Katy Perry received the coveted Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV VMAs last night (September 11), and delivered a career-spanning performance of her biggest songs – check it out below.
The ceremony for the MTV Video Music Awards was held last night (September 11) and took place at the UBS Arena in New York, hosted by Megan Thee Stallion.
Winners on the night included Chappell Roan who won Best New Artist, Sabrina Carpenter who won Song Of The Year for ‘Espresso’ and Taylor Swift, who took home an impressive seven awards. Check out the full list of winners here.
One of the more prestigious awards on the night, the Video Vanguard Award, was given to Katy Perry, who took to the stage to perform a medley of her most famous hits, as well as a new song from her upcoming album ‘143’.
Starting off, the performance opened with a collection of the singer’s greatest videos, before she broke into a powerful rendition of ‘Dark Horse’ by floating into the middle of a circle on stage. Wearing a futuristic outfit, she then was launched into the air, and lifted above the audience as she went into ‘E.T’.
From there, she announced a new track with Doechii called ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’ – set to be released as the third single from her forthcoming new album ‘143’ – and played it live with the artist for the first time atop a clear stage.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be watching @katyperry‘s #VMA Video Vanguard performance for the rest of my life!pic.twitter.com/1HdShZ8L1Y
— MTV (@MTV) September 12, 2024
Later in the medley, Perry channelled her 2015 Super Bowl Halftime Show by playing ‘California Gurls’, as well as ‘Teenage Dream’, ‘I Kissed A Girl’ and ‘Firework’. She also integrated the second single from the upcoming ‘143’ album, ‘Lifelines’ into the 10-minute performance, holding up a mechanical blue butterfly.
‘143’ is due for release on September 20 (pre-order here) and was first previewed with the divisive lead single ‘Woman’s World’, which the pop star didn’t include in the VMA set.
During her acceptance speech for the award, Perry thanked MTV “for believing in my weirdness from day one and for helping artists extend their worlds beyond a song”. She also shared her gratitude to her friends, family and team, as well as reflecting on the early days of her career.
“There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decade-long accidents,” she added (via Rolling Stone). “Thank you to the friends who were there when my Jetta was repossessed, my KatyCats, who stood by for a lifetime, and the LGBTQ community who I recognise I would not be here without, and who show me that you can be both kind and c***.”
“One of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is I learn how to block out all the moles that every single artist in this industry has to constantly fight against, especially women,” Perry continued. “I just want to say with my whole heart: Do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art. Turn off social media, safeguard your mental health. Pause. Touch grass. Do what you were born to do just like I was born to do this.”
The singer’s latest studio album, ‘Smile’, came out in 2020. NME reviewed the LP at the time, giving it two stars: “It’s frustrating, as this is the woman behind some of the most fun – and biggest-selling – songs of all time.
“But as much as you want ‘Smile’ to be a return to form, her fifth album’s songs fail to grip. All in all, ‘Smile’ lacks the fireworks of Perry’s record-breaking years.”