Here’s Everything You Missed From The 2023 Video Music Awards
The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards return with their most global show yet featuring Taylor Swift, Anitta, Tomorrow x Together, Karol G, Stray Kids, Global Icon honoree Diddy, and Video Vanguard honoree Shakira. Pop Culture Planet contributor Paola Cardenas shares the best moments from the biggest night for music videos.
Vampire Glitches
Olivia Rodrigo took the stage to sing “vampire” off of her new album Guts. The performance opened with her sitting in a forest-like setting in a red two piece and transforms into intentional technical glitches, mimicking the music video.
She runs off stage as the song fades out into her new revenge song “get him back!” Olivia is joined by backup singers and dancers in the same two piece in pink.
Taylor Swift Sweeps Awards
Taylor Swift fans rejoice, the superstar won big last night! She took home nine wins, including Best Pop, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Direction, Show of the Summer, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Album of the Year, and, of course, the biggest award of the night Video of the Year.
While she thanked her team for their endless support during her acceptance speeches, she also addressed how her fans validate her favorite part of songwriting. “When I go on tour and I’ve got a stadium singing the words back to me, it brings to me a relaxing feeling that maybe we all have the same issues,” she said, talking about connecting through our mutual feelings of insecurity.
She made VMA history for the most awards ever received in one night and also second-most overall wins, as well as the only solo female artist to win Best Director for directing herself two times in a row.
*NSYNC Reunites
Millenials who grew up on the hits “Bye, Bye, Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me” were definitely losing their minds when *NSYNC reunited at the VMAs for the first time in a decade. The last time they got together was another iconic MTV moment as Justin Timberlake received the Video Vanguard Award in 2013.
JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Lance Bass joined Timberlake to present Taylor Swift with the award for Best Pop. We were all Swift, wondering, “What do they have planned together?” Perhaps this was a stunt to promote Timberlake’s new film Trolls Band Together, which reveals his character Branch used to be in a boy band with his brothers.
Demi Rocks
Demi Lovato returns to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2017. With her new rock album Revamped releasing on September 15, she performs a rock medley of her three most popular songs: “Heart Attack,” “Sorry Not Sorry,” and “Cool for the Summer” in a latex, off-the-shoulder dress.
Cardi and Meg Share The Stage Again
Remember when Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion performed their hit song “WAP” together at the 2021 VMAs? The two are back at it again, this time performing their new song “Bongos.”
Both dressed in royal blue carnival-inspired outfits, they bring energy and colorful visuals to give the performance of a lifetime.
New Music From Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj performs her new song off her upcoming “Pink Friday 2” album, coming out November 17. The performance was one to watch as she performs solo in a chill stage design.
Rema and Selena Gomez Win First Afro-Beats Award
This years VMAs introduce a new category, Best Afro-Beats, to honor the rise of the genre in mainstream media. Nigerian artist Rema took home this award with Selena Gomez for their song “Calm Down,” that has over a billion streams on Spotify. Rema thanked those who started Afro-beats and paved the way for more artists to engage with the genre.
Meanwhile, fans couldn’t get enough of Gomez’s reactions in the audience while watching the show.
Stray Kids Humble Win
Stray Kids won Best K-pop, marking their first ever win at the VMAs. As they announced their name, the boys get up slowly confused, shocked they won, asking, “Is that us?” The South Korean boy band humbly accepted the award and thanks their fans for all their support.
Later in the night, they lit up their stage debut performing “S-Class.” From the amazing choreography to the visuals, Stray Kids made their presence known on the stage.
Doja Cat Goes Demon
Doja Cat performs “Attention,” “Paint the Town Red,” and “Demons” off her new album Scarlet. She started in the audience and slowly made her way to the stage with red painted devil backup dancers. Regardless of fan reactions, Doja remains unapologetic.
French Montana Gives Back
Moroccan-American rapper French Montana took the time to announce a emergency relief fund he’s partnering with Global Citizen for to support the victims of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Morocco.
La Reina de Musica Latina
The biggest performance of the night was Shakira, making history as the first South American artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award. It was also her first performance at the VMAs in 17 years. Her ten minute non-stop performance encompassed her most popular hits from “Hips Don’t Lie” to “BZRP Music Sessions #53.”
With 95 million selling records worldwide, Shakira’s impact and career reaches far and wide. Her performance had the audience on their feet, dancing, and hip shaking along to the “reina de musica Latina.”
Diddy Proves He’s a Global Icon
Mary J. Blige introduces Diddy as the recipient of Global Icon Award. He was supported by his son and daughter as he performed “I’ll Be Missing You,” “I Need a Girl Pt.2,” and “Bad Boy for Life” with high energy and attitude that had the audience rapping along. Diddy also took the time to promote his upcoming album set to release this Friday.
Renee Rapp Takes The Stage
Rising star Renee Rapp performs “Too Well” and “Pretty Girls” on the VMAs Extended Play Stage. Rapp began her Broadway debut in Mean Girls before starring in The Sex Lives of College Girls and has since flooded everyone’s social radar with her pop ballad music.
K-Pop Meets Brazil
Anitta joined Tomorrow X Together on the stage to perform their new collaboration “Back for More.” TXT’s insane choreography mixed with Anitta’s Brazilian flair was an amazing combination of two cultures.
Peso Pluma Shows Off His Streetstyle
Peso Pluma, the 24-year-old Mexican musician, makes his VMAs stage debut with the song “Lady Gaga” while dressed in a big puffer jacket and baggy pants. Known for enhancing traditional corridos into mainstream, he captured the hearts of many Mexicans and Latinos around the world.
Best New Artist
Ice Spice takes home one of the most coveted awards of the night Best New Artist. The fan voted award had her in good company alongside Renee Rapp and Peso Pluma.
MTV celebrates 50 years of Hip-Hop
The VMAs wrapped up with a celebration of hip-hop's 50th anniversary. It featured host Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and LL Cool J. Due to the program running longer than scheduled, this performance gave the audience and viewers at home watching the energy they needed to continue the night to see Swift win Video of the Year.
