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Culture > Entertainment

Why Wasn’t Taylor Swift At The 2025 VMAs? What To Know

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On Sept. 7, MTV’s annual Video Music Awards brought tons of celebs to NYC. But there was one notable showgirl missing — despite many fans hoping she would make an appearance. So, why wasn’t Taylor Swift at the 2025 VMAs? Here’s what to know.

This marked the first time Swift had missed the VMAs since 2021, so Swifties were understandably confused about her absence, especially since she was nominated for a pretty big award: Artist Of The Year. However, when the red carpet arrivals were all said and done, and there was no sign of Swift, fans had to resign themselves to the fact that she wasn’t coming. And TBH, she had some good reasons not to.

For starters, Swift is only weeks away from releasing her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. She revealed the news while starring on her fiancĂ© Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce’s Aug. 13 New Heights podcast episode, giving fans something to look forward to for the next few weeks. This will be Swift’s first album release since The Tortured Poets Department in April 2024, which broke multiple streaming records. The Life of a Showgirl is set to release on Oct. 3, 2025, and with such a major release around the corner, it’s possible that’s why she chose to sit out this year’s VMAs.

Also, alongside her next album, Swift also recently announced her engagement to Kelce on Aug. 26 — which may have something to do with her not attending the VMAs as well. In case you somehow missed it, the couple shared the news via Instagram with a joint post captioned, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The now-viral post featured a romantic garden proposal and a stunning custom diamond ring. By skipping the VMAs, Swift may simply be choosing to enjoy this new chapter more privately, keeping her focus on her personal life instead of another award show. 

Plus, Swift’s fiancĂ© also had scheduling conflicts of his own, as his football team, the Kansas City Chiefs, just kicked off the NFL season in SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil, the same weekend as the VMAs. Although Swift did not attend that game, it’s possible the couple’s overlapping commitments may have affected their attendance.

While fans were hoping her absence wouldn’t stop her from breaking records, the Artist Of The Year award went to Lady Gaga, not Swift, ending Swift’s shot at becoming the single most-awarded solo artist in VMA history this year — she’s currently tied with BeyoncĂ© at 30 wins each. Of course,there’s always 2026…

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Krista Pulisic

Stony Brook '25

Krista Pulisic is a National Writer for Her Campus, where she contributes to the Culture and Style sections. She covers topics ranging from pop culture and fashion to media trends and college life, aiming to create stories that feel real and relatable to young women.

Krista recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she gained hands-on experience in news writing and digital storytelling, while exploring the evolving relationship between media and the public. She loves how media can spark conversation, bring people together, and tell stories that truly matter. Krista hopes to build a career in television where she can help create meaningful content, amplify voices that often go unheard, and be part of stories that stick with people long after the credits roll.

When she's not writing, Krista can usually be found at the gym or rewatching her favorite comfort shows. She also loves spending time at local coffee shops, often with her laptop open and an online shopping tab in the background. She has an eye for media trends and loves curating Pinterest boards that reflect her own personal style and interests. Whether she's exploring viral conversations or spotlighting emerging fashion trends, Krista brings creativity and curiosity to every story she tells.