Taylor Swift not attending 2025 MTV VMAs, despite top nomination

Swifites may have had Taylor Swift appearing at the MTV Video Music Awards on their wish list, but the pop superstar will miss the 2025 show.

The singer-songwriter will not appear Sunday night, Sept. 7, at New York's UBS Arena for the awards show, a source familiar with the situation but unable to speak publicly told USA TODAY.

Swift is up for artist of the year against Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Morgan Wallen and Lady Gaga.

USA TODAY has reached out to the VMAs and Swift's representative for confirmation.

The 2025 MTV VMAs will broadcast at 8 p.m. ET / 5 PT on CBS, MTV and Paramount+.

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Last year, Swift thanked fiancé Travis Kelceduring her "Fortnight" video of the year acceptance speech.

"When I'd finish a take, and I'd say cut, and we'd be done with that take, I'd always just hear someone like cheering and like 'whoo' from across the studio," she said. "And that one person was Travis. Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic."

Swift's relationship with the VMAs has been a constant in pop culture for nearly two decades. Swift earned her first Moon Person in 2009 for "You Belong With Me," though the moment was famously interrupted by Kanye West. She returned to the stage in 2010 to perform "Innocent," a song she penned about West and that very first night.

Over the years, Swift has used the VMAs to launch new eras, from her 2014 "Shake It Off"performance to her 2022 announcement of her "Midnights" album.

She swept the 2023 awards with seven wins. Cameras captured her dancing alongside Ice Spice, reuniting with NSYNC onstage and celebrating her best pop video win for "Anti-Hero."

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Swift's 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," will be out Oct. 3.