MTV’s Video Music Awards 2023: A Night of Style and Star Power in New York
The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) unfolded on Wednesday night in New York City, with pop sensation Taylor Swift taking center stage as the leading nominee of the evening.
Megan Thee Stallion hosted the event, where pop icon Katy Perry was honored with the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, accompanied by a medley performance celebrating her extensive career.
Kicking off the night, Eminem, alongside Jelly Roll, set the tone for an exhilarating evening of performances. Other artists gracing the stage included Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Rauw Alejandro, Lenny Kravitz, and Sabrina Carpenter, all showcasing their talents in front of a star-studded audience.
Swift captured attention with a remarkable ten nominations, primarily for her playful black-and-white music video for the hit single “Fortnight” from her album “The Tortured Poets Department.” Close behind her was Post Malone, her featured collaborator on that track, with nine nominations.
Sabrina Carpenter, while celebrated for her summer anthem “Espresso,” and superstar Ariana Grande, along with Eminem, each landed six nominations ahead of the night’s festivities. SZA and Megan Thee Stallion also made their mark with five nominations each.
Nominees: A Complete List with Winners in Bold:
- Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”
- Billie Eilish – “Lunch”
- Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”
- Eminem – “Houdini”
- SZA – “Snooze”
- Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
Best New Artist:
- Ariana Grande
- Bad Bunny
- Eminem
- Sabrina Carpenter
- SZA
- Taylor Swift
Best Video of the Year:
- Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em”
- Jack Harlow – “Lovin On Me”
- Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
- Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
- Teddy Swims – “Lose Control”
Best Collaboration:
- Benson Boone
- Chappell Roan
- Gracie Abrams
- Shaboozey
- Teddy Swims
- Tyla
The night also spotlighted the newest singles making waves on the charts, such as Kaliii’s “Area Codes,” GloRilla’s “Lick or Sum,” and many more lined up for release through 2024.
The list of nominees continued, showcasing an extensive array of talent across multiple categories, with notable mentions for Best R&B and choreography in exciting videos that captured the essence of each artist’s vision.
Highlights in various categories included:
Best R&B:
- Alicia Keys – “Lifeline”
- Muni Long – “Made For Me”
- SZA – “Snooze”
- Tyla – “Water”
- Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good”
- Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”
As the evening progressed, performances captivated the audience, while various artists vied for top honors, each highlighting the vibrancy and diversity of today’s music scene.
The VMAs 2023 not only celebrated musical achievements but also showcased a spectacle of artistic expression, confirming once again the show’s reputation as a platform where music, fashion, and entertainment collide spectacularly.