Photo credit:  DENVER, COLORADO – JULY 14: EDITORIAL USE ONLY Taylor Swift performs onstage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Empower Field At Mile High on July 14, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tom Cooper/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

The MTV Video Music Awards, one of the biggest nights in music, took place on Tuesday evening (September 12nd), live from Newark, N.J.’s Prudential Center, celebrating all genres from pop, to hip-hop, to latin music and beyond.

Nicki Minaj was the mistress of ceremony, although she only took a mic a few times, including to begin and close out the show. Nonetheless, the evening saw performances from Nicki, Lil Wayne, Anitta, Måneskin and a host of others.

Nicki kicked off her hosting duties, telling the audience that MTV was afraid of what she might say on the mic. Nicki said, “MTV is petrified because they got a couple calls yesterday and people were saying, ‘What if Nicki says this and what if Nicki says that?’ And I said, you know it’s OK, MTV, I can control myself. Because if you can’t control yourself you can’t control anything around you, right? But you know who can’t control themselves? Roman. Ruby Red Da Sleeze, Chun-Li. So I’ll think about it.”

She closed out the show, offering blessings to those in attendance, saying, “I am asking God to bless these people tonight because they are so beautiful and so perfect. I love you so much.”

Those were only a few moments from the jam-packed evening.

HIGHLIGHTS

Prior to the show beginning, the pre-show/red carpet was hosted by Saweetie, Dometi Pongo, Nessa and Kevan Kenney. At one point, while the camera was on Dometi and Saweetie, she apparently forgot she was supposed to be hosting and stood at the camera blankly. She later addressed the moment during the show.

Nicki Minaj came onto the stage at the top of the show, wearing a long, pink, bride-like gown that she appeared to struggle to walk in. She then shared that her shoe wasn’t buckled.

N’SYNC reunited to give away the award for Best Pop award.

Justin Timberlake also had a viral moment backstage with Megan Thee Stallion, which people thought was a heated moment. Instead, an insider claimed that Megan actually told JT that they meeting backstage at the award show didn’t count and that they needed to have a proper meeting. For the record, Meg was excited and is a huge fan of JT.

Shakira was honored with the Michael Jackson Vanguard award and was introduced by Wyclef Jean before performing a medley of songs.

Diddy received the Global Icon award and was presented the award by longtime friend and collaborator, Mary J. Blige.

The VMAs also honored the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with performances from Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, LL Cool and DMC from Run-DMC. Rev. Run wasn’t present.

 

WINNERS

VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift
SONG OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
BEST NEW ARTIST: Ice Spice
PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: April 2023: Tomorrow x Together – “Sugar Rush Ride”
BEST COLLABORATION: Karol G, Shakira – “TQG”
BEST POP: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
BEST HIP-HOP: Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl”
BEST R&B: SZA – “Shirt”
BEST ALTERNATIVE: Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – “Candy Necklace”
BEST ROCK: Ma?neskin – “THE LONELIEST”
BEST LATIN: Anitta – “Funk Rave”
BEST K-POP: Stray Kids – “S-Class”
BEST AFROBEATS: Rema and Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”
VIDEO FOR GOOD: Dove Cameron – “Breakfast”
BEST DIRECTION: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” — Directed by Taylor Swift
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Cinematography by Rina Yang
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero” – Visual Effects by Parliament
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: Blackpink – “Pink Venom” – Kiel Tutin, Sienna Lalau
BEST ART DIRECTION: Doja Cat – “Attention” – Art Direction by Spencer Graves
BEST EDITING: Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire” – Edited by Sofia Kerpan and David Checel
SHOW OF THE SUMMER: Taylor Swift – Republic Records
GROUP OF THE YEAR: Blackpink
SONG OF THE SUMMER: Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift – Midnights