The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards is one of the biggest celebrations in the music industry and this year was no different.
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With so few award shows and events happening amid the ongoing Hollywood strikes, the VMAs was a rare opportunity to see many of our favorite stars strutting their stuff on a red (pink) carpet.
This year’s VMAs was held at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey and was a wonderful mix of old and new with stars like Nelly Furtado and NSYNC making their returns to the show alongside today’s biggest names like Olivia Rodrigo.
Shakira was no doubt the star of the night as she was honored with the Video Vanguard Award, a prestigious award celebrating an artist’s impact on music video. Shakira is the first South American artist to win the award and after an epic performance she more than proved she was deserving of the win.
Taylor Swift had a history-making night also. She picked up nine awards, Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for “Midnights,” sweeping almost all of the 11 awards she was nominated for. The 2023 VMAs her lifetime total to 23, second only to Beyoncé.
Another highlight of the night will no doubt be Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick’s NSYNC reunion as they all took the VMA stage to present Taylor Swift with the Best Pop award for “Anti-Hero.” Swift was every single one of us when she looked shocked and sobbed upon seeing the pop icons! The iconic boyband also performed and we loved every second of it.
The show welcomed plenty of newcomers but we always love a throwback performer so we have to give an honorable mention to Diddy, Grandmaster Flash, Lil Wayne and LL Cool J who also performed throughout the night.
But aside from epic performances, awards and speeches, there is one thing the VMAs is always known for — the fashion, duh! Over the past four decades, the show has become synonymous with daring red carpet fashion, provocative performance outfits and risk-taking after party looks. This year was no different, nominees embraced making a statement and stepped out in embellished outfits filled with color and sparkle.
Here are some of the standout looks from the MTV VMAs 2023.
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Taylor Swift
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Swift channeled her Reputation era with this black Versace revenge dress.
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Nelly Furtado
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images The “Maneater” singer made her return to the VMA carpet with a glowing makeup look at a simple black gown.
We’re here for Furtado’s comeback and can’t wait for her new music.
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Rita Ora
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Another star who got the black dress memo was Ora who donned this Rodarte gown.
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Emily Ratajkowski
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV Ratajkowski took a break from New York Fashion Week to step out in this semi-sheer mesh vintage Jean Paul Gaultier maxi.
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Shakira
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Shakira’s hot girl summer is far from over by the looks of things! She looked like liquid gold in this captivating gown.
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2023 MTV Video Music Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV Shakira adorable sons, Sasha Pique and Milan Pique, supported their mom who was honored with the Vanguard Award for her impressive career in music.
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Selena Gomez
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images The Only Murder in the Building star wore this lacy Oscar de la Renta gown and looked absolutely stunning.
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Madelyn Cline
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images The Glass Onion actress posed on the pink carpet in a nude slip dress.
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Olivia Rodrigo
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Straight off the release of her new album, Guts, Rodrigo is back and better than ever in this sparkly silver dress.
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Anitta
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images We love Anitta’s pop of color in her black Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown.
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Bebe Rexha
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Business in the front, party in the back! Rexha knows how to capture attention in this black leather dress with some very well-placed cutouts.
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Sabrina Carpenter
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Carpenter wore a silver minidress with a sheer tulle overlay paired with silver heels.
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Chloe Bailey
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Bailey’s Roberto Cavalli is elegant yet fierce and really showed her daring taste in fashion.
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Demi Lovato
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Lovato took their rocker style to new heights with this fun, oversized leather blazer over a mesh and leather mini dress.
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Doja Cat
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Doja Cat freed the nip in this spiderweb-inspired, barely-there mini dress.
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Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images These lovebirds opted for coordinated red outfits and we love their take on couple’s fashion.
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Megan Thee Stallion
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Megan Thee Stallion went for a see-through black gown with black underwear.
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Cardi B
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Cardi B’s metallic dress looks like it’s made of glass shards but it’s actually, believe it or not, thousands of hair clips!
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Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion
Image Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV For their performance, the ladies did a whole hair switch-up in addition to an outfit change and, needless to say, they killed it.
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NLE Choppa
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images The rapper went for a suede waistcoast and matching pants, and it’s giving us serious Ken vibes.
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Nicki Minaj
Image Credit: Variety via Getty Images Here comes the bride! Minaj made her return to the pink carpet with a pink bridal look.
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Nicki Minaj
Image Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV Minaj sported this red jumpsuit during the show’s closing performance with Grandmaster Flash, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J and other artists in an epic celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
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Billy Porter
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV Porter tried something new with this long blonde side fringe paired this white suit.
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Diddy
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV Diddy took home the Global Icon Award after an incredible performance.
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Dixie D’Amelio and Charli D’Amelio
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV TikTok stars Dixie D’Amelio and Charli D’Amelio looked elegant in these monochromatic gowns.
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Flo Milli
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for MTV Rap artist Flo Milli had one of the most memorable outfits of the night in this barely-there sequin set.
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Måneskin
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV Damiano David, Ethan Torchio, Victoria De Angelis and Thomas Raggi of Måneskin never fail to look edgy and mysterious.
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Kathy Hilton and Nicky Hilton
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV It was a mother-daughter night out for the Hiltons. If only Paris could have joined!
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NSYNC
Image Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, and Chris Kirkpatrick reunited to perform and present as NSYNC.
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Tiffany Haddish
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV Haddish wore a sheer, embellished dress over a flattering black bodysuit.
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Anitta and Tomorrow X Together
Image Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV Anitta joined Taehyun, Soobin, HueningKai and Beomgyu of Tomorrow X Together to perform onstage. The Brazlian singer wore a custom Alexander Wang leather fringe look.