The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), distinct from the Grammys in presentation, tone, and style, still hold significant meaning for artists and fans. While the Grammy Awards are determined by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the major winners at the VMAs are decided by viewers who can vote through the MTV website. Only technical awards are determined by a jury.

The Grammys may be the gold standard for musicians, but the MTV VMAs offer a more relaxed atmosphere where artists who often don’t receive Grammy nominations can find success.

Conversely, artists who excel at the Grammys may not fare as well at the VMAs. This year’s VMAs reflected the tastes of the majority of young people.

Megan Thee Stallion wins big

It was a night of female dominance at the MTV Video Music Awards. Held at New York’s UBS Arena, the show was hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, who also won in the category of Best Art Direction for her music video of ‘BOA’. She beat out major artists like Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, and Lisa. Megan also won for Most Trending Video for ‘Mamushi’ featuring Yuki Chiba, tying for second most wins of the night. She also performed with a python in what was seen as an ode to Britney Spears.

Sabrina Carpenter wins for ‘Espresso’

When you are introduced by someone as legendary as Cyndi Lauper, you have to bring your A-game to the stage. And going by how fans are reacting online, Sabrina Carpenter most certainly did. We’re still not sure if it was the best performance in the history of the VMAs, but Sabrina Carpenter certainly tried. She performed a medley of her summer hits such as ‘Please Please Please’, ‘Taste’, and ‘Espresso’, and also tried to pay an ode to Britney Spears without actually performing a tribute. We’re not sure about the alien shtick onstage and why she felt it was necessary to have aliens and astronauts dancing with her. Let’s just say she went a little over the top. Her songs are pretty good as far as pop music goes. It wasn’t needed at all.

As for awards, Sabrina Carpenter, a first-time nominee, had a good night. She was nominated in six categories including artist of the year and song of the year, and she won for ‘Espresso’ in the category of Song of the Year. “This is really special,” she said in her acceptance speech, adding, ‘And thank you to that me-espresso.”

Katy Perry wins the Vanguard award and puts up a 10-minute performance

A very exciting artist, we almost lost sight of Katy Perry because of excellent artists like Lily Allen, Dido, and Dua Lipa. But at the VMAs, she won for her performance of ‘Roar’ and the very special Vanguard award. She also performed a 10-minute set during which she performed some of her most famous songs, including ‘Dark Horse’, ‘E.T.’, ‘Teenage Dream’, ‘Firework’, and ‘Lifetimes’, among others. During her speech, she gave a shoutout to her fiancé, actor Orlando Bloom. Former Video Vanguard Award recipients include Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna.

Winners, winners, and winners

Other artists who were some of the night’s big winners include names such as Tyla, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, SZA, Billie Eilish, Lisa, and Seventeen, among others. In this image, Lisa accepts the best K-Pop award for ‘Rockstar’.

Taylor Swift wins, again

Taylor Swift has won more Grammys than artists like Beyoncé, even though many argue that Beyoncé deserves more. Cowboy Carter wasn’t even nominated. Swift’s wins have made history at the VMAs, surpassing Beyonce’s total. It seems like the world is officially coming to an end.

Tom Cruise, Stephen Colbert, and Mariska Hargitay are just a few of the Hollywood A-list celebrities who have been spotted at her concerts and are known as ‘Swifties.’ Her girl squad includes Gigi Hadid, Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, Cara Delevingne, and Zoë Kravitz. There have been others, but tracking the squad’s past and present is an exhaustive task that would require another article.

The point of all this is that Taylor Swift is like the queen of music in America, and everyone loves her. So, it wasn’t surprising when she swept the MTV Video Music Awards with 12 nominations, including the big ones: Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year. With nods in categories such as Best Pop, Song of Summer, as well as several technical categories including Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, and more, Taylor Swift was bound to win. It was obvious when the list was announced.

Did she? Yes

Taylor Swift won in major categories like Video of the Year and Artist of the Year as well as Best Collaboration, Song of Summer, and Best Pop, with a total of seven wins. Because Post Malone collaborated with Taylor Swift on the song ‘Fortnight,’ he managed to win five awards as well.

During an acceptance speech, Taylor Swift remembered 9/11 and said: “Waking up this morning in New York on September 11, I’ve just been thinking about what happened 23 years ago — everyone who lost a loved one and everyone that we lost. And that is the most important thing about today. And everything that happens tonight falls behind that.”

Yes, because the MTV Video Music Awards were held on the night of September 11. We’re not even going to try and figure that mystery out.

Taylor Swift also told fans over 18 to register and vote. She didn’t name Kamala Harris at the VMAs, but that’s because she’s already endorsed her.

Shady’s back

The controversial and very popular artist, Eminem, opened the show, performing his latest hit, ‘Houdini,’ as well as ‘Somebody Save Me.’ He went on to win two awards.

Shawn Mendes stays with the guitar

Shawn Mendes debuted a new song at the VMAs stage called ‘Nobody Knows’ and brought the guitar vibes. It was a very different, low-key performance.

Benson Boone flips

Another artist to win at the MTV VMAs, Benson Boone also put on an eye-popping performance as the singer-songwriter literally flipped during his performance of the song, ‘Beautiful Things.’