This year’s MTV Video Music Awards could be record-breaking and full of surprises as the star-studded show airs tonight on its 40th anniversary. Here are the artists whose music videos are up for the event’s biggest accolades and what to expect as the night unfolds.
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Where can I watch the VMAs online?
MTV will have a live pre-show on YouTube to kick off the ceremony.
Otherwise, you can watch through television streaming packages, such as YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV.
Who is the host?
Megan Thee Stallion will make her hosting debut. She is fresh off the release of her latest album “Megan,” which includes “Mamushi,” the hit single featuring Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba that spurred a TikTok dance trend, and “Hiss,” a diss track released amid her feud with Nicki Minaj. She’s also nominated for five VMAs this year.
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Who’s up for the big awards?
The biggest names in music will contend across different categories.
For video of the year, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Eminem, SZA, and Taylor Swift (feat. Post Malone) will duke it out. It’s a similar story for artist of the year, where Grande, Eminem, Swift and SZA will be in contention with Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter.
Song of the year, meanwhile, features a bout between Beyoncé (“Texas Hold ’Em”), Jack Harlow (“Lovin’ on Me”), Kendrick Lamar (“Not Like Us”), Carpenter (“Espresso”), Swift and Post Malone (“Fortnight”), and Teddy Swims (“Lose Control”).
Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Swims and Tyla will compete for best new artist.
You can see a full list of awards and nominees on the VMAs website.
Who is presenting?
More than a dozen celebrities have been tapped to present awards, including household names such as Big Sean, Busta Rhymes, DJ Khaled, Halle Bailey, Lil Nas X, Paris Hilton and (fresh off his Olympics highlight reel) Flavor Flav.
Other presenters include TikTok star Addison Rae, model Alessandra Ambrosio and MTV legend Carson Daly.
Who is going to perform?
The VMAs picked a slew of artists to rock the stage Wednesday night, including Carpenter, Roan, Camila Cabello, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz and Swims.
Eminem will open the show for the first time since 2010, when he opened with “Love the Way You Lie” with Rihanna. Eminem also performed in 2022 alongside Snoop Dogg, though they did not kick off the show.
Who’s getting the Video Vanguard Award?
Katy Perry. Yes, despite the string of controversial statements and radio duds she’s shelled out recently, Perry will receive the award that honors artists for their lifetime achievements. Past winners include Shakira, Pink, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna.
Should we expect any drama or records?
The opening performance by Eminem might have some drama. His hit song “Houdini,” which was released in May, includes a line directed at Megan Thee Stallion. The controversial lyric — “If I was to ask for Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me, would I really have a shot at a feat?” — referenced rapper Tory Lanez shooting Megan in the feet in 2020. We’ll see what happens there, especially since Megan, though a host, is also listed as a performer on the VMA’s website. Maybe we will get that collab after all.
Eminem could also break a record. He’s currently tied with Peter Gabriel for most VMA wins by a solo male artist and has eight nominations this year, including video of the year for “Houdini.”
Speaking of records, Swift, a 23-time VMA winner, could have a record-breaking night. She leads the pack with 10 traditional nominations, plus two more nods in fan-voted categories: Song of the Summer and Most Iconic Performance. A handful of wins would catapult her ahead of Beyoncé, who holds the record with 30 overall because of wins with Destiny’s Child and her husband, Jay-Z. Swift could snag her fifth video of the year award with “Fortnight” — which would set the record for that category, too.
Should we expect any surprises? (Looking at you, Taylor Swift)
That’s the question, isn’t it? There’s some speculation out there that Swift will announce or release the rerecorded version of her “Reputation” album because it is the 15th anniversary of the time Ye, formerly Kanye West, interrupted her onstage (which kick-started a feud between the two artists). Swift doesn’t hesitate to make announcements on the biggest stages, having revealed her 2022 album “Midnights” at that year’s VMAs and her 2024 album “The Tortured Poets Department” at the Grammys in February.
correction
An earlier version of this article stated that the VMAs would be broadcast live on Paramount Plus. The ceremony will not be broadcast live on Paramount Plus. The article has been updated.
