Sabrina Carpenter Is Taking the Stage at the 2023 MTV VMAs Pre-Show
The MTV Video Music Awards are nearly upon us, and dear reader, I simply can't wait to see what shenanigans unfold at this year's show. The VMAs have birthed some seriously viral moments from Britney Spears, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera's three-way kiss in 2003 to Lady Gaga's bloody performance of "Paparazzi" in 2009, to BLACKPINK's badass "Pink Venom" debut in 2022. And lest we forget the legendary Video Vanguard performances from Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, and Nicki Minaj over the years? Of course, the 2023 VMAs will be no different with its stacked lineup of performers.
Like last year, the ~iconic~ awards show will take place at New Jersey's Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12 at 8 p.m. EST. About a month before the show, MTV announced its first round of performers on social media. The artists herald from several genres like K-pop, rap, and rock, and I will 100 percent be sat for this new class of chaos from the VMAs. Ahead, find a full list of the 2023 VMAs performers.
Pre-Show Performers
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter is booked 👏 and 👏 busy 👏! After her stint as one of Taylor Swift's opening acts on the Eras Tour in Mexico, the "Nonsense" hitmaker is making her way to the Prudential Center as one of the performers for the VMAs Pre-Show.
NLE Choppa
Along with Sabrina, Memphis-based rapper NLE Choppa is also hitting the VMAs Pre-Show stage. After his debut single "Shotta Flow" blew up in 2018, NLE's flow continues to heat up with his latest track, "It's Getting Hot."
Main Show Performers
Sean "Diddy" Combs
Diddy is an icon who wears many hats, from being a chart-topping rapper to being an inspiring mogul. That's why the hip-hop legend is being honored with the prestigious Global Icon Award at this year's VMAs. Diddy is also up for 4 awards, including Best Rap and Best R&B, and he's performing on the VMAs stage for the first time since 2005.
Shakira
Nicki Minaj was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at last year's ceremony, and Colombian pop culture phenomenon Shakira is this year's recipient. Shakira has made VMAs history in the past, as her song "La Tortura" with Alejandro Sanz was the first fully Spanish performance at the awards show. We can likely expect an epic medley from the Latina legend when she takes the stage.
Demi Lovato
That's right, Demi is performing at the VMAs for the first time since 2017! With her album REVAMPED on the way, Demi may bring out some rock reimaginations of her greatest hits like "Cool for the Summer" and "Don't Forget." Or maybe she'll belt out some tunes from her 2022 album, HOLY F*CK. 👀
Måneskin
Italian rockstars Måneskin made waves after they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021, and they even had a wardrobe malfunction on stage at last year's VMAs. I, for one, can't wait to see what else they have lined up for their upcoming performance.
Karol G
Bichota season is in full swing as Karol G's No. 1 album, Mañana Será Bonito, continues breaking records. Karol is set to make her debut on the VMA stage, and who knows? Maybe she'll join Shakira for a performance of their anthem, "TQG."
Stray Kids
Stray Kids have become K-Pop icons in their own right, and they're performing "S-CLASS" off their No. 1 album, 5-STAR, for the first time on U.S. television at the VMAs.
Doja Cat
If you haven't caught wind of Doja Cat's new tracks, "Attention" and "Paint the Town Red" on your TikTok FYP (and, let's be real, you've totally heard these by now), you might be able to hear them when she rakes in her new era with another VMAs performance under her belt. Doja has won 4 VMAs and she even hosted the whole show in 2021.
Lil Wayne
Weezy "F" Baby, and the "F" stands for "Freakin' performing at the VMAs for the first time in 11 years." The legendary rapper will be performing his upcoming single, "Kat Food," for the first time at the show.
Kelsea Ballerini
During her first-ever VMA performance (!!), Kelsea Ballerini is celebrating her 30th birthday and treating fans to a world premiere performance from the expanded version of her EP, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good). BRB, getting ready to grab my tissues for this one. 🥲
Tomorrow X Together featuring Anitta
Tomorrow X Together is making their VMA performance debut as the first K-Pop band to cross-genre for an international performance with a special guest: our fave Brazilian baddie, Anitta.
Anitta
After her show-stopping performance last year, Anitta is hitting the stage again to perform a medley of songs from her latest project, Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story.
You Might Also Like
