Doja Cat wore a spider web-inspired outfit while walking the pink carpet during the VMAs pre-show. Suffice it to say, it was more revealing than any Spider-Man costume could ever be.

To bring awareness to the earthquake that rocked his native country, Morocco, French Montana appeared on stage during the VMAs to announce a donation fund to help assist everyone impacted by the natural disaster. "Before we get to the nominees, I want to spread some love and light to Morocco. They’ve been hit with a big earthquake," he said. "I’m setting up our emergency fund with globalcitizen.org/morocco and I will be donating myself."

Taking to the stage last night, Diddy reminded the crowd why he was a constant hit machine during the late 90s and early 2000s. He performed his ‘97 Faith Evans and 112-assisted single “I’ll Be Missing You,” and his hit “Last Night” with Keyshia Cole, who joined him on stage. His son Christian Combs and Young Miami joined him for the “Gotta Move On” remix before he accepted his award.

One of the more lowkey and confusing yet dope moments was when Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake came face-to-face backstage at the VMAs. What originally was believed to be an argument was just admiration as the Houston rapper was getting ready for her next appearance on stage as the N’Sync member came up to her and said, “It’s so nice to meet you,” before Megan replied, “No, no this don’t count, this don’t count. We gotta meet proper.” A witness described the moment as “very cute.”

In one of the more heartwarming moments of the night, Shakira hit the stage for an incredible performance for the first time since 2006. She will also be featured in a new collaboration called “El Jefe,” out on September 20.

In a very crowded category this year, The Bronx’s Ice Spice took home the VMA for Best New Artist over GloRilla, Kaliii, Peso Pluma, Reneé Rapp, and her “Boy’s A Liar” collaborator PinkPantheress. During her speech, she thanked her fanbase (aka her “Munchkins”), producer, manager, and god for the victory.

Global music continues to finally get its due at major award ceremonies, as the Afrobeats genre was well-represented at this year’s VMAs. Ultimately, Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” would take the award for Best Afrobeats in a crowded category. They won over Ayra Starr’s “Rush,” Burna Boy’s “It’s Plenty,” Davido ft. Musa Keys’ “UNAVAILABLE, ”Fireboy DML & Asake’s ”Bandana,” Libianca’s “People, and ”Wizkid & Ayra Starr’s “2 Sugar.”

In perhaps the night's best performance, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion took the stage to perform their brand new, end-of-summer hit “Bongos,” the video for which dropped just last week. The duo returned to the awards stage for the first time since teaming up for a rendition of “WAP” during the 2021 Grammy Awards.

S.O.S. continues to rake in the praise, and deservedly so, as SZA took home the award for Best R&B for her infectious single “Shirt.” The award was her third VMA, with “Shirt” being her first solo song to win the award.

While tributing the 50th anniversary of hip-hop is not anything particularly new in 2023, the VMAs did their version, and it was spectacular. Closing out the Video Music Awards, the stage was graced by acts like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C., and Nicki Minaj.