Taylor Swift set a new VMAs record with her 31st victory, becoming the first Artist Director Honors award winner at the Video Music Awards hosted by Snoop Dogg on Sunday night.

Swift knew coming into the evening that she would be setting a new record, and she took smart advantage of the spotlight. On Friday, she released The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore , which included four new songs. Additionally, she debuted the video for one of those songs, “Patient Zero,” which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson, during Sunday’s show.

The Encore has received mixed reviews from critics. One magazine called it the encore that “ no one asked for ,” while others have been less harsh in their assessments, noting that Swift’s evolution as an artist continues.

Swift first appeared at the VMAs in 2008. She has received 85 total nominations, which gives her a better than one-in-three winning record.

What Is VMA Artist Director Honors?

MTV announced before the program that Swift would receive the inaugural VMA Artist Director Honors. The network described the award as one that honors artists for their work behind the camera to push creative boundaries and use advanced storytelling. Swift is the most-recognized artist director in VMAs history, Johnson said when she presented the award.

She is known for using the music video as a short narrative form, using long-form cinema techniques. “All Too Well: The Short Film” is perhaps the best example of her unique approach, which created separate chapters of the narrative and used dialogue during pauses.

Additionally, she has chosen to shoot on 35mm film and employ an aspect ration that looks more intimate than traditional music video shooting techniques.

Of course, Swift’s music is known for its Easter eggs, and so are her videos. She has woven different albums into the same timeline and used background props planned meticulously to symbolize different things her fans gleefully spot.

It was fitting, then, that the inaugural Artist Director Honors would help set a record for Swift.

Who Has Won The Most VMAs?

Taylor Swift has won the most VMAs. With Sunday night’s Artist Director Honors, Taylor Swift knew she would break her tie with Beyoncé. Entering the night, both artists had 30 VMAs.

Swift was also nominated for 11 awards at Sunday night’s ceremony, the second-most-recognized artist behind Madonna .