MTV’s 2024 Video Music Awards will feature a performance from singer, songwriter, and rapper Megan Thee Stallion, but she’s also making her debut as a solo award show host. While she has guest-hosted “Saturday Night Live” and acted as a co-host for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” she’s now headed to the stage with fellow musicians.
The show will be kicked off with an opening set from Eminem, who is returning to the VMAs stage for the first time in two years, followed by performances from numerous exciting artists including one of the most popular names in music: Taylor Swift.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 MTV VMAs.
When Are the VMAs?
The VMAs were moved back by a day due to the United States presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, whose campaigns agreed to hold the debate on the VMAs’ former date of September 10. As a result, the VMAs are taking place on September 11 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York.
The Notable Nominations
It comes as no surprise that Taylor Swift stands at the top of the VMAs this year, boasting eight nominations for her “Fortnight” music video alone. The artist earned twelve nominations in total, in two social categories, as well as acknowledgments in both the Artist of the Year and Best Pop categories. Ten out of the eleven of “Fortnight” collaborator Post Malone’s nominations come alongside Taylor Swift, though he earned an additional nomination for recent hit “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen.
Eminem earned eight nominations, while SZA, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and host Megan Thee Stallion each received seven.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Benson Boone, Charli XCX, GloRilla, Chappel Roan, and Teddy Swims each received four nominations for themselves. The show will feature 29 first time nominees.
Additional artist of the year nominees include Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Eminem, Sabrina Carpenter and SZA.
Performers at the VMAs
Eminem is the opener for the VMAs, but other performers include Katy Perry, Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Megan Thee Stallion, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, LISA, Rauw Alejandro, Karol G, LL COOL J, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, and Anitta, who will be joined by Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, and Tiago PZK.
Presenting at the VMAs
Addison Rae, Alessandra Ambrosio, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Big Sean, Busta Rhymes, Carson Daly, Cyndi Lauper, Måneskin’s Damiano David, DANNA, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Flavor Flav, French Montana, Halle Bailey, Jordan Chiles, Lil Nas X, Miranda Lambert, Naomi Scott, Paris Hilton, Suki Waterhouse, Thalía and Tinashe will present at the VMAs.
The Video Vanguard Award
Established in 1984, the Video Vanguard Award is a recognition of lifetime achievement conferred to recording artists and music video directors by MTV during the VMAs. Previous recipients of the prestigious award include Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Missy Elliott.
This year, Katy Perry will receive the Video Vanguard Award, and she will also be performing during this year’s VMAs for the first time since 2017. At that time, she both performed and hosted the award show—much like Megan will this year.
In addition to this year’s awards, Perry won three VMA awards in 2011, including Video of the Year for “Firework,” as well as Best Collaboration and Best Special Effects for “E.T.” In 2012, she won Best Art Direction for “Wide Awake,” and in 2014 she won Best Female Video for “Dark Horse,” featuring Juicy J. An award for the VMAs’ Most Iconic Performance for “Roar” is pending.
Voting
Fan voting in 15 categories ended on Friday, September 6. Voting for Best New Artist will be active throughout the show, so be sure to tune in.
