The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards were held on Tuesday (September 12) at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in a Latino-focused ceremony.
Shakira received the Video Vanguard Award, one of the VMAs’ highest honors, and delivered one of the most spectacular performances of the night. She later shared the award for best collaboration for “TQG” with fellow Colombian Karol G, who also lit up the stage with an energetic number.
Additionally, Anitta won Best Latin Music for “Funk Rave” and brought her electrifying Favela Funk to the stage. And Mexican music sensation Peso Pluma, nominated for best new artist, made his VMAs debut with his hit “Lady Gaga.”
The 2023 VMAs were a big night of music, with legendary boy band *NSYNC (yes, everyone, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick) coming together to present the Best Pop award to global superstar Taylor Swift.
They were far from the only stars in attendance. Nicki Minaj served as master of ceremonies and performed a medley at the event, and Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion performed their collaboration “Bongos” live. Plus, Demi Lovato rocked like crazy and Olivia Rodrigo had the moment where she faked tripping on stage.
Stray Kids, Diddy, Lil Wayne, Metro Boomin (and friends) were also in attendance, as was a circle of hip-hop royalty who helped celebrate the genre’s 50th anniversary with a multi-artist medley, one of many events this year commemorating #HipHop50 honors its roots, history and influence.
Here are some of the best photos from the VMAs, from performances and winners to backstage snaps, presenters and more.
Karol G
Photo credit: Gilbert FloresKarol G performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Featherweight
Image source: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTVPeso Pluma performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Anita
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTVAnitta performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Sofia Carson and Selena Gomez
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTVSofia Carson and Selena Gomez attend the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Shakira
Photo credit: Christopher PolkShakira performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Olivia Rodrigo
Photo credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTVOlivia Rodrigo performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Stray children
Image source: Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesStray Kids’ Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Felix, Bang Chan, IN, Seungmin and Han perform at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Shakira, Karol G & Tiffany Haddish
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTVShakira, Karol G and Tiffany Haddish attend the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Diddy & King Combs
Image source: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTVDiddy and King Combs perform at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Mary J. Blige
Image source: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTVMary J. Blige speaks at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Fat Joe & Thalia
Photo credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesFat Joe and Thalia present the Best Latin Award during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Nicki Minaj
Photo credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesNicki Minaj performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Selena Gomez & Taylor Swift
Image source: Christopher PolkSelena Gomez and Taylor Swift at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Taylor Swift
Image source: Gilbert FloresTaylor Swift receives the Best Pop Award for “Anti-Hero” at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Ashanti and French Montana
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTVAshanti and French Montana at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Lil Nas X & Ice Spice
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTVLil Nas
Shakira
Image source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTVShakira performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Doja cat
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTVDoja Cat performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Olivia Rodrigo
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTVOlivia Rodrigo performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Shakira
Image source: Gilbert FloresShakira accepts the Video Vanguard Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTVTaylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Demi Lovato
Image source: Christopher PolkDemi Lovato at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Cardi B
Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty ImagesCardi B performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Rema and Selena Gomez
Image source: Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesRema and Selena Gomez accept the Best Afrobeats Award for “Calm Down”, presented by Tiffany Haddish, at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTVCardi B and Megan Thee Stallion perform at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Chloe Bailey & Coco Jones
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for MTVChlöe Bailey and Coco Jones attend the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Nelly Furtado & Timbaland
Image source: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTVNelly Furtado and Timbaland at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Lil Wayne
Image source: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTVLil Wayne performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
NSYNC
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTVNSYNC’s Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez and Chris Kirkpatrick present an award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Nicki Minaj
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTVNicki Minaj at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Taylor Swift
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTVTaylor Swift accepts the Best Pop Award for “Anti-Hero,” presented by NSYNC, at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Demi Lovato
Image source: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTVDemi Lovato performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Diddy
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for MTVDiddy receives the Global Icon Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Shakira
Image source: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTVShakira performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
