An Inside Look on MTV’s Biggest Night
design: Katie Huang
Taking it to the stage, here’s what you missed from the 2023 VMA’s.
by CHLOE RUDNICK ★SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
In her winner era
Can I ask you a Question…? Did someone say sweep!? Entering the night with eleven nominations, Taylor Swift took home nine “Moonmen,” leaving the event with her hands full and yet another record set. Making history, Swift tied Beyonce’s record for most VMA wins in one night. With her wins ranging from Best Director to the most anticipated award of the night, Video of the Year (yes, for the second year in a row,) it’s not just these awards that have people talking. Somehow, without even singing a word, Swift was the main event of the night. Wearing a custom black Versace dress and layers of flashy gold jewelry, Swift’s outfit sparked speculation surrounding the release of reputation (Taylor’s Version).
Spill your guts
The talk of the night, but not exactly the good kind. Taking the stage in a fiery red set, Olivia Rodrigo performed a pair of new hits–vampire and get him back!–for only the second time live post GUTS release. As a nod to the ‘vampire’ music video, Rodrigo psyched out the crowd with a fake-out stage malfunction, ending in a VMA staffer ushering her off stage, only for her to quickly resume her performance. Some might call it controlled chaos, though the look on Selena Gomez’s face and later post defending herself reading “I will never be a meme again” would probably beg to differ. What do you think? Was it ‘logical’ or just ‘brutal’ ?
Resurfacing Rockstar
To promote her upcoming album release Revamped, an album filled with ten rock versions of her biggest hits, Demi Lovato made a return to the VMA stage for the first time in six years, powerfully approaching the mic stand with a beaming smile on her face. Performing a medley of Heart Attack, Sorry Not Sorry, and Cool for the Summer, her new edgy outlook on these old hits left people wondering if this fresh punk-rock vibe was what they were missing all along…
Iconic Duos
It seems that MTV hosted this year’s biggest celebrity reunion. Seated next to each other, Ice Spice and Taylor Swift chatted the night away, seemingly becoming good friends ever since the release of “Karma” featuring Ice Spice. Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes shared a kiss while Madelyn Cline’s name was announced, sparking conversation of a dirty breakup, nonetheless later cleared up by a comment posted by Ballerini reading, “You looked a ridiculous level of stunning and I’m glad I finally got to hug your neck,” and a response from Cline saying “So happy I got to squeeze you gorgeous gorgeous girl.” And to shake things up, there was talk about an alleged confrontation between Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake backstage. After all, you know what they say…nothing good happens behind closed doors.
Back in Business
NSYNC reunited for the first time since performing at the 2013 VMAS, presenting Taylor with an award and a stack of Little Words Project friendship bracelets. After spicing up the stage with her iconic belly dancing, Shakira became the first South American artist to receive the esteemed Video Vanguard award (MTV’s version of a lifetime achievement award.) Plus, Diddy won the coveted Global Icon Award after performing several of his long-time hits alongside his twin daughters.
And now you’re caught up on the 2023 VMA’s…until next year, of course.