The international sensation makes history as the first South American artist to receive the award
Global megastar, Grammy, and Latin Grammy Award winner Shakira will receive MTV’s coveted Video Vanguard Award, presented by Toyota, marking the first time the award has been given to a South American artist. She is slated to accept the award and perform for the first time on the MTV stage in 17 years, at the 2023 VMAs, airing live from Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12 at 8 pm ET/PT.
The four-time VMAs winner, who took home her first Moon Person in 2000 for International Viewer’s Choice (Latin America North), received four nods this year for Best Collaboration, Best Latin twice and the much-coveted Artist of the Year.
“Shakira is a true global force who continues to inspire & influence the masses with her unique, musical prowess. She’s a trailblazer for women around the world & one of the first artists to lead the globalization of Latin music,” states Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+. “Her massive impact across the musical landscape will be long-lasting as she continues to create and entertain at the highest level.”
This year Shakira became the first female vocalist of all time to debut in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 with a Spanish-language track with “BZRP Music Sessions Vol. 53”, and again a month later with “TQG.”
Shakira recently made history in the Top 3 spots on the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay Chart, an achievement never before reached in the list’s nearly 30-year history.
Earlier this year, she broke 14 Guinness World Records with “BZRP Music Sessions Vol. 53,” including the most streamed Latin track on Spotify in 24 hours, most viewed Latin track on YouTube in 24 hours, fastest Latin track to reach 100 million views on YouTube, and most streamed Latin track on Spotify in one week.
Previous Michael Jackson Vanguard Award recipients include Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, and Missy Elliott. David Bowie, The Beatles, and director Richard Lester shared the honor at the first-ever VMAs (1984).
Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskin and Stray Kids are the first round of global performers set to take the “VMAs” stage. Additional names to be announced soon.
Taylor Swift leads the VMAs nominations with eight, closely followed by Sza with six, Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Smith with five each, and Blackpink, Diddy and Shakira with four apiece.
Fans can vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories, including the highly-coveted Video of the Year, presented by Burger King, by visiting vote.mtv.com through Friday, September 1st. Voting for Best New Artist will remain active into the show on Tuesday, September 12th. Nominations for social categories including Group of the Year and Song of Summer presented by M&M’s, will be announced at a later date.
