Taylor Swift was one of the biggest chart stars to skip the MTV Video Music Awards.

The award-winning singer should have been there rubbing shoulders with the likes of Beyonce and Rihanna.

The question was on everyone’s lips – where was she?

Jury duty!

Photos have emerged of the Shake It Off singer on jury duty in her native Nashville, Tennessee.

There’s even a video clip of the star chatting to the other people doing their civic duty alongside her.

So we’re guessing that’s what kept Tay from the VMAs in the Big Apple last night.