Published: September 25, 2026 · 1:47 AM EDT
The “Anti-Hero” singer directs the new video featuring two Hollywood stars and Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, with its September 27 premiere following the release of The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore
Taylor Swift will premiere the official music video for her new single “Patient Zero” during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on September 27. The singer directed the production, which stars Hollywood actors Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, with cinematography by Academy Award winner Emmanuel Lubezki, known for his work on The Revenant, Birdman and Gravity.
The announcement was made by CBS and MTV on September 24, accompanied by a 13-second preview unveiled on CBS Mornings. The full video will debut during the awards ceremony, which will air live from Los Angeles beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS, simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ Premium in the United States.
“Patient Zero” arrives September 25 via Republic Records as one of four new songs on Swift's expanded album, The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. The 16-track release also includes “Cleveland!,” “Pink Clouding” and “Babylon,” alongside the original 12 songs from her 2025 album.
The premiere coincides with Swift receiving the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, recognizing her work directing music videos. The new award brings her career total to 31 VMAs, moving her ahead of Beyoncé in the ceremony's all-time awards count. Swift also enters the 2026 ceremony with 11 competitive nominations.
Watch Taylor Swift’s official “The Fate of Ophelia” music video, directed by Swift herself and featured on The Life of a Showgirl, below:
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
IMAGE CREDIT: TAS Rights Management / Courtesy of CBS and MTV.
