7 Reasons to Watch the 2024 MTV VMAs: A Night Celebrating Women in Music

This year’s MTV VMAs will be hosted by five-time nominee Megan Thee Stallion, who is no stranger to commanding the spotlight. Megan has already proven her hosting chops on “Saturday Night Live” and as a co-host on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”. With her self-titled album released this year, featuring the chart-topping hit “Hiss,” Megan has solidified her place in the music industry, and fans are eagerly anticipating what surprises she has up her sleeve for this major hosting gig.

Over the years, the MTV VMAs have delivered some of the most memorable performances in music history, from Madonna’s provocative “Like a Virgin” debut to Beyoncé’s jaw-dropping pregnancy reveal. Each year, the VMAs stage becomes a platform for artists to push boundaries and create moments that live on in pop culture lore.

The performances are always at the center of the VMAs. With an exciting lineup for this year thus far, and more to be announced. You always can remember the iconic pop culture performances from the VMAs.

The 2024 VMAs continue this tradition with an exciting lineup of performers, including Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Lisa, Camila Cabello, Halsey, GloRilla, Benson Boone, Rauw Alejandro, and Lenny Kravitz. With such a diverse and talented roster, this year’s performances are sure to captivate audiences and create unforgettable moments that will be talked about for years to come.

Sabrina Carpenter’s album “Short n’ Sweet” releases tonight, August 23, following the success of her hit singles “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” Both tracks have been blaring on speakers all summer, and we’re excited to see Carpenter take the VMAs main stage for the first time in her career. Last year, she performed on the red carpet, highlighting just how much her star has risen in the past year.

Chappell Roan has also made quite a name for herself over the past several months. Fresh off opening for Olivia Rodrigo, Roan delivered a string of viral festival performances at Coachella, Gov Ball, and Lollapalooza—the latter attracting the biggest crowd in the festival’s history. With chart-climbing hits like “Good Luck, Babe!” and “HOT TO GO!”, we can’t wait to see what she has in store for her debut award show performance on the VMA stage.

Katy Perry, a pop legend whose career has been defined by chart-topping hits and iconic music videos, is being honored with the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at this year’s MTV VMAs. This award, previously bestowed upon luminaries like Rihanna, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, and P!nk, celebrates Perry’s enduring impact on the music industry and her visionary approach to visual storytelling.

As she gears up for the release of her upcoming album 143 on September 20th, anticipation is building. Her latest singles, “Lifetimes” and “Woman World,” have garnered mixed reviews from critics and fans alike, but there’s no doubt that Perry will bring the heat with a career-spanning medley performance that reminds everyone why she remains a powerhouse in pop music.

The first round of 2024 MTV VMA nominations was unveiled on August 6, with Taylor Swift leading the pack with ten nominations. Close behind is Post Malone with nine, while Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and Eminem each secured six nominations. Megan Thee Stallion and SZA also made strong showings, earning five nominations apiece.

Taylor Swift is poised to potentially make history at this year’s ceremony; with 23 VMA wins already under her belt, she is just seven wins away from tying Beyoncé’s record of 30 wins. If Swift clinches eight of her ten nominations, she will surpass Beyoncé and set a new record. With Beyoncé up for just one award this year—Song of the Year for “Texas Hold’ Em”—and Swift having taken home nine VMAs last year alone, all eyes will be on whether she can achieve this historic milestone.

Taylor Swift’s career has reached unprecedented heights in 2023 and 2024, solidifying her status as a cultural powerhouse. Her Eras Tour became the highest-grossing tour of all time, drawing millions of fans worldwide and showcasing her evolution as an artist. Swift has also dominated the music charts with multiple #1 albums and singles, while adding more Grammy Awards to her already impressive collection. She won “Album of the Year” at the 2024 Grammys for Midnights, marking her fourth win in the category—the most for any artist ever. Swift first announced Midnights at the 2022 VMAs after winning “Video of the Year.”

If Swift wins “Video of the Year” again this year, it will be her fifth win in the category. She currently holds the record for the most wins in this category with four. Her influence extends far beyond music, as she continues to shape cultural conversations and trends. With such monumental success, Swift is now in a prime position to break records at the 2024 MTV VMAs, potentially surpassing Beyoncé as the artist with the most VMA wins in history.

Will we see Swift dancing in the front row at the VMAs? Maybe even with Travis Kelce? The answer is most likely yes! She has attended 8 out of the 13 ceremonies where she has been nominated. Over the last two years, she won “Video of the Year” and was the star of the night. Another Swift sweep seems likely to happen again.

In today’s intense political climate, moments of lightness, like the 2024 VMAs, offer a much-needed escape. Originally scheduled for September 10th, the ceremony was shifted to September 11th to accommodate the presidential debate. Sometimes, it’s important to take a break from the weight of current events, turn off your brain, and simply enjoy watching your favorite stars take the stage. The VMAs provide a unique opportunity to witness pop culture unfold in real time, offering a refreshing distraction and a reminder of the joy and excitement that entertainment brings.

The 2024 VMAs will air on September 11th at 8 PM EST on MTV.