A Breakdown of the 2023 VMAs
The MTV Video Music Awards were held Tuesday night at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, and as per usual there are several star-studded moments to take a look at, so here is the breakdown:
– Taylor Swift dominated the night with the most nominations going in and leaving with 9 awards. Anti-Hero won four awards including Video of the Year, which set records with this being her fourth year winning that award. She also took home Artist of the Year.
– Best New Artist went to Ice Spice after the breakout year she has seen with hits like Munch, Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2, and Barbie World from the new Barbie movie.
– Incredible first time performances were given by Metro Boomin, Peso Pluma, and Kelsea Ballerini.
– Shakira is now the first South American artist to win the Video Vanguard Award and also took the stage for the first time in 17 years with hit songs “Whenever, Whereever” and “Hips Don’t Lie.”
– With the release of her highly anticipated album GUTS last week, Olivia Rodrigo owned the stage with “Vampire” as her team recreated the music video by mimicking stage malfunctions with pyrotechnics and falling backdrops, which had many unknowing audience members on the edge of their seat. That then transitioned into her new song “get him back!”
– After their highly successful collaboration on WAP, Cardi B and Meghan Thee Stallion gave an electrifying performance for their new song “Bongos.”
– Demi Lovato gave a glimpse of what to expect from her coming rock album REVAMPED that is set to release this Friday the 15th. With her powerhouse vocals, she brought the house down with the rock version of her hit songs “Heart Attack,” Sorry Not Sorry,” and “Cool For the Summer.”
– Doja Cat performed “Pain the Town Red” and “Demons” with a back-up dancers who were seemingly covered in blood that nodded to her new album Scarlet that will come out Sept. 22.
– For the first time in almost a decade, all members of NSYNC– Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick – reunited to present the award for Best Pop Video which went to Taylor Swift, who had a fan girl moment herself over the ‘90s boy band.
– The night’s emcee, Nicki Minaj also performed her new balled “Last Time I Saw you” and a new song from “Pink Friday 2” that is set to release in November becoming her first album in five years.
All in all, it was an amazing night for performances and awards, and finally started to feel similar to a pre-pandemic award show. Many fans were happy to get a glimpse into songs and albums that are going to come out later this year as they patiently await their arrival.
