Taylor Swift is set to debut 'Patient Zero' video at MTV VMAs after breaking two Spotify records in a single day

From the Newshound archive · first published 26 September 2026 · last updated 27 September 2026.

Taylor Swift broke two Spotify records on Friday after releasing her new single 'Patient Zero' and expanded album 'The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore', becoming 2026's most-streamed female artist in a single day. She will debut the 'Patient Zero' music video — starring Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson — at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, where she will also receive the inaugural MTV Artist Director award. Critical reaction to the extended album has been lukewarm, with multiple outlets awarding it two stars.

The four new tracks include 'Cleveland!', a direct response to critics of her marriage to NFL star Travis Kelce, named after his hometown.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a self-described devoted Swiftie, offered a muted verdict: 'Overall decent. No smash hits.'