2023 MTV VMAs: Taylor Swift dominates, *NSYNC reunites and more of night's biggest moments
Taylor Swift was the night's big winner.
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."
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."
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion got the crowd moving with a performance of their new song, "Bongos."
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.
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"