Fall Out Boy bring updated ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ to 2023 MTV VMAs

Selome Hailu With appearances from Taylor Swift and NSYNC and performances by Shakira, Demi Lovato and Doja Cat, this year’s MTV Video Music Awards ceremony brought in 37% more viewers than the 2022 ceremony. Tuesday’s show was watched by 865,000 people compared to 630,000 the year before.

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.

It’s time once again to honour the very best in music video greatness with a celeb-packed awards show and some sweet Moon Person trophies!

Diddy was honoured with the Global Icon Award at the 2023 MTV VMAs, which is being held at New Jersey’s Prudential Center tonight (September 12).The rapper and producer was introduced on stage by Mary J. Blige, who paid tribute to the honoree before he delivered a performance of songs from across his career.Among the tracks aired by Diddy were ‘Bad Boy For Life’, ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’, ‘I’ll Be Missing You’, and ‘Last Night’.

Selena Gomez was among the crowd members who look worried during the shocking live moment.

2023 MTV Video Music Awards appeared to momentarily confuse the star-studded audience — including Selena Gomez, Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes.At the top of Tuesday’s show, the 20-year-old belted out some of her latest hits from her sophomore album, “Guts.” Even more, she recreated parts of her music video “Vampire,” which consisted of blazing sparklers, the background going black and a security guard rushing the singer off the stage.The audience got noticeably quiet during the awkward moment as the camera panned toward Gomez, 31, Ballerini, 30, and Stokes, 30, looking confused.Rodrigo’s song “Good for You” then briefly played and she returned to the stage to sing “Get Him Back.”“Selena’s face while Olivia’s performance says it all,” one person on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared.Rodrigo was one of many performers to hit the stage at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. While Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Wayne, Doja Cat, Anitta and Demi Lovato performed, presenters included Charli D’Amelio, Dixie D’Amelio, Emily Ratajkowski, Rita Ora, Jared Leto and Sabrina Carpenter.

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’.

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.

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’.

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.

Meredith Woerner Deputy Editor, Variety.com The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by Nicki Minaj for the second year in a row, kicked off at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Tuesday evening. Taylor Swift led the nominations with eight, followed by Sza with six nods.

The MTV Video Music Awards are set to take place on Tuesday, September 12 live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center. Broadcast of the show will be on MTV and livestream on Paramount+ starting at 8 p.m. ET.