Diddy honoured with Global Icon Award at 2023 MTV VMAs

Why did the 2023 MTV VMAs feel like such a slog? It was the scheduling of the night, a fire hose of content turned full blast and directed at viewers’ eyeballs. It was the inescapable advertising plastered everywhere, even on the performances (OK, I understand that this song is brought to me by Doritos, thank you). It was the relentless and strained effort to convince the audience that the show still matters, even though it was impossible to shake the feeling that the biggest stars were there either because they were contractually obliged, or because they already knew they were winning.

Diddy made the VMAs a family affair.

BFFS Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez stunned at the 2023 MTV VMAs afterparty.

Selena Gomez has been turned into a never-ending cycle of memes.

The 2023 MTV VMAs were packed with incredible performances, viral celeb clips and Moon Person trophies on Tuesday, so let’s take a look at some of the most-talked about moments.

It’s nice to have a friendship like Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift‘s! At Tuesday’s MTV Video Music Awards, the longtime best friends spent the night cheering each other on.

Karol G took the stage at this year’s MTV VMAs, performing two of her 2023 songs ‘Oki Doki’ and ‘Tá Ok’. The Colombian singer was one of multiple performers at the ceremony, which took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey tonight (September 12).

Anitta has teased a new song called ‘Grip’ as part of a medley performance at this year’s MTV VMAs ceremony.The Brazilian singer-songwriter performed a trio of songs during the show, which took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey tonight (September 12). Included in Anitta’s VMAs setlist were the tracks ‘Used to Be’ and ‘Funk Rave’, both of which are lifted from her most recent three-track EP, ‘Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story’.Anitta concluded the medley with ‘Grip’, an as-yet unreleased track that saw the singer flanked by neon-dressed dancers and pulsating choreography.

Fall Out Boy brought their updated cover of ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ to the 2023 MTV VMAs, which are taking place at New Jersey’s Prudential Center tonight (September 12).The pop-punk band’s appearance marked their third at the awards show following performances in 2005 and 2007.This time around, Fall Out Boy performed their modern take on Billy Joel’s classic song, which finds them referencing Trump’s impeachments, Brexit, Harry Potter and many more era-defining moments.When the band released the cover earlier this summer, Joel responded by saying they had saved him from updating it himself. “Everybody said, ‘Well, aren’t you going to do a part two?’,” he explained.

Shakira crowdsurfed as she collected the Video Vanguard award at the 2023 MTV VMAs, which are taking place at New Jersey’s Prudential Center tonight (September 12).The Colombian star performed at the ceremony before picking up the trophy, delivering an extended medley featuring some of her biggest hits in both English and Spanish.Among the setlist were the likes of ‘She-Wolf’, which was sat in a cave, Rauw Alejandro collaboration ‘Te Felicito’, ‘Ojos Asi’, her verse from Karol G’s ‘TQC’, ‘Whenever, Wherever’, ‘Hips Don’t Lie’, and her recent viral hit ‘Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53’.Wyclef Jean introduced the star as she collected the award, calling her a “one-of-a-kind voice”.

Diddy is being honored at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards!

Demi Lovato brought rock versions of some of her past pop hits to the 2023 MTV VMAs, which is taking place at New Jersey’s Prudential Center tonight (September 12).The pop star is set to release a new album, ‘Revamped’, on Friday (15) that is comprised of new reimagined versions of tracks from across their back catalogue.Lovato aired some of those new versions during the VMAs tonight, opening her set with a rock version of ‘Heart Attack’.

Nicki Minaj shared a preview at an unreleased track from her upcoming new album ‘Pink Friday 2’ at the 2023 MTV VMAs tonight (September 12).The rapper delivered an understated performance of her latest single ‘Last Time I Saw You’ at the event at Newark’s Prudential Center.She appeared on stage cloaked in a giant black cape, with the set lit with colourful lasers at different points in the performance. At the end, with the cape removed, she told the crowd: “It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t give you a ‘Pink Friday 2’ exclusive.”As the music switched from the emotional pop song into a hip-hop beat, she began rapping the unreleased track.

Doja Cat brought three songs from her upcoming album ‘Scarlet’ to the 2023 MTV VMAs, which is taking place in New Jersey tonight (September 12).The rapper began her performance from the crowd at Newark’s Prudential Center, opening her short set with ‘Attention’. Dressed in a grey skirt suit, she removed her jacket before moving to the stage and segueing into ‘Paint The Town Red’.The whole performance saw Doja Cat supported by dancers dressed in red outfits and their bodies daubed in scarlet body paint.

Taylor Swift has praised Jack Antonoff and said she “will continue making music until 2089” with him while collecting an award at the 2023 MTV VMAs.The star won the award for Song Of The Year for her single ‘Anti-Hero’ – her second trophy of the night following the award for Best Pop.“I’m really, really lucky that I get to write songs with one of my best friends in the world,” Swift said. “His name is Jack Antonoff, he is so talented it’s incomprehensible.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion reunited on the 2023 MTV VMAs stage tonight (September 12), bringing their latest collaboration ‘Bongos’ to New Jersey.The two rappers recently followed their chart-topping, record-breaking hit ‘WAP’ with the new single and gave it its live debut at the awards show, which is being held at New Jersey’s Prudential Center.Cardi kicked off the performance by standing in a white arch surrounded by palm trees and dancers. Megan took over from her verse from another part of the arena before the pair came together on one stage.Lil Nas X and Taylor Swift could be seen in the crowd enjoying the performance, with the latter fanning herself as the rendition ended.Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion just ATE THE STAGE UP!!!!! #vmas pic.twitter.com/8vXJh6dKWj— Heard It Here Radio (@HeardItHereLive) September 13, 2023Lil Wayne kicked off the awards show with a performance of ‘Uproar’ and ‘Kat Food’.

Sophia Scorziello editor Pop rock’s “people’s princess” Olivia Rodrigo took the stage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards fresh off the release of her second studio album “Guts.” Rodrigo performed “Vampire” and “Get Him Back!,” which received its matching music video earlier on Tuesday. She took the stage directly after Lil Wayne’s hits-filled performance, starting with “Vampire” first. The creative direction of both performances directly referenced their music videos.

Lil Wayne has opened the 2023 MTV VMAs at New Jersey’s Prudential Center with the live premiere of his latest single ‘Kat Food’.The rapper kicked off the awards show by performing in front of a raised platform on the arena’s stage, flanked by female dancers dressed in white, as he aired the 2020 track ‘Uproar’.Midway through the song, he segued into ‘Kat Food’, walking through the crowd to the B-stage as he did so. The track was released on September 1 and was produced by Charlie Handsome, FNZ and Rogét Chahayed.Wayne is also due to perform as part of a special hip-hop performance celebrating the genre’s 50th anniversary later in the VMAs.

Olivia Rodrigo returned to the 2023 MTV VMAs in New Jersey tonight (September 12) with a performance of her recent single ‘Vampire’.The star performed the hit track from a setting similar found to the one in the official music video, beginning the song on a patch of grass in front of a set made to look like a pond.As fireworks went off and parts of the stage appeared to fall down, Rodrigo ran off stage, a blue curtain fell down and some of her past hits flickered over the PA. When she returned she launched into ‘Get Him Back!’, one of the tracks on her second album ‘GUTS’.For the latter half of the performance, she was joined by dancers dressed in pink and a live band.

Taylor Swift, Doja Cat and SZA lead the nominations.Swift went into the night with eight nominations, including Video Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Editing for ‘Anti-Hero’. She is also in the running for Artist Of The Year.SZA has got six nods in this year’s shortlist, while Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Smith have earned five nominations each.Performances at the ceremony will come from Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, Demi Lovato, Diddy, Doja Cat, Fall Out Boy, Karol G, Lil Wayne, Måneskin, Nicki Minaj, Sabrina Carpenter, Stray Kids, Tomorrow X Together and Anitta, and more.