Taylor Swift and Peso Pluma make history, Shakira’s return, more top moments from 2023 MTV VMAs

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The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards were nothing short of iconic.

Taylor Swift became the most-awarded artist of the night, NSYNC had a surprise reunion just in time to present the “Karma” singer with an award for best pop song and the Tuesday broadcast celebrated artists from around the globe, including Shakira, Peso Pluma, Stray Kids, Rema and Anitta.

Nicki Minaj hosted and performed during the show, which took place at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Sean “Diddy” Combs was honored with the Global Icon Award after performing hits from throughout his 30-year career with his children on stage with him. The “She Wolf” singer was back and better than ever as Shakira accepted the Video Vanguard Award and gave a medley performance.

Here’s a look back at some of the top moments from the 2023 VMAs.

Taylor Swift wins the most awards at 2023 VMAs, including video of the year

Swift was the biggest winner at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. She went into the night with the most nominations, and left with nine wins including artist of the year, best pop, song of the year and video of the year.

Tuesday’s wins made her the second-most awarded artist in the show’s history. She’s also tied for the most wins in one night.

It was the second year in a row she took home the night’s top prize, having won video of the year for “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version). 

“This is unbelievable. The fact that this is a fan-voted award means so much to me,” Swift said in her acceptance speech. “It’s really felt like the adventure of a lifetime this past year. I cannot believe that it was a year ago at the VMAs that I announced the ‘Midnights’ album. All I have to say tonight is thank you.”

Diddy’s twin daughters, son King Combs join him on stage at VMAs as he accepts Global Icon Award

Diddy has been a global icon but Tuesday night, he was awarded with the official honor at the MTV VMAs.

Before accepting the Global Icon Award from Mary J. Blige and his daughter Chance Combs, the Grammy-winning hip hop mogul, 53, took to the MTV Video Music Awards stage to perform an iconic collection of his biggest hits including “Mo Money Mo Problems,” “I’ll Be Missing You” and “It’s All About the Benjamins.”

Diddy was joined onstage by some of his greatest collaborators including Yung Miami, as well as Keyshia Cole for “Last Night.” His performance Tuesday was also a family affair as his twins Jessie and D’Lila Combs joined their father onstage as backup dancers and son Christian “King” Combs performed alongside him.

Diddy finished his speech with gratitude for how his life and career have panned out. “I thank God for this choice that he made for me to be able to touch you with my music, give you a good time, make you dance, make you feel good. That’s the only intention.”

Shakira hits VMAs stage after 17 years to perform medley of hits, receives Vanguard Award

Shakira made history Tuesday night as the first South American artist to be honored with the Video Vanguard Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

Before being honored, the Grammy-winning singer returned to the MTV VMAs stage for the first time in 17 years. Shakira hit the stage with an electric 10-minute bilingual medley of her decades of hits — “She Wolf,” her collaboration with Rauw Alejandro “Te Felicito,” the viral, record-breaking “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with Bizarrap among them — in a set introduced by her “Hips Don’t Lie” collaborator Wyclef Jean.

While accepting her honor, Shakira gave an extra thanks to the “amazing women” who helped her push industry boundaries while “wearing so many hats.” She also thanked her two sons Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, for believing she could do it all.

NSYNC reunites at VMAs to present Taylor Swift the best pop award

NSYNC reunited during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards Tuesday night to the delight of ’80s and ’90s kids across the country.

The five-piece boyband consisting of Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick and JC Chasez took to the stage to present the best pop award. The winner was none other than Swift, a fan herself who was visibly excited as she accepted the award.

“I had your dolls,” she told the former boy band members. “What’s going to happen now? They’re doing something and I need to know what it is. You’re pop personified.”

NSYNC hasn’t released new music in two decades. After several years of chart-topping hits, the band’s fourth and last album, “Celebrity,” released in 2001. They went on hiatus the following year, which is also when Timberlake’s Grammy-winning debut solo album, “Justified,” released.

Brutally honest reviews of every VMAs performance, including Shakira, Nicki Minaj and Demi Lovato

Peso Pluma makes history as the first Mexican performer at the VMAs

Amid columns of white light, the cool Mexican hotshot strutted around a circle of musicians waving his hands and bobbing through “Lady Gaga.” Even behind his ebony shades, Pluma’s intensity shot between the beams. Sprightly horns and upright bass colored the song, a hit from his third album, “Genesis.” 

Ahead of his performance, Pluma received death threats from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel due to a concert scheduled for Oct. 14 at Caliente Stadium in Tijuana, which could be canceled.

Early Tuesday morning, a banner threatening the singer was found on a vehicular bridge located at Prolongación Calle Segunda and Mirador Boulevard in La Isla subdivision of Tijuana.

“This goes to Peso Pluma, refrain from presenting yourself on October 14, because it will be your last show due to your disrespect and loose tongue, you show up and we are going to (break you),” reads the banner signed by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Contributing: Jennifer McClellan, Melissa Ruggieri, Anthony Robledo, KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; Diana Garcia, Mexico City correspondent for Arizona Republic

The full VMAs winners list, including Taylor Swift and Stray Kids