truly defined her night at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
Taylor Swift attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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The pop sensation took home seven awards, including Video of the Year for her hit song “Fortnight,” a collaboration with Post Malone under their joint project, Tortured Poets Department. This win was particularly special as it marked the third year in a row Swift has claimed the prestigious title, a feat no other artist has achieved.
Taylor Swift poses with her awards backstage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
It also extended her record for the most overall Video of the Year wins, bringing her total to five. Swift’s speech reflected her deep gratitude toward her fans. “To the fans, I’m always trying to figure out a way to say thank you to you for making my life what it is, ” she said.
Taylor Swift greets fans at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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She also thanked MTV for the opportunity to acknowledge her fans’ dedication, a nod to the audience who voted her to victory. Swift took a moment to gush over her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, who had been her biggest cheerleader throughout the music video’s production.
Taylor Swift onstage at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
“Something that I’ll always remember is that when I would finish a take and I’d say ‘cut,’ I would always hear someone cheering from across the studio,” she shared warmly. “That one person was my boyfriend, Travis. Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.”
Taylor Swift onstage at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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With this latest win, Swift entered the evening on the cusp of an even greater accomplishment. She matched Beyoncé as the most-awarded VMA winner in history. By the end of the night, Swift surpassed Beyoncé’s count as a solo artist, securing 25 wins compared to Beyoncé’s 23 solo trophies.
Beyonce accepts an award on stage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Award on August 28, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Though Beyoncé still holds the overall record — with her combined work as a solo artist and with Destiny’s Child — Swift’s remarkable night officially placed her in a league of her own in terms of solo career achievements.
Taylor Swift onstage at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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Adding to the excitement, Swift’s 2024 VMAs recognition came as she is gearing up for the final North American leg of her record-breaking “Eras Tour.” The tour, which has been nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, has solidified Swift’s place in music history.
Taylor Swift attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
This is not the first time Swift’s dress choice has made waves on social media. Earlier this year, the superstar musician experienced a slight wardrobe malfunction while performing for her fans on stage.
Taylor Swift performing during her Eras Tour concert in Stockholm, Sweden, posted on May 20, 2024 | Source: TikTok/evelinahansen1
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Footage from the third night of her Eras Tour concert in Stockholm, Sweden showed Swift’s flowy blue dress opening up to reveal her gold bralette and sparkly black shorts.
Taylor Swift experiencing a wardrobe malfunction during her Eras Tour concert in Stockholm, Sweden, posted on May 20, 2024 | Source: TikTok/evelinahansen1
The shocking moment happened when the blonde performer was just about to sit down at her piano and serenade the vast crowd. Handling the situation as best as she could, the “Shake It Off” artist quickly re-fastened her ensemble and sat down to give a sweet and exclusive rendition of her song “How Did It End?”
Taylor Swift experiencing a wardrobe malfunction during her Eras Tour concert in Stockholm, Sweden, posted on May 20, 2024 | Source: TikTok/evelinahansen1
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Despite Swift’s beautiful performance, which was met with nothing but ear-piercing screams of cheer and singalongs, many people who saw the video shared on TikTok by a concertgoer expressed disdain for the dress mishap.
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“Her shorts look like a diaper. So unflattering,” commented a social media user. Similarly, another person wrote, “Those look like granny panties…..look good on her .”
An eagle-eyed Instagrammer who speculated that Swift was trying to let on that she is expecting pondered, “Hmm.. looking kind of round on the lower abdomen. Is she trying to tell us something?”
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The wave of criticism continued with other people asserting that Swift may have purposefully allowed her dress to come undone. “It looks intentional,” said a Facebooker. Another added, “Well she is used to taking her clothes off soo.” Joining the vitriol bandwagon, someone else criticized, “She’s a hot mess [and] has been!”
Taylor Swift performing during The Eras Tour in Stockholm, Sweden on May 17, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Though the singer received a lot of flak for what happened, her beloved Swifties came to her rescue. “It happens! She handled it with grace ♥️ ,” commended a fan. Another admirer praised, “whatever she was wearing under it was nice too.”
Taylor Swift performing during The Eras Tour in Stockholm, Sweden on May 17, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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For someone who—as PR and brand expert Andy Barr puts it—”is playing a savvy game when it comes to dressing like an everyday person,” Swift’s style is often spotlighted in the media. According to fashion expert Clemmie Fieldsend, “Taylor never really dresses to the occasion,” despite her over a billion-dollar empire.
Taylor Swift spotted out in New York City on January 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
However, preferring a more demure and laid-back style does not mean that the “Love Story” talent is afraid to step out of her comfort zone from time to time. She is well-versed in leaving people guessing, whether that’s done through her music or choice of clothing.
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A popular fashion outlet that did a profile on her style earlier this year spoke about how Taylor Swift often uses what she wears to indicate that she has something in the works.
In this way, she sometimes uses clothes to represent what is taking place in her life, like when she proudly wears her footballer beau’s team sweater while supporting him at his games.
Taylor Swift cheering during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers in Kansas City, Missouri on October 22, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
When Swift is not busy being the supportive girlfriend at Travis Kelce‘s matches, both she and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end spend their time doing other adorable couple activities like going away on vacation together. The duo was spotted in the Bahamas in March, where Swift sparked public speculation that she may have a little bun in the oven.
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Pregnancy rumors didn’t come out of nowhere. They started when eagle-eyed social media users saw vacay snaps of the couple where Swift wore a yellow bikini, leaving her abdomen on full display. Fans started putting pieces together like they were solving a mystery.
One comment was from someone claiming to be an obstetrician, saying, “Her proportions would suggest she’s pregnant.“ And just like that, the internet was abuzz with theories and guesses.
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Public reaction was significantly varied. On one hand, you had folks expressing things like, “She looks pregnant and sloppy.” Then there were others defending Swift’s appearance. They praised her for rocking “a normal regular body” and complimented her decision to wear a bikini with musings like, “waw first time i sa[w] her in bikini .”
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Adding to the mix, Kelce had previously dropped some hints on his podcast, “New Heights.” He hinted about loving the idea of having a baby, which, concerning the timeframe of the rumors and when he said what he did, just threw more fuel on the speculation fire.
Despite all the buzz, however, Swift and Kelce haven’t divulged much about what’s happening. They have neither confirmed nor denied the baby rumors. Instead, they keep everyone guessing with every picture or appearance.
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This whole ordeal about whether they’re expecting or not has just added to the crazy amount of attention the couple has gotten since they started dating, making everyone even more curious about their relationship.
Meanwhile, for the duo, it’s just another instance of dealing with rumors and the spotlight, which shows how blurry the line can get between their private life and what we all see.