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\nMTV VMAs<\/a> producer Van Toffler on Taylor Swift’s Artist Director award:<\/p>\n
“Basically, a bunch of us \u2014 MTV employees, the producers, the production team \u2014 were looking at Taylor\u2019s body of work and her evolution. She\u2019s an artist who has thrived in front of the camera and behind the\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/qGquCyfJpi<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/raxtxS0O37<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) September 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Another MTV producer (Van Toffler) addressed comments another producer (Bruce Gillmer) made over the weekend about the new category (Artist Director Honors) that would recognize Swift\u2019s contributions as a music video director. \u201cThe Artist Director Honor really is an extension of the [Video] Vanguard [Award],\u201d Gillmer told The AP in an interview. \u201cAnd in many ways, even larger in stature because it was an idea that, quite frankly, the kernel of the idea came from external. I\u2019ll leave it at that.\u201d <\/p>\n
When asked about Gillmer\u2019s comment, Toffler “clarified” to Rolling Stone<\/i>, \u201cBasically, a bunch of us \u2014 MTV employees, the producers, the production team \u2014 were looking at Taylor\u2019s body of work and her evolution before establishing the award.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s an artist who has thrived in front of the camera and behind the camera, in all genres of music,\u201d he continued, adding, \u201cWhen I was running MTV Networks, CMT was part of my portfolio, and she was first honored there for \u2018Tim McGraw.\u2019 Then she came and did the show at Radio City, which was a memorable night. She\u2019s just evolved so much, and we felt this would be a great way to honor her work. So, we decided to do that as a group internally in the production team and reached out to her and her team. We\u2019re happy it worked out.\u201d <\/p>\n
So there you have it, MTV is backtracking on that “external” comment and saying it was just them all along.<\/p>\n
\nVMAs producer confirms the new Artist Director Honors being given to Taylor Swift at tonight’s MTV Video Music Awards “came from external” influences.https:\/\/t.co\/51znhpVq71<\/a>VMAs<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Entertainment Weekly (@EW) September 27, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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Sources:<\/b> 1<\/a> | 2<\/a><\/p>\n
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