Taylor Swift premiered the music video for her latest single “Patient Zero” during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Swift unveiled the video upon accepting the inaugural artist director honour. It stars Swift, alongside Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell — Johnson introduced Swift with the honour onstage. The music video features Johnson as Farrell’s current lover. It’s evident from the video that it’s not a healthy relationship. Throughout the video, Swift mirrors Johnson, as she sings about knowing what the actress is going through because she was the man’s “patient zero.”
After an incident at an event, Farrell makes a comment to Johnson that he thought “she was different,” which leads the actress to ask who she’s different from. The video cuts to Swift living out exactly what Johnson’s been living through, revealing that Farrell poisoned Swift, leading to her death. The music video ends where it began, Johnson looking at a grave, only it’s now revealed that it’s Swift’s grave. The actress leaves a rose atop the gravestone for the woman.
“Patient Zero” is one of four new songs on the singer’s special deluxe edition of her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl: Encore Edition. She released the new version of the album on Friday, which featured the other new songs “Babylon,” “Pink Clouding”, and “Cleveland!”
The 2026 VMAs kicked off with a cameo-filled performance from pop icon Madonna — Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Sombr, Seth Rogen and more made appearances throughout, with the first two performing alongside Madonna. It was the first time the legendary singer has performed at the award show in 23 years.
Other performers at the show included Lisa, Sienna Spiro, GENER8ION, Kacey Musgraves, Teddy Swims, Sombr, Gunna, Yung Lean and more. Taylor Swift received the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honours. Nirvana was honoured with the iconic Video Vanguard Award. The show also included tributes for the late Dolly Parton and George Michael.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
