The 2023 VMAs Were a Gift to Millennials
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The 2023 MTV VMAs were truly for the millennials. Between *NSYNC's surprise reunion and Shakira's career-spanning performance, the ceremony on Sept. 12 was full of old-school moments that brought us back to the early aughts. (It helped that all of the stars practically look the same as they did 20 years ago.) The nostalgia revived an award show that's become a little stale in recent years, so here's to the talent bookers, who must be millennials themselves.
*NSYNC kicked off the night, presenting the first award of the ceremony to Taylor Swift. Swift's reaction was all of us — she fangirled as she received the Moon Person from "their golden pop hands" and demanded to know if something bigger was in the works. Appearing between newer performers like Olivia Rodrigo and Doja Cat, subsequent presenters included Ashanti, Nelly and Timbaland, and Mary J. Blige. In honor of their achievement awards, Diddy and Shakira put on show-stopping sets highlighting their music careers, and Fall Out Boy even took the stage later in the evening.
The MTV show was in its heyday in the 2000s, and some of the most talked-about moments in VMAs history took place in that time period. So it only makes sense producers wanted to re-create that Y2K magic with memorable performers and presenters from the era. You might remember Britney Spears's iconic snake cameo was in 2001, and the famous Madonna-Britney-Xtina kiss took place exactly two decades ago. Several of the stars are returning to the VMAs for the first time in years and, for some, decades. Now, that's not to say they aren't still relevant in 2023, but many did attract immense popularity during the early '00s.
Watching Shakira dance to "Hips Don't Lie," Nelly and Timbaland reunite on stage, and Diddy and Keyshia Cole perform "Last Night" unlocked core middle-school memories. Not to mention, it warmed my heart to see Ashanti commemorating her recent rekindling with Nelly via her clutch, which showcased a sweet throwback photo from their early-aughts romance.
Thanks, MTV, for indulging the millennials. Take a look back at all the nostalgic callbacks at the VMAs ahead.
Shakira's Career-Spanning Medley Performance
Before accepting her Video Vanguard Award, Shakira took the stage for an electric 10 minutes, singing her greatest hits including 2000s-era bangers like "Whenever, Wherever" and "Hips Don't Lie." From her dance moves and song choices to the production level, the performance felt nostalgic in many ways.
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Ashanti's Rekindled Romance With Nelly
Ashanti sweetly confirmed her rekindled romance with Nelly on the VMAs red carpet, carrying a clutch featuring a throwback photo of the couple. The two were a hip-hop power couple in the early aughts, collaborating on several hits and winning awards together. They split in 2013 after nearly a decade together, and recently gave their relationship a second chance.
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Nelly Furtado and Timbaland's Return to the Stage
Furtado and Timbaland had a full-circle moment when they presented the award for Song of the Year during the show. The pair gave us endless bops in the mid-2000s, like "Promiscuous" and "Give It To Me." It's 2007 again, because the pair recently collaborated with Timberlake on new song "Keep Going Up."
Diddy's Throwback Performance
As the Global Icon Award recipient, Diddy performed a series of his career-defining songs, many of which were born in the early 2000s. He brought his son King Combs on stage for famed songs like "I Need a Girl" and "Bad Boy For Life," and was also joined by Keyshia Cole to perform their 2007 hit, "Last Night."
*NSYNC's Surprising Reunion
*NSYNC shocked fans when they appeared on stage to present the first award of the night to Swift for "Anti-Hero." Swift's millennial heart couldn't take it, as she hilariously processed the surprise reunion while accepting her honor. After debuting in 1995, *NSYNC disbanded in 2002 — and now the boys are fueling rumors of a musical comeback.
Fall Out Boy's Nostalgic Performance
Though Fall Out Boy has stayed active for decades, the band was certainly a defining emo, pop-punk group of the 2000s. The middle schooler in me was thrilled to see them rocking it out on stage at the VMAs, just like they did in 2007.