2023 VMAs Performers – Doja Cat, Shakira, Lil Wayne, and More – Cosmopolitan

The MTV Video Music Awards are nearly upon us, and dear reader, I simply can’t wait to see what shenanigans unfold at this year’s show. The VMAs have birthed some seriously viral moments from Britney Spears, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera‘s three-way kiss in 2003 to Lady Gaga‘s bloody performance of “Paparazzi” in 2009, to BLACKPINK‘s badass “Pink Venom” debut in 2022. And lest we forget the legendary Video Vanguard performances from Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, and Nicki Minaj over the years? Of course the 2023 VMAs will be no different with its stacked lineup of performers.

Like last year, the ~iconic~ awards show will take place at New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12 at 8 p.m. EST. About a month before the show, MTV announced its first round of performers on social media. The artists herald from several genres like K-pop, rap, and rock, and I will 100 percent be sat for this new class of chaos from the VMAs. Ahead, find a full list of the 2023 VMAs performers.

Shakira

Nicki Minaj was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at last year’s ceremony, and Colombian pop culture phenomenon Shakira is this year’s recipient. Shakira has made VMAs history in the past, as her song “La Tortura” with Alejandro Sanz was the first fully Spanish performance at the awards show. We can likely expect an epic medley from the Latina legend when she takes the stage.

Demi Lovato

That’s right, Demi is performing at the VMAs for the first time since 2017! With her album REVAMPED on the way, Demi may bring out some rock reimaginations of her greatest hits like “Cool for the Summer” and “Don’t Forget.” Or maybe she’ll belt out some tunes from her 2022 album, HOLY FVCK.

Måneskin

Italian rockstars Måneskin made waves after they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021, and they even had a wardrobe malfunction on stage at last year’s VMAs. I, for one, can’t wait to see what else they have lined up for their upcoming performance.

Karol G

Bichota season is in full swing as Karol G’s No. 1 album, Mañana Será Bonito, continues breaking records. Karol is set to make her debut on the VMA stage, and who knows? Maybe she’ll join Shakira for a performance of their bad bitch anthem, “TQG.”

Stray Kids

Stray Kids have become K-Pop icons in their own right, and they’re performing “S-CLASS” off their No. 1 album, 5-STAR, for the first time on U.S. television at the VMAs.

Doja Cat

If you haven’t caught wind of Doja Cat‘s new tracks, “Attention” and “Paint the Town Red” on your TikTok FYP (and, let’s be real, you’ve totally heard these by now), you might be able to hear them when she rakes in her new era with another VMAs performance under her belt. Doja has won 4 VMAs and she even hosted the whole show in 2021.

Lil Wayne

Weezy “F” Baby, and the “F” stands for “Freakin’ performing at the VMAs for the first time in 11 years.” The legendary rapper will be performing his upcoming single, “Kat Food,” for the first time at the show.

Kelsea Ballerini

During her first-ever VMA performance (!!), Kelsea Ballerini is celebrating her 30th birthday and treating fans to a world premiere performance from the expanded version of her EP, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good). BRB, getting ready to grab my tissues for this one.

Tomorrow X Together featuring Anitta

Tomorrow X Together is making their VMA performance debut as the first K-Pop band to cross-genre for an international performance with a special guest: our fave Brazilian baddie, Anitta.

Anitta

After her show-stopping performance last year, Anitta is hitting the stage again to perform a medley of songs from her latest project, Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story.

Assistant News Editor

Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn’t draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.