The MTV VMAs are one of the more entertaining award shows, with no shortage of iconic moments throughout history. The VMAs 2023, held on Sept. 12, 2023 at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, continued that legacy with memorable performances, great speeches, and plenty of off-the-cuff celebrity moments.
Related: MTV VMAs 2023 Red Carpet: See All the Celebrity Dresses, Outfits, and Looks
At the VMAs, you never know what you're gonna get. Taylor Swift announcing Midnights? The Britney/Madonna/Christina kiss that raised the bar for pop culture history? Truly anything could happen. But one thing is certain: there will be plenty of great music to vibe along to while we wait to see what happens next.
In case you missed the 2023 VMAs, we've recapped all the best moments, performances, speeches, pink carpet shenanigans, and more from this year's MTV Video Music Awards.
Sabrina Carpenter writing a VMAs-themed “Nonsense” outro
Next year, put Sabrina Carpenter on the main VMAs stage. Until then, we'll be bopping along her to VMA's pre-show medley performance of “nonsense” and “feather” until the end of time. She brought a burlesque vibe to the VMAs in a sparkly dress and her classic white go-go boots, seamlessly transitioning to “nonsense” after a mid-performance Swiftian phone call. And yes, she improv'd a VMAs-themed outro: “He said that it's bigger than a Moonman, guess that means I'm gripping it with two hands, VMAs I love you I'm a huge fan…”
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Doja Cat absolutely killing her medley performance
One of the best performances of the night? The one and only Doja Cat, who performed a medley of recent hits, “Attention,” “Paint the Town Red,” and “Demons” with a crew of identically red-painted dancers and an outfit of slowly deconstructed officewear. She's a consummate Performer, enrapturing the audience at the VMAs with a single look, and neverending intensity.
TXT winning PUSH Performance of the Year
MOAs, we won. The 4th gen K-pop group took home the first award of the night: PUSH Performance of the Year. The quintet shared how excited they were for their performance with Anitta to come later that night — and their gratitude for their fans. “We wanted to show who we are in our music with lots of people,” said TXT's youngest member Huening Kai. “This award means we did that … I feel I am on cloud nine."
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Taylor Swift's reaction to the *NSYNC reunion
*NSYNC reunited for the first time in years — and no one was more thrilled than Taylor Swift, who immediately leapt to her feet in joy. It didn't hurt that the boy band then announced her win for Best Pop Video, and she seemed almost too stunned to speak at first (plus, the guys handed her a friendship bracelet). At the podium, she said she was honored “to receive this from your golden pop hands. Thank you for the friendship bracelets.”
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Offset fanboying over his wife Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's performance
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion gave the debut live performance of their new collab “Bongos," and absolutely no one in that audience was more excited than Cardi's husband, fellow rapper Offset. “If u not cheering me on like Offset, I don’t want it,” a fan responded to one of the multiple now-viral videos of Offset dancing along to “Bongos” and jumping up and down with applause. Talk about relationship goals.
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Renée Rapp using her presenter time to shoot her shot with Ice Spice
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Renée Rapp had a lot to look forward to on VMAs night, including performing on the Extended Play stage and being one of finalists for Best New Artist — but she was only really looking forward to being in the same room as Ice Spice. “All I wanna do Tuesday is meet Ice Spice,” Rapp posted to Twitter/X a few days before the show. At Prudential Center on Tuesday, she told Entertainment Tonight that she's “honored” to be at the VMAs, but she's “just excited to meet Ice Spice.” “I love her,” she said dreamily with a huge grin. (Renée Rapp and Ice Spice are both openly bisexual.)
Right after Ice beat Rapp for Best New Artist, it was Rapp's turn to present. And still, all she was focused on was shooting her shot. “Congratulations to Ice Spice,” she immediately began as the cameras started rolling. "You’re the People’s Princess, I love you, anything you want, I’ll do.” Relatable.
