By Nora Quintanilla
Newark, US, Sep 12 (EFE).- Pop star Taylor Swift triumphed Tuesday with her song “Anti-Hero” at a 2023 MTV Music Video Awards (VMAs) dominated by women, hip-hop anniversary celebrations, and a last-minute mix-up.
American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift poses on the red carpet during the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, 12 September 2023. EFE/EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Swift was the most nominated artist of the evening and lived up to expectations, winning the most coveted awards – artist of the year, music video of the year, song of the year and pop video, in addition to best direction, since she stood behind as well as in front of the camera.
In the end, the superstar, who was up for 11 Moon Person statuettes, took home nine, also taking out album of the year, show of the summer, cinematography and visual effects.
However, MTV sowed confusion when, after four hours, the gala at the Prudential Center in New Jersey ended without the announcement of the winners of several categories, which it later updated on X (formerly Twitter) and on its website without answering questions from reporters.
In general, and despite the unforeseen event, it was a special awards ceremony for women, who for the first time took all the nominations for artist of the year.
The VMAs are the oldest music awards on the MTV network and have been awarded since 1984, so almost everyone on the night had an anecdote to tell about how they grew up watching the music channel, creating nostalgia.
South Korean boy group Stray Kids pose on the red carpet during the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, 12 September 2023. EFE/EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Boy band NSYNC reuniting onstage and a performance by rock band Fall Out Boy also contributed to the atmosphere, and contrasted with more current names such as Doja Cat, Mexicans Peso Pluma and The Warning, and the South Korean boy band Stray Kids.
Colombian singer and songwriter Shakira poses on the red carpet during the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, 12 September 2023. EFE/EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Colombian Shakira won the Video Vanguard Award, which she dedicated to her “Latin American people,” and later she collected another with compatriot Karol G for their collaboration “TGQ,” in which they remembered cities Barranquilla and Medellín.
Shakira also starred in one of the great moments of the gala when she compressed her hits into a fast-paced 10-minute medley in which she had time to dance, crowd surf, and climb onto a podium that rose into the air.
American rapper Niki Minaj poses on the red carpet during the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, 12 September 2023. EFE/EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Hip-hop was another of the stars of the night, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the genre, with a closing performance by pioneers such as Grandmaster Flash, LL Cool J, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, who won the award for best video in this genre for “Super Freaky Girl.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs, who received the Global Icon award, reviewed his most popular songs, such as “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Last Night,” in which he was accompanied by Keyshia Cole, along with also other notable names such as the young rapper Ice Spice, winner of best new artist.
American rapper Sean Combs (R) and his mother pose on the red carpet during the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA, 12 September 2023. EFE/EPA/SARAH YENESEL
MTV distributed several awards by musical genre and this year it premiered the afrobeats award, which went to the Nigerian singer Rema for his song “Calm Down” with Selena Gomez, which he dedicated to Africa. EFE
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