The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet kicks off at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ on Tuesday, 12 Sept. With pre-show appearances from Saweetie and Sabrina Carpenter, and Nicki Minaj acting as emcee, we can expect fashion that is nothing short of statement-making — and there's good reason for that. The MTV VMAs have given rise to some of the most memorable, downright-crazy red carpet looks throughout history, from Lady Gaga [1]'s infamous meat dress (which symbolised her support of the 2011 Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy repeal [2]) to Miley Cyrus [3]'s revealing Atelier Versace harness that was dripping with crystals at the 2015 ceremony.
This year's list of nominees [4] puts Taylor Swift [5] in the spotlight with eight nods, and also recognises artists including SZA, Cyrus, Minaj, Doja Cat, Kim Petras, and Sam Smith. Olivia Rodrigo [6] will perform music from her second studio album, "Guts," [7] which means we can expect definite style references to the '90s onstage after the red carpet wraps.
In 2022, Lizzo [8] made the case for edge in a voluminous Jean Paul Gaultier number [9]; Taylor Swift arrived in a tiny chainmail Oscar de la Renta minidress [10]; Lil Nas X showed his affinity for Harris Reed's couture garments in a dramatic feather-tiered skirt [11] and matching headpiece; and Carpenter tapped into the hip cleavage trend [12] in a colourful Moschino halter gown with 3D florals.
Look back at the 2022 MTV VMAs red carpet [13], then scroll through the 2023 arrivals ahead to see how musicians continue to up the ante when it comes to their glam at this iconic award show.
Megan Thee Stallion at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Megan Thee Stallion wearing a custom Brandon Blackwood dress with Jacob & Co. jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ on Sept. 12
Doja Cat at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Doja Cat at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ on Sept. 12
Saweetie at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Saweetie wearing Area Couture at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ on Sept. 12
Olivia Rodrigo at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Olivia Rodrigo [15] at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ on Sept. 12
Anitta at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Anitta wearing Schiaparelli Haute Couture at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ on Sept. 12
Karol G at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Karol G wearing Jacob & Co. jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ on Sept. 12
Cardi B at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Cardi B wearing a Dilara Findikoglu dress with Jimmy Choo shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Taylor Swift at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Taylor Swift [16] wearing an Atelier Versace dress with Jimmy Choo shoes and jewellery by Maria Tash, Anita Ko, İTÄ, and Joseph Saidian and Sons at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Nicki Minaj at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Nicki Minaj at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Selena Gomez at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Selena Gomez wearing a custom Oscar de la Renta dress [17] with Jimmy Choo shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Chlöe at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Chlöe wearing a Roberto Cavalli by Fausto Puglisi dress with Jimmy Choo shoes and Stephanie Gottlieb jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Rita Ora at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Rita Ora wearing Rodarte at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Sabrina Carpenter at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Sabrina Carpenter wearing a custom Vera Wang Haute dress with Jimmy Choo shoes and Jacob & Co. jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Tinashe at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Tinashe wearing Giuseppe Zanotti shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Shakira at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Shakira wearing an Atelier Versace dress [18] with Piferi shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Ashanti at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Ashanti wearing a clutch that confirmed her relationship with Nelly [19] at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
*NSYNC at the 2023 MTV VMAs
*NSYNC's Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Justin Timberlake [20] wearing Dior by Kim Jones with Tiffany & Co. jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Lil Nas X at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Lil Nas X wearing Palomo Spain at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Ice Spice at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Ice Spice wearing Giuseppe Zanotti shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Demi Lovato at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Demi Lovato [21] wearing Christian Louboutin shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Emily Ratajkowski at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Emily Ratajkowski wearing a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress from Opulent Addict with Piferi shoes and Melissa Kaye jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Dove Cameron at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Dove Cameron wearing a dress she codesigned with Coach, accessorised with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and Simon G jewellery, at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Sofia Carson at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Sofia Carson wearing an Alexandre Vauthier Couture dress with Jacob & Co. jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Billy Porter at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Billy Porter wearing a Namara look with Erickson Beamon jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Tiffany Haddish at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Tiffany Haddish wearing a Jason Wu dress with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and Reza jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Doechii at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Doechii wearing Dsquared2 at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Kelsea Ballerini at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Kelsea Ballerini wearing a custom Mônot dress with Jennifer Fisher jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Chase Stokes at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Chase Stokes wearing a Michael Kors Collection look with Jimmy Choo shoes and David Yurman jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Thalía at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Thalía wearing Jacob & Co. jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.
Madelyn Cline at the 2023 MTV VMAs
Madelyn Cline wearing a Givenchy dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewellery at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.