Top highlights from the 2023 VMAs include Taylor Swift, NSYNC, Shakira and Diddy
USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa recaps the 2023 MTV VMAs, including highlights from the show and red carpet interviews with Fat Joe, Wyclef Jean and more.
Entertain This!, USA TODAY
The MTV VMAs have never skimped on drama, and the lineup of performances includes a sassy new collaboration between Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, pop-rock pyrotechnics from Olivia Rodrigo, career medleys from Sean “Diddy” Combs and Shakira, and reimagined hits from Demi Lovato, the 2023 show made for an exciting evening.
The 50th anniversary of hip-hop was also at the top of the program: Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, LL Cool J, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Lil Wayne and VMAs host Nicki Minaj closed the show away.
Here’s a look at each performance, sorted by rank.
1. Shakira
In her first live performance at the VMAs since 2006, the affable Colombian hothead looked about two decades younger than her 46 years as she bounced through a 10-minute medley of hits in Spanish and English. The winner of this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award tossed her mane and howled during “She Wolf” and playfully punched the camera as she entered a drum circle for “Objection,” during which she tantalizingly caressed both her mic stand and Shakira I strapped on an electric guitar to rip out some rock chords.
While it was difficult to tell how much of their singing was live, the focus was usually on their hips and still wasn’t there, as they did all the work in their gold-fringed skirt during “Whenever, Wherever.” Powerful, pounding drums complemented “Hips Don’t Lie” before Shakira made her stunning return with “BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” a brutal defeat of her ex Gerard Pique. During the song, Shakira crowd-surfed before landing on a hydraulic lift that lifted her above the adoring crowd.
More: Shakira apparently targets ex-Gerard Piqué in new song: “I was out of your league”
2. Demi Lovato
To promote “Revamped,” her new album out Friday and featuring rock versions of many of her hits, Lovato and her red-hot all-female band pulled out a lot of rock tropes to highlight the power of these new interpretations. “Heart Attack” was a frenzy of white lights and pyro worthy of any arena show, while “Sorry Not Sorry” found Lovato’s guitarist at her feet to belt out a solo. But it was the third of their offerings, the bi-curious “Cool for the Summer,” that benefited most from this powerful reworking. Lovato, her long black hair slicked back to match her figure-hugging dress, slid through the song’s first verse before exploding in a fireball of song. Lovato’s joy at the end of the song — a beaming smile and kisses toward the crowd — was a pleasant sight.
3. Olivia Rodrigo
The current it-girl of pop-rock hit fans with a double recording of songs from her new “Guts” album. Rodrigo, in a blood-red bikini top and cheerleader skirt with matching lipstick, sat among fake foliage, rocks and dry ice fluttering like a stream and sang “Vampire” with emphatic annoyance in her voice. Her transition to “Get Him Back!”, one of Guts’ funniest songs, was jagged, but she quickly found her bearings as a number of girls in similar (pink) outfits strolled across the stage alongside her as she performed the Song demonstratively sang song lyrics directly into the camera.
4. Nicki Minaj
The evening’s host had not been seen since her opening greeting, but returned for a preview of “Pink Friday 2,” out November 17. “Last Time I Saw You” is a pretty, elegant pop song that deviates a bit from its restraint. She began with Minaj’s trademark ferocity, which she emphasized by pulling back her floor-length, puffy black cape to reveal a fishnet-clad leg. Pink light – of course – shaded the background as the song softened again (“I wish I had hugged you tighter the last time I saw you/I wish I didn’t have a precious one the night I called you.” Wasted time”). .
Minaj used her platform to debut another new song – “It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t give you an exclusive ‘Pink Friday 2,'” she said. Now dressed in pure black, Minaj revealed a few lines of the new rap track with the lyrics “You said you looked up to her, but really, you looked up to me!”, which she spat while in with her the air pushed fingers. So no, Minaj’s edges haven’t been blunted.
5. Morning X Together and Anitta
The K-pop quintet debuted their brilliant pop song “Back for More,” which immediately grabbed attention with its infectious chorus. Anitta appeared in her thigh-high boots to add a touch of sexiness to the song, while a video backdrop of splashing water added to the appeal. Tomorrow’s impressive dance moves
Tomorrow X together: Members talk new music, proudest moment and ordering Five Guys
6. Kelsea Ballerini
The country crossover singer made her VMAs performance debut with the ballad “Penthouse (Healed Version).” Supported by piano and strings, the confessional singer gave the amorous song a lot of emotions. Through the quiet background, the fans singing along could clearly be heard, especially the cheers as Ballerini took a break that seemed a little too long for her, but this moment was used for a bit of costume magic as her long white dress changed into a short black one transformed from a cloud of light.
7. Sean “Diddy” Combs
The Global Icon Award recipient who said in his acceptance speech that his dream was to be a football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers until he suffered an injury.
He took the stage for a nostalgic medley that reminded us of his dominance in hip-hop over the past two-plus decades. Dressed in a red jumpsuit, Diddy and the dancers quickly rolled to his most famous song, “I’ll Be Missing You,” his bittersweet tribute to Notorious B.I.G., driven by undercurrents of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.”
He danced in a circle on “It’s All About the Benjamins,” was joined by his son Christian on “Bad Boy For Life” (twin daughters Jessie and D’Lila danced) and staggered across the stage to meet guest Keyshia Cole to trade verses on their 2006 hit “Last Night.”
Diddy ended his performance with a shot of ’90s nostalgia on the Diana Ross-sampled “Mo Money, Mo Problems,” the first song he performed on the VMAs stage in 1997.
8. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion
Never one to shy away from a big entrance, Cardi B lowered herself onto a giant crystal ball to land among shirtless men playing congas (yes, the song is called “Bongos,” but why be so petty?). The tropical backdrop served as a playground with a marble staircase for Cardi to zip down and twirl to the raunchy new song. Her rhyme partner Megan Thee Stallion sang her fast-paced verses from a catwalk, which she strode down while shaking thighs with her dancers until the two rap powerhouses met in the middle. They strolled arm in arm, the driving beat hitting a marching rhythm, as they returned to the main stage to dance together in what was essentially a strip show, part awards ceremony.
9. Maneskin
With a reliably electrifying live presence, the Italian rock quartet kicked off their performance with new single “Honey (Are U Coming?)” with singer Damiano David in the audience, taking to the stage armed with a handheld camera. Close-cropped and blonde (matching drummer Ethan Torchio’s newly platinum locks), shirtless David prowled the stage while the ever-seductive bassist Victoria De Angelis and guitarist Thomas Raggi played off each other. “Honey” may not be her best song, but Måneskin always brings some pizzazz to an awards show.
10. Karol G
On one of the show’s coolest stages, the woman behind the first Spanish No. 1 album by a female artist made her VMAs debut in a neon-lit production surrounded by dancers in pink and purple plaid skirts. Karol G made her way through “Oki Doki” and “Tá OK (Remix)” with a mix of sensuality and confidence, occasionally getting lost among her huge dance crew but ending up at the center of the production by the end of her performance.
11. Doja Cat
For her summer hit “Attention,” the rapper-singer opted for a sexy librarian look – tailored gray skirt suit, hair in a bun, glasses. But soon the jacket was thrown away for the rousing “Paint the Town Red,” and her dancers – in full zombie mode – surrounded her so she could unleash her flowing blonde hair and seemingly enter a wind tunnel for “Demons.” Doja unbuttoned her white shirt to reveal a bright red bra that matched her ankle boots as papers flew across the stage, conjuring a sort of urban chaos.
12. Anita
The Brazilian beauty offered one of the three tracks from her new EP, Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story, which pays homage to her home country. Her use of backing tracks was so widespread that it seemed as if Anitta never sang live. The words heard on stage while the microphone was away from her mouth were a little telltale. But no matter, because most were probably content to watch her graceful dance moves during the pulsating, breathy song.
13. Stray Children
The K-pop sensation revealed her sharply coordinated dance moves on “S-Class,” a combination of rock, hip-hop and an invigorating chorus. The octet was joined by other dancers who took over the stage as they performed the cheeky hit from their third album ‘5-Star’, focusing on each member’s personalities and distinctive looks.
14. Peso Pluma
Amid pillars of white light, the cool Mexican strutted around a circle of musicians, waving his hands and dancing to “Lady Gaga.” Even behind his ebony sunglasses, Pluma’s intensity shot through the rays. Lively brass and double bass characterized the song, a hit from his third album “Genesis”.
More VMAs: NSYNC Reunites and Presents Taylor Swift Award: “You Are Pop Personified”
15. Lil Wayne
Weezy was introduced as “the best rapper alive” and opened the show with a hyped performance of “Uproar” and “Kat Food.” While Lil Wayne covered his face with a hoodie for the first minute of his performance, he was supported by a group of scantily clad female dancers who twirled and danced as he hopped onto an auxiliary stage while peers like Fat Joe looked on. It was a somewhat sloppy, chaotic beginning that seemed to cut Lil Wayne’s performance short to move on to the second part of the segment with Olivia Rodrigo.
16. Metro Boomin’, Future, Swae Lee, NAV and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie
A hip-hop conglomerate gathered for a performance that began with Future being lowered from a floating altar while Metro Boomin’ took over most of “Superhero (Heroes & Villains).” A stroll across the lava-lit stage brought Swae Lee, NAV and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie to tackle “Calling” as the quartet strolled in front of a giant speaker, the song’s languid mood slowly making the audience’s hands bounce Movement.
17. 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop
The fiftieth anniversary of one of the most fascinating evolving genres has received plenty of attention this year, including an all-star party at the Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, despite the presence of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J and Run-DMC’s Darryl “DMC” Simmons, the VMA tribute felt like a hastily assembled hodgepodge.
There’s much to admire about the turntable skills in “The Message,” the beatboxing in “The Show,” and LL’s muscular arms that popped out of his sparkly outfit as he ripped through “Mama Said Knock You Out.”
Modern interludes from Minaj (“Red Ruby Da Sleeze”) and Lil Wayne (who gives his crotch a big thrust on “Get It Right”) served as a reminder that it’s hard to top vintage. Even LL’s mic compromises with DMC on “Rock Box” and “Walk This Way,” which came a millisecond off the beat, were more of a slog than a rollicking closer.
18. Fall Out Boy
The emo rockers performed their updated version of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” which was brilliantly supported by a series of flames rising into pyrotechnic plumes. While their version of the song, which they released in June, is commendable for its attention to current events, touching on everything from the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series to “YouTube killed MTV,” singer Patrick’s Stump’s scattershot timeline is again toothless compared to Joel’s original from 1989.