Swift had entered the ceremony tied with Beyoncé at 30 Moonman trophies. Her new award, recognising her work behind the camera in visual storytelling, took her total past Beyoncé’s record.

The 36-year-old singer also won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia”, dedicating the award to late country music legend Dolly Parton.

Swift praised Parton’s songwriting and storytelling, saying every song she wrote was vivid and describing how the country star handled fame with “grace and love and gratitude”.

Swift also used the ceremony to premiere the music video for her new single “Patient Zero”, starring actors Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson. The song tells the story of a toxic relationship and a woman being warned about her partner.

However, Swift did not win some of the ceremony’s biggest prizes. Madonna was named Artist of the Year.

Madonna recalled her appearance at the first MTV Video Music Awards, where she briefly exposed herself during a performance. She said her then-manager had warned that her career was over, adding that he was no longer her manager.

The 68-year-old pop star also opened this year’s ceremony with her first VMA performance since her famous 2003 appearance, when she kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera during a medley.

Madonna performed “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter before joining Charli XCX for “Danceteria”. Madonna and Carpenter later won Best Collaboration and joked about how Madonna had contacted Carpenter through social media to propose working together.

Rock band Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award, becoming the first group to receive the honour in more than two decades.

Bass player Krist Novoselic accepted the award after a retrospective of the band’s music videos. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain died by suicide in 1994, following the success of albums including “Nevermind” and “In Utero”.

Blackpink member LISA won Best Pop for “Dream”, featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi.

The ceremony also featured tributes to Dolly Parton and George Michael, with Kacey Musgraves leading the tribute to Parton. Teddy Swims, Sombr and Raye paid tribute to Michael, marking 40 years since the release of his landmark album “Faith”.

Rapper Snoop Dogg hosted the ceremony, which was broadcast on CBS and MTV.