It’s the international year of the woman in the Artist for the Year category at the MTV Video Music Awards.  All of the nominees this year are women – Shakira, Beyonce, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Karol G, and Taylor Swift.

Last year Nicki Minaj was joined by Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow to host the annual video music awards show.  This year Minaj returns for a solo gig as the host of the gala event broadcast live from Newark, New Jersey.

In the pre-show event Dove Cameron was presented with the Moonperson award for Video for Good for her song “Breakfast”.

Among the performances during the night is a gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop that features DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, LL Cool J and Nicki Minaj.

Taylor Swift leads the list of nominees in the fan voted awards with eleven.  She currently has 14 of the moonperson awards to rank fourth behind Beyond, Madonna, and Lady Gaga.

There are 35 first time nominees this year; SZA, Kim Petras, Metro Boomin’, Doja Cat, and Davido have all garnered multiple awards nominations.

Latina star Shakira is set to receive the Video Vanguard Award; joining Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Missy Elliott as a recipient of the award.

Music mogul Diddy will receive the Global Icon Award; joining the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Foo Fighters as a recipient of the award.

Lil Wayne gets the night of music started off with a performance.

Olivia Rodrigo gave a performance.

Donned in pink, Nicki Minaj took the stage to loud cheering form the audience. 

For the first time in over a decade the boys of N’Sync take the stage together.  It has been 20 years since they band won their first VMA for “Bye, Bye, Bye”.  The band presents the first award of the night for Best Pop to Taylor Swift for “Anti-Hero”.  Seven of her eleven award nominations tonight are for “Anti-Hero”.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion take the stage to perform their new single “Bongos”.

Demi Lovato performs a medley of her songs with an all female band to promote her new album “Revamped” set for a release this Friday.

The award for Best K-Pop went to the Stray Kids for “S-Class”.  The band stood shocked upon hearing their name before taking the stage.

Doritos returns to help showcase some of the upcoming talent.  Kaliii gives a performance.

The award for Song of the Year went to Taylor Swift for “Anti-Hero”.

Brazilian artist Anitta takes the stage for a performance.  Her music has been streamed over seven Billion times.

The award for Best R&B went to SZA who was not in attendance at the awards presentation.

Doja Cat takes the stage for a performance.

K Toven performs on the Doritos stage.

Shakira receives the Video Vanguard Award.  Wycleaf Jean reports that she has SOLD 95 million albums around the world.  The Colombian born artist takes the stage for a performance in English and Spanish.  Wycleaf Jean presented the gold moonperson to Shakira – he worked with her on the “Hips Don’t Lie” video.  Her children were present to see her win the award.

Billy Porter announced that this Hip-Hop artist has had over 100 Billboard Hot 100 hits as he introduces Nicki Minaj for a performance.

Hip-Hop is celebrating 50 years of music; but this year for the first time in history, Latin music has earned $1 Billion in streaming.

The award for Best Latin goes go Anitta for “Funk Rave”.

Karol G takes the stage for her VMA debut.

New Artist nominee Renee Rapp performs “Too Well” on the Doritos stage.

Mary J Blige presented the Global Icon Award to Sean “Puff Daddy”, “Diddy” Combs.  His record label Bad Boy has SOLD over 500 million albums around the world!  Diddy gives a performance with a number of special guests.  Diddy’s daughter Chance helped Blige present the golden moonperson award to Diddy.  The icon, Diddy bowed before Chance and Blige after receiving the award.  He noted “loved wins” and thanked everyone for honouring him.  He called it a dream come true; adding that he grew up watching MTV.  Diddy said that he had originally planned to be a professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers but broke his leg.

Renee Rapp returns to the Doritos stage for another performance.

Mexican artist Peso Pluma takes the stage for his VMA debut.

In a VMA first, Afro Bests gets its first award at the VMA’s.  The first award is presented to Rema and Selena Gomez for “Calm Down”.

South Korean K-Pop artist the Stray Kids take the stage for a performance.

The Mexican trio The Warning perform on the Doritos stage.

The award for Best Hip-Hop goes to Nicki Minaj for “Super Freaky Girl”.

Metro Boomin’ is joined by some friends for a performance.

The award for Best Collaboration goes to Karol G and Shakira for “TQO”.

For the first time in over a decade, Fall Out Boy returns to the VMA’s for a performance on the outdoor stage.

The award for Best Direction of a Video goes to Taylor Swift for “Anit-Hero”.

K-Pop artists Tomorrow x Together and Latin start Anitta join forces to debut their new single for a VMA first.

The Warning return to the Doritos stage for a performance.

The Italian rock group Maneskin for a performance.

Dove Camerson presents the award for Best New Artist to Ice Spice.

Country music star Kelsea Ballarini celebrates her 30th birthday with a debut performance on the VMA stage.

Five decades of artists celebrate 50 years of Hip-Hop with a start studded performance including Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, DMC, and LL Cool J.

The big award of the night was for Video of the Year and went to Taylor Swift for “Anti-Hero”.


Awards not presented during the live television broadcast:
Push Performance of the Year: Tomorrow X Together for “Sugar Rush Ride”
Best Rock: Maneskin for “The Loneliest”