2023 MTV VMAs: Taylor Swift dominates, *NSYNC reunites and more of night's biggest moments

Taylor Swift was the night's big winner.

September 13, 2023, 9:03 AM

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards was nothing short of a party Tuesday night.

Taylor Swift was the night's big winner, and was also part of the night's most talked about moment: the reunion of *NSYNC. Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, and JC Chasez took the stage together to present the award for best pop, which went to Taylor.

"I'm not doing well pivoting from this to this," Swift said as she pointed at the boy band and then to her moon person trophy. "Like, I had your dolls ... you guys are --- you're pop personified, so to receive this from your golden pop hands is really, it's too much."

Swift also snagged song of the year, best direction, and video of the year during the broadcast -- all for her song "Anti-Hero." In total, she won nine VMAs, tying the record for most wins in one night and securing the second-most overall wins of any artist ever, with 23, surpassing Madonna's 20 career wins and making Taylor's total VMA wins second only to Beyoncé's 30.

The night's star-packed performer lineup included Olivia Rodrigo, who graced the stage with a two-hit medley of "vampire" and "get him back," the latest tracks from her recently released sophomore album, "GUTS."

Olivia Rodrigo performs onstage during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Sept. 12, 2023 in Newark, N.J.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Demi Lovato rocked out to the rock versions of her hits, like "Heart Attack" and "Cool for the Summer," while Doja Cat treated fans to a trio of her latest hits "Attention," "Paint the Town Red" and "Demons."

Demi Lovato performs onstage during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on Sept. 12, 2023 in Newark, N.J.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion got the crowd moving with a performance of their new song, "Bongos."

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion perform on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023 held at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Sept. 12, 2023.
Doug Peters/PA Images via Getty Images

Shakira was this year's recipient of the Video Vanguard Award. Before accepting the honor, she delivered a medley of her signature hits, including "She Wolf," "Whenever, Wherever," and "Hips Don't Lie." The milestone was a history-making one for Shakira: She is the first South American artist to ever receive the Video Vanguard Award.

Shakira performs at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, Sept. 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Sean "Diddy" Combs also was honored with the Global Icon Award for his impact in the music industry.

A final highlight of the night was the hip-hop 50th anniversary tribute performance from artists including Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C., Slick Rick and more.

Check out the complete winners list:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift -- "Anti-Hero"

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift

SONG OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift -- "Anti-Hero"

BEST NEW ARTIST

Ice Spice

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER -- "Sugar Rush Ride"

BEST COLLABORATION

KAROL G, Shakira -- "TQG"

BEST POP

Taylor Swift -- "Anti-Hero" -- Republic Records

BEST HIP-HOP

Nicki Minaj -- "Super Freaky Girl" -- Republic Records

BEST R&B

SZA -- "Shirt" -- Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste -- "Candy Necklace"

BEST ROCK

Måneskin -- "THE LONELIEST"

BEST LATIN

Anitta -- "Funk Rave"

BEST K-POP

Stray Kids -- "S-Class"

BEST AFROBEATS

Rema & Selena Gomez -- "Calm Down"

VIDEO FOR GOOD

Dove Cameron -- "Breakfast"

BEST DIRECTION

Taylor Swift -- "Anti-Hero"

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Taylor Swift -- "Anti-Hero"

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Taylor Swift -- "Anti-Hero"

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

BLACKPINK -- "Pink Venom"

BEST ART DIRECTION

Doja Cat -- "Attention"

BEST EDITING

Olivia Rodrigo -- "vampire"

SHOW OF THE SUMMER

Taylor Swift

GROUP OF THE YEAR

BLACKPINK

SONG OF THE SUMMER

Jung Kook ft. Latto -- "Seven"

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift -- "Midnights"