The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards take place tonight (September 12) and will broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Both the broadcast and livestream of the main ceremony are set to begin at 8 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific) on MTV and MTV.com. Performers include Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Lil Wayne, Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj, Video Vanguard recipient Shakira, and more.
Taylor Swift and SZA lead the nominees this year, with eight and six nominations, respectively, including Video of the Year. Trailing them are Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sam Smith and Kim Petras, all of whom are tied with five nominations.
Follow along with all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
How to Watch the VMAs Pre-Show
The MTV VMAs pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern and will feature 90 minutes of performances and celebrity interviews. The pre-show will air on MTV, MTV2, CMT, and Logo. Saweetie is hosting the pre-show with Nessa, Dometi Pongo and Kevan Kenney. Slated to perform during it are NLE Choppa and Sabrina Carpenter.
How to Watch the VMAs Main Ceremony
The MTV VMAs officially begin at 8 p.m. Eastern, broadcast live via the flagship network. The show will air simultaneously on VH1, MVT2, Comedy Central, CMT, BET, BET Her, Paramount Network, and Nickelodeon. Cable-cutters can tune in via Paramount+, which offers a free seven-day trial period.
Nicki Minaj is this year’s emcee. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, she’ll also join Lil Wayne, Run-D.M.C.’s Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, Doug E. Fresh, LL Cool J, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in a centerpiece performance. Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B will perform their new song “Bongos” live for the first time, and Lil Wayne is set to do the same with his track “Kat Food.”
Shakira, who’s being honored as this year’s Video Vanguard Award, will sing as part of her award presentation. Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Anitta, and Måneskin all return to the program. Demi Lovato, Karol G, and Kelsea Ballerini are all set to take the stage, plus the K-pop groups Tomorrow X Together and Stray Kids, among other acts.
