Taylor Swift paid tribute to the "ultimate showgirl" as she accepted the Video of the Year award at the MTV VMAs on Sunday for The Fate of Ophelia. The 36-year-old took the stage at Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles and dedicated the prize to late country icon Dolly Parton.
A heartfelt dedication
Dolly's death in August at the age of 80 stunned the world, with many paying special tribute to the star at the time. Taylor added her own special praise in her acceptance speech.
She said: "I want to thank and dedicate this award to one person without whom this wouldn’t be happening, and that person is the ultimate showgirl, Dolly Parton."
"Every single song that she wrote, her storytelling was so vivid and so rich. Listening to her songs, it’s like watching the best music video you have ever seen in your life, every single time you hear what she’s written."
More VMAs moments
The MTV VMAs also featured another special Dolly Parton tribute. Country star Kacey Musgraves performed the classic hit I Will Always Love You.
Elsewhere at the VMAs, Taylor accepted the first-ever Artist Director Honors. But it was Madonna who was the biggest winner on the night, taking home seven gongs in total, including three onstage wins: artist of the year, best dance (her Confessions II short film) and best collaboration ("Bring Your Love" with Sabrina Carpenter).
Other winners included LISA, who took home the first prize of the night as she won best pop for "Dream" featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi. Sienna Spiro was named best new artist after being voted for by fans throughout the show.
