Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Steve Jennings/FilmMagic/Getty, Dana Jacobs/WireImage/getty
Yes, we want our MTV, but MTV just doesn’t want to get in the way of democracy. (Or compete with those debate numbers. You think they just fell out of a coconut tree?) So, the 2024 VMAs are now taking place September 11, to avoid competing with the presidential debate scheduled for September 10, which was the show’s original date. No, a Wednesday-night awards show isn’t brat, but a Tuesday-night one wasn’t really either — to say nothing of airing the show live from Long Island at UBS Arena. At least we’ll get to watch Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan perform, and top nominee Taylor Swift will likely be in the house. Oh, and Katy Perry will be receiving the Video Vanguard Award — yeah, now. Here’s what to know.
Who’s performing?
Two of the summer’s biggest breakouts, for starters. The VMAs locked down top nominee Sabrina Carpenter and Best New Artist nominee Chappell Roan to each make their main show debuts. (Carpenter played the pre-show last year.) Nominees Lisa from Blackpink, Lenny Kravitz, Camila Cabello, Glorilla, and Rauw Alejandro are also set to perform, with Alejandro planning to debut music from his upcoming fifth studio album. Best New Artist nominee Benson Boone will also make his VMAs stage debut, while Halsey is set to perform a new song off her upcoming album.
Who’s nominated?
Unsurprisingly, Taylor Swift comes in on top, with ten nominations. Most of those are for her “Fortnight” music video, which means her collaborator Post Malone is just behind with nine nods. Ariana Grande, Eminem, and Sabrina Carpenter each have six nominations, while Megan Thee Stallion and SZA have five. Swift is going for a three-peat in Video of the Year (after winning for “All Too Well” in 2022 and “Anti-Hero” in 2023), but she’ll have to beat Grande’s “we can’t be friends (wait for your love),” Billie Eilish’s “Lunch,” Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red,” Eminem’s “Houdini,” and SZA’s “Snooze.”
You’ll need to clear your Wednesday night now, with the VMAs shifting to September 11 to accommodate the presidential debate. The show will air on MTV at 8 p.m. ET and PT. MTV has yet to announce streaming plans, but the VMAs have previously streamed on Paramount+.
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