Taylor Swift wins top prize, announces new album at MTV VMAs

Taylor Swift took home the top prize at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday before she closed out the show with a surprisingly big announcement: Her new album.

“I thought it would be a fun moment to tell you that my new album comes out Oct. 21,” said Swift after she won video of the year for her project “All Too Well: The Short Film” (10 minute version), which claimed best long form video and direction. “I will tell you more at midnight.”

Swift said on social media that her upcoming 10th studio album would be called “Midnights,” which she says will involve “stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life.” Her upcoming album comes after she released “Folklore” and “Evermore.” Both projects came out five months apart two years ago. “Folklore” won album of the year at the 2021 Grammy Awards. The pop star’s reveal came at the end of her acceptance speech where she praised the other women in the category – which included Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo.

“I know with every second of this moment that we wouldn´t be able to make this short film if it weren´t for you – the fans,” she said. “I wouldn´t be able to re-record my albums if it wasn´t for you. You emboldened me to do that.” Swift spoke earlier about creating her first short film, giving thanks to several including actors Sadie Sink and Dylan O´Brien who starred in the project. “We put our entire hearts into this,” Swift said.

Rapper Jack Harlow made his mark throughout the entire show. He kicked off the show with a performance inside a mock airplane walking down aisle while performing his hit song “First Class,” which was sampled by Fergie´s “Glamorous.” The rapper joined Fergie onstage – who wore a sparkling silver dress with the red words “First Class” – while she sang her 2006 jam.

“Thank you to Fergie for coming out with me tonight and clearing this song,” said Harlow after “First Class” won the award for song of the summer later in the show. “The beauty of this song is that people don´t realize it´s so hip-hop because of the sampling. To bring Fergie into the mix in this way means the world to me. It´s truly full circle. `Glamorous´ was one of the most important songs of my childhood.”

During the show, Depp made a surprise appearance as the Moon Man nearly three months after the verdict in his defamation trial with his former wife Amber Heard. The 59-year-old actor appeared to float from the ceiling while wearing the iconic astronaut outfit with his face digitally inserted into custom´s helmet. “And you know what? I needed the work,” Depp told the audience at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Lizzo had Taylor Swift dancing out of her seat while she performed her new single “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready).” Lizzo won an award for video for good for “About Damn Time.”

Harlow´s name was called to come right back onstage to collect the show´s first award for his guest appearance on Lil Nas X´s song “Industry Baby,” which won for best collaboration, art direction and visual effects. Harlow, Lil Nas X and Kendrick Lamar each entered the awards tied for leading nominees with seven apiece.