Swift made her announcement in the final moments of the show, which was hosted by Nicki Minaj, Jack Harlow and LL Cool J.

“I’m so honoured to have been recognized alongside such amazing artists and directors,” the singer said as she accepted the night’s top prize.

“I’m just so proud of what we created and with every second of this moment, and we couldn’t have made this short film without the fans.”

“I wouldn’t be able to re-record my albums if it wasn’t for you… you gave me the confidence to do so,” she added.

Swift is currently re-recording her first five albums in an effort to reclaim control of her music after a falling out with music mogul Scooter Braun.

A re-recorded version of her 2012 album Red included a newly-extended version of All Too Well, the video for which won three VMAs in total.

The video for All Too Well, which stars Sadie Sink from Stranger Things and Dylan O’Brien from Teen Wolf, also won the best direction and best long-form video.

“Because you’ve been so generous, I thought it might be a fun moment to tell you that my brand new album comes out on October 21,” Swift told the audience.

She later revealed more information about the album on her Twitter account. Swift’s new album is described as a “collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams.”

The VMA show was sprinkled with digital appearances from actor Johnny Depp, who was projected onto the face of the VMAs’ famous Moon Man mascot.

“I needed the work,” the actor joked as the ceremony began, later adding that he was available for “birthdays, bat mitzvahs, weddings, wakes, anything you need… anything.”

The appearance came after Depp won a multi-million dollar defamation suit against former partner Amber Heard.

It is the latest step in Depp’s gradual return to the public eye. It was recently announced that he will play Jeanne Du Barry in the film Jeanne Du Barry, produced by the French company Why Not Productions, his first starring role since the trial.

In addition, he is preparing to direct his first feature film in 25 years, a biopic of the Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani.

Harry Styles was ‘just down the road’

British nominees largely lost out to US counterparts at this year’s awards, with only Harry Styles taking home a major prize with an album of the year.

Despite being “just down the road” performing at Madison Square Garden in New York, the 28-year-old apologized to fans for his absence from the show.

The VMAs were held less than an hour away, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

In a video message, he said, “Thank you so much for this award.” “I know this is a fan-voted award, so I’d like to thank all of my fans who voted, thank you so much, I wouldn’t be holding this without you.”

“I’m sorry I can’t join you on stage tonight; I’m about to go on stage just down the road, but I hope you have a wonderful evening.”

The Notes app came to Nicki’s rescue

Minaj was the recipient of this year’s video vanguard award, which recognises artists who have consistently produced creative and influential music videos.

As she made her entrance at the ceremony, the US rapper performed a medley of her songs, including Monster, Super Bass, and her current number one hit Super Freaky Girl, which samples the original Rick James classic.

Minaj claimed she had “never written a speech in her life,” but went offstage to retrieve her phone to read her notes as she accepted the award from members of her fan club, the Barbz.

She thanked artists such as Kanye West, Beyonce, Madonna, Britney Spears, and Rihanna for inspiring “me and my flow” and providing opportunities.

In her speech, she also paid tribute to late performers Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Nipsey Hussle.

Eminem and Snoop Dogg gave a trippy “metaverse” performance of their collaborative track From The D 2 The LBC.

At the awards, the rap legends performed live on a sofa, with Snoop smoking a massive joint before the performance became animated.

Before returning to the live show for an explosive finale, the pair transformed into cartoon versions of themselves as well as projections of Bored Ape NFTs.

The song is the pair’s first collaboration in over 20 years, and the performance is their first at the VMAs in over a decade.

It will be their third public appearance together in 2022, following their appearance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February.

Tributes to Taylor Hawkins

Red Hot Chili Peppers were presented with the global icon by US comedy-stoner duo Cheech and Chong.

The band’s bassist Flea dedicated the band’s award to Taylor Hawkins, the late drummer of the Foo Fighters.

Hawkins, who died in March aged 50, played with Foo Fighters for more than two decades.

“There’s another musical legend and his name is Taylor Hawkins… I miss him every day,” Flea told the audience. “Fly on brother.”

Hawkins had opioids, marijuana and other drugs in his system before he died. Foo Fighters will host a tribute concert to the late drummer at Wembley Stadium on 3 September.

The winners in full

Global icon award: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Video vanguard award: Nicki Minaj

Video of the year: Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (10-minute version) (Taylor’s version)

Artist of the year: Bad Bunny

Song of the year: Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever

Best new artist: Dove Cameron

Push performance of the year: Seventeen – Rock With You

Best collaboration: Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: Industry Baby

Best pop: Harry Styles – As It Was

Best hip-hop: Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby – Do We Have a Problem?

Best rock: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Black Summer

Best alternative: Måneskin – I Wanna Be Your Slave

Best Latin: Anitta – Envolver

Best R&B: The Weeknd – Out of Time

Best K-Pop: Lisa – Lalisa

Video for good: Lizzo – About Damn Time

Best Metaverse performance: Blackpink The Virtual

Best longform video: Taylor Swift – All Too Well (10-minute version) (Taylor’s version)

Best cinematography: Harry Styles – As It Was

Best direction: Taylor Swift: All Too Well (10-minute version) (Taylor’s version)

Best art direction: Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – Industry Baby

Best visual effects: Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – Industry Baby

Best choreography: Doja Cat – Woman

Best editing: Rosalía – Saoko

Group of the year: BTS

Song of the Summer: Jack Harlow – First Class

Album of the year: Harry Styles – Harry’s House