Taylor Swift and Post Malone started the 2024 MTV VMAs by accepting the first of many awards for their collaboration "Fortnight," the lead single off Swift's album The Tortured Poets Department. Both stars were there to accept the Moonperson, and the pair spent the acceptance speech giving each other their flowers.
The "Cruel Summer" singer began her speech by giving remembrance to those who lost their lives and loved ones during 9/11, before thanking the people who worked with her on the video. Addressing the Circles singer by his real name—Austin Richard Post, for anyone wondering—Swift referenced his recent run collaborating with artists like Beyoncé, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen.
"There is a very clear reason why Post Malone is everyone in music's favorite person to collaborate with," she said, addressing her friend. "And it is because you are so ridiculously talented. You are so versatile and you're the most down-to-earth person. Honestly, so unfailingly polite. It has taken me forever to get him to stop calling me, ma'am."
The folklore singer then stepped aside and asked Malone if he had anything to say, to which he replied a quick, "Yes, ma'am."
"Taylor is ... ugh ... I'm at an absolute loss for words," the "LEVII'S JEANS" singer began. "Absolutely one of the most kind and talented people I've ever had the honor of knowing. Just the amount of work and care and love that she puts into everything she does."
"I watched her tied up to the operating table thing in the music video and she was just directing the music video from there and it was pretty badass," he continued. "I just wanted to say thank you so very much for listening, and thank you so very much, Taylor."
Swift has directed several of her music videos over the years, since first stepping behind the camera as a co-director for "Mine" in 2010. She also co-directed the Lover-era music videos for "Me!," "You Need to Calm Down," and the titular track, before helming "The Man" as a solo effort. Since then, Swift has directed most of her videos herself, including her 2021 filmmaking debut All Too Well: The Short Film.
The pop superstar made history at this year's VMAs, becoming the most-awarded solo artist ever. She was nominated for 12 awards going into the ceremony and won seven, bringing her total Moonpersons from throughout her career up from 23 to 30, beating Beyoncé's record as a solo artist at 25.
Among the hitmaker's wins was the coveted Video of the Year award, which "Fortnight" was up for. By securing the prize, Swift became the first artist to win in the category five times.
