*NSYNC, K-pop, and more: Here are the highlights of the 2023 MTV VMAs
The much-awaited 2023 MTV Video Music Awards took place on Sept. 12 (Sept. 13 Manila time) at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
VMA is a night dedicated to the year's biggest music videos, featuring incredible performances, special honors, tributes, and more.
From *NSYNC's reunion to the jaw-dropping K-pop performances, here are some of the highlights of the 2023 VMAs.
All *NSYNC members reunited
Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, and Chris Kirkpatrick collectively known as *NSYNC reunited on the VMA stage after 10 years to present the award for Best Pop, which went to Taylor Swift for her song, Anti-Hero.
“We just wanted to say, thank you MTV, and especially all of you guys,” Joey told the audience. “Thank you so much, each and every one of you, for always supporting your favorite music artists!”
The group is rumored to be creating new music for the third installment of the Trolls film franchise.
Meanwhile, Taylor couldn't help but show off her excitement as a big fan of the group. She just couldn't believe the boys were together on stage!
“I had your dolls!” Taylor said as she received the award from the group.
“You’re pop personified, so to receive this from your golden pop hands is really too much!”
Taylor Swift sweeps the VMA awards
Taylor Swift continuously proved her prowess after taking home MTV’s most prestigious award: a win for Anti-Hero in the Video of the Year category. The song also won Best Pop, Song of the Year, and Best Direction.
This is her second time winning the prestigious award after bagging it for All Too Well (10-minute version) last year at the same awards show.
“This is unbelievable,” Swift said as she accepted the award. “I just want to say that the fact that this is a fan-voted award means so much to me. “
The award-winning singer also led the show with 11 nominations. She ended up winning in nine of the 11 categories she was nominated including Artist of the Year, Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects for Anti-Hero, Show of the Summer, and Album of the Year for Midnights.
K-pop act performances
K-pop boy group Stray Kids took a well-deserved victory lap after winning the MTV Video Music Award for Best K-Pop for their song S-Class, and they did so with a frantic performance of the song at the awards night.
“We’ve been making music ever since the start of our career, but to receive this award just really means a lot to us,” Bang Chan said.
WOW! WOW! WOW!@Stray_Kids RAISED THE BAR with their debut #VMA performance 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/hHMFsgjFl8
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 13, 2023
This is the group’s first-ever VMA win, making it a big moment for members Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N.
Meanwhile, another K-pop act graced the stage of one of the grandest platforms of pop culture this month.
Tomorrow X Together performed their collaboration song, Back for More with Brazilian singer Anitta, marking a significant milestone as the "first K-pop band to perform a genre-blending collaboration" at the VMA.
TXT—consisting of Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai—was also nominated for Best K-pop at this year’s ceremony for Sugar Rush Ride.
Shakira makes history
Grammy Award-winning and four-time VMA winner, Shakira made history as the first South American artist to ever receive the Video Vanguard Award.
"I want to share this award with my fans. Thank you so much for being my army and helping me fight all my battles," she said in her acceptance speech as she also expressed her gratitude to her kids for making her feel that she could do it all.
Shakira received a standing ovation after she performed a medley of her greatest hits.
Among other recipients of the coveted award are Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Missy Elliott, Beyoncé and Michael Jackson.
Lopez, who received the award in 2018, was the first Latin artist to receive the honor.
MTV honors Diddy
American rapper Diddy has been tapped to receive the “Global Icon Award."
According to MTV, he was honored “for his unparalleled career and continued influence that has achieved unrivaled global success in music and beyond.”
This is the first time he performed again with his 1997 hit I’ll be Missing You. His last performance at the VMAs was in 2005.
His son King Combs, Keyshia Cole, and Yung Miami joined him on stage to perform some of his hits.