The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 12, and to say they were a night of history-making moments would be an understatement.
Taylor Swift swept this year’s VMAs and Shakira became the first South American artist to win the Video Vanguard Award.
The Eras World Tour star took home nine awards, including Video of the Year and Song of the Year for “Anti-Hero,” as well as Artist of the Year. Swift’s enormous wins tied her for the most wins in one night, and now ranks her second in the most overall wins.
Shakira’s performance was also a highlight of the night. She opened with a medley of her hits, including “Whenever, Wherever,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” and “She Wolf.”
Other winners included Nicki Minaj, who won Best Hip Hop Video for “Super Freaky Girl”; SZA, who won Best R&B Video for “Shirt”; and Lana Del Rey, who won Best Alternative Video for “Candy Necklace.”
The 2023 VMAs also featured a number of memorable moments, including a surprise reunion of *NSYNC, who presented Swift with the Best Pop Video award. There was also a performance by K-pop group Stray Kids, who made their VMA debut, and Lil Wayne, who opened the show with a performance of hit songs, including “Uproar” and his new single “Kat Food.”
Overall, the 2023 MTV VMAs were a night of celebration for both music and culture. Taylor Swift’s historic win was a testament to her continued dominance in the music industry, and Shakira’s performance marks a reminder of her global influence, that doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon.
