VMAs Artist of the Year finally announced after it was missed from show

13 September 2023 , 04:33

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VMAs Artist of the Year finally announced after it was missed from show

MTV VMAs has finally announced the winner of this year's Artist of the Year category after mass confusion when it was seemingly missed from the show.

Over an hour after the show ended, the website finally updated to announced this year's prestigious gong went to Taylor Swift.

Viewers were expecting to see the winner announced with the rest of the awards during the three-hour show on Tuesday night, and were left scratching their heads when the credits rolled without it being announced.

It was a busy night for Taylor, who also took away the prize for Best Song, Best Video, Best Pop and Best Director. However the highlight of her evening appeared to be when NSYNC reunited on stage, with Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, and Chris Kirkpatrick walking onto the stage for a surprise appearance. Taylor couldn't control her excitement and was seen jumping up and down and screaming with thousands of other excited fans.

Taylor Swift on at this year's VMAs (Getty Images)

Taylor looked emotional as she picked up her prize (Getty Images)

The category was bursting with talent once again this year with six big names battling it out for the gong, won last year by Bad Bunny. While the artist - currently linked to a romantic connection with Kendall Jenner - wasn't on the nomination list this time out, the award was to be in safe hands.

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Among those up for the award at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, was an all-female line-up consisting of Doja Cat, Beyonce, Karol G, Nicki Minaj, Shakira and Taylor Swift. Tay Tay was the runaway leader in the nominations stakes this year, with the Shake It Off singer up for a whopping 11 awards.

Shakira was nominated in the category (Billboard via Getty Images)

As was Beyonce (AFP via Getty Images)

With six possibilities to bag an award each was Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj, while Hips Don't Lie starlet Shakira receiving MTV’s coveted Video Vanguard Award, presented by Toyota, with the Colombian also taking to the stage to perform live for the first time at the ceremony since 2006. She became the first South American to receive the honour, while Diddy was also recognised, being awards the coveted Global Icon Award.

The event marked the 40th edition of the glitzy ceremony and is hosted by Nicki Minaj for the second year in a row. It's in new territory by being held on a Tuesday. Also up for grabs included awards for Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Collaboration. Show of the Summer and Song of the Summer were eagerly anticipated pre-show, as was the album of the year.

Zoe Forsey