Much of the fun of MTV’s annual Video Music Awards happens right before the biggest names in music take the stage or the podium as presenters. The red carpet is where we caught our first glimpse of Lady Gaga’s meat dress; Pamela Anderson’s fluffy pink hat; Lil Kim’s purple pasties; and Jennifer Lopez’s white Sean John ensemble topped with a bandana.
The 2023 edition very much delivered when it came to memorable looks. The evening’s host, Nicki Minaj, and nominees, presenters and performers, including Olivia Rodrigo, Demi Lovato and Shakira, recipient of this year’s Video Vanguard Award, as well as the Global Icon honoree, Sean “Diddy” Combs, truly brought it. In a year when Taylor Swift, Doja Cat and Minaj herself dominated the top categories, the looks outside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, were as much fun as ever.
As soon as the stars began to arrive, it was obvious that those barely-there looks of the past would be rivaled. Megan Thee Stallion, Karol G and Doja Cat were just a few artists who rocked looks that we’ll probably be talking about at future shows.
Here are the glittery, gauzy and glamorous ensembles that the stars wore when they hit the pink carpet at the 2023 MTV VMAs on Tuesday:
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Shakira
Shakira arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Doja Cat
Doja Cat arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Anitta
Anitta arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Stray Kids
Stray Kids arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Cardi B
Cardi B arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Kelsea Balerini
Kelsea Ballerini arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Saweetie
Saweetie arrives at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Karol G
Karol G arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards 2023. ( Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
After previously having a viral stare-down with Sean “Diddy” Combs on The Four: Battle for Stardom, a recording artist and entertainment personality is detailing how he became a reality TV meme and...
Amy Sussman/Getty Images “He’s my fairy godmother of fashion,” actress Tessa Thompson told ESSENCE of her relationship with fellow thespian Colman Domingo when we caught a playful moment...
C’mon, finding roots! Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors received citizenship in Guinea after tracing their ancestry through DNA testing. The Hollywood couple was awarded citizenship in a private...
Source: Edward Berthelot / Getty Suspect Kelvin Evans is currently facing theft and trespassing charges. The charges come from allegations that Evans stole mutable hard drives belonging to...
Whew, chileeee Source: Netflix Mess has never been messier than it is in Netflix‘s deliciously plot twisty limited series His & Hers where the truth exists in a...