On Sept. 12, the 40th annual MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), hosted by Nicki Minaj, took place in Newark, New Jersey. The VMAs recognize some of the most popular artists from the past year to commend their great efforts. According to Variety, this year’s ceremony brought in 37% more viewers than 2022. Rounding in at 865,000 watchers in total. With all the riveting performances and record-setting female
nominees, the 2023 VMAs were one to remember.
Junior Haiely Genzale said, “I was really looking forward to this year’s show. With all the great new music that came out in 2023, I knew it was going to be a good one.”
The show jumped right into performances from Lil Wayne and Olivia Rodrigo. While it seemed that Wayne’s performance went off without a hitch, Rodrigo had some technical difficulties. However, it was all a hoax leading into her singing “get him back!”, a song off of her new album.
Junior Emily DelBene enjoys watching the VMAs to see the stars’ performances.
Source: Emma Marchetta-Turner, Staff Photographer
Eve Calabria, who attended the show said, “I think Olivia Rodrigo’s performance was the most unexpected. She did a bit where the stage and props were malfunctioning, so there were fireworks going off and curtains coming down all over the place and she had a stagehand run in and pull her off, it seemed extremely real in the moment.”
Even after this year’s VMAs, Beyoncé still holds the record of the most VMAs with 30 titles. However, Taylor Swift is getting closer to that number, with 23 awards. Swift swept this year’s show, tying the record for the most VMAs won in a single night, clocking in at nine awards.
Taylor Swift took home 9 VMAs this year, making her the second most-awarded artist, behind Beyoncé.
Source: Instagram, @mtv
The categories Swift took home include, Video of the Year (“Anti-Hero”), Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Anti-Hero”), Best Pop (“Anti-Hero”), Best Direction (“Anti- Hero”), Best Cinematography (“Anti-Hero”), Best Visual Effects (“Anti-Hero”), Show of the Summer (Eras tour), and ultimately, Album of the Year for “Midnights.”
“My favorite artist at the VMAs was Taylor Swift,” junior Nico Bogardus said.
“She’s got so many great songs and they are all so catchy.”
During the show, Shakira was recognized for her contribution to music and pop culture. Wyclef Jean came on stage to honor her. He said, “Latin music would not be the global force that it is without Shakira.”
Shakira then took to the stage to sing some of her most popular songs, “She Wolf,” “Objection (Tango),” “Whenever, Wherever,” and finished off with “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.”
Afterwards, Shakira made history and accepted the MTV Video Vanguard award. An award previously won by artists like The Beatles, David Bowie, Beyoncé and more. As she took the stage, the crowd shouted her name. In her
speech, Shakira said, “I want to share this award with my fans who always support me through thick and thin. Thank you so much for being my army and for helping me fight all my battles.”
“The standout moment to me was Shakira’s performance, she is just unreal,” said Calabria.
Another historic moment happened during the “Artist of the Year” category, as all the nominees were female. Ultimately, Swift took home the award, but Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Karol G, Nicki Minaj, and Shakira were all nominated as well.
“It was so fun, 10 out of 10. It was like the best concerts ever rolled into one. The only thing that would have made the night better for me was if Taylor had performed,” said Calabria.
