Taylor Swift will not be attending the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, despite being nominated for Artist of the Year. The VMAs will be held on Sunday, September 7, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. This marks the first time Swift has missed the event since 2021.

Swift is nominated for Artist of the Year alongside Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, and The Weeknd. Notably, Taylor and Beyoncé are currently tied as the most-awarded artists in VMAs history, with 30 wins each. A win for Swift would break this tie.

Several factors may be contributing to Swift's decision to skip the VMAs. She is gearing up for the release of her new album, "The Life of a Showgirl," on October 3. This album will be eligible for awards next year.

Another potential reason is her recent engagement to Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. The couple announced their engagement last month. Kelce has a game with the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paolo, Brazil, on September 5. It's possible Swift will be in Brazil supporting Kelce.

Swift last attended the VMAs in 2024. During the 2024 ceremony, she publicly acknowledged Travis Kelce as her boyfriend while accepting the Video of the Year award for "Fortnight" with Post Malone. In 2022, she announced her "Midnights" era while accepting the same award for "All Too Well".

The 2025 MTV VMAs will be hosted by LL Cool J and will air live on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.