Every Jaw-Dropping and Dramatic Look at the MTV VMAs

Published on 9/12/2023 at 6:04 PM

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet kicked off at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Tuesday, Sept. 12. With preshow appearances from Saweetie in an Area design fresh off the runway and Sabrina Carpenter in a rhinestone bustier dress, the fashion was nothing short of statement-making. And there's good reason for that. The MTV VMAs have given rise to some of the most memorable, outrageous red carpet looks throughout history, from Lady Gaga's infamous meat dress in 2010 to Miley Cyrus's Atelier Versace harness in 2015.

This year's list of nominees put a Versace-clad Taylor Swift in the spotlight with eight nods and also recognized artists including SZA, Cyrus, Minaj, Doja Cat, Kim Petras, and Sam Smith. Olivia Rodrigo, who arrived in a gleaming Ludovic de Saint Sernin sheath stitched with Swarovski crystals, performed music from her second studio album, "Guts," which meant we could expect '90s style references on stage after the red carpet wrapped.

Back in 2022, Lizzo made the case for edge in a voluminous Jean Paul Gaultier number, Swift arrived in a tiny chain-mail Oscar de la Renta minidress, Lil Nas X showed his affinity for Harris Reed's couture garments in a dramatic feather-tiered skirt and matching headpiece, and Carpenter tapped into the hip-cleavage trend in a colorful Moschino halter gown with 3D florals.

Ahead, scroll through the 2023 arrivals to see how musicians continue to up the style ante at this very iconic award show. Then, see what everyone wore to the afterparty, and look back at all the unforgettable outfits from the 2022 MTV VMAs red carpet.

Cardi B at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Cardi B wearing a Dilara Findikoglu dress with Jimmy Choo shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Megan Thee Stallion at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Megan Thee Stallion wearing a custom Brandon Blackwood dress with Jacob & Co. jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Taylor Swift at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Taylor Swift wearing an Atelier Versace dress with Jimmy Choo shoes and jewelry by Maria Tash, Anita Ko, İTÄ, FoundRae, and Joseph Saidian and Sons at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Nicki Minaj at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Nicki Minaj at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Doja Cat at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Doja Cat wearing a Monse dress with Amina Muaddi shoes and Maria Tash jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Selena Gomez at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Selena Gomez wearing a custom Oscar de la Renta dress with Jimmy Choo shoes and Pasquale Bruni jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Saweetie at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Saweetie wearing Area Couture at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Olivia Rodrigo at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Olivia Rodrigo wearing a Ludovic de Saint Sernin Swarovski dress with Roger Vivier shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Chlöe at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Chlöe wearing a Roberto Cavalli by Fausto Puglisi dress with Jimmy Choo shoes and Stephanie Gottlieb jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Rita Ora at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Rita Ora wearing Rodarte at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Sabrina Carpenter at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Sabrina Carpenter wearing a custom Vera Wang Haute dress with Jimmy Choo shoes and Jacob & Co. jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Tinashe at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Tinashe wearing a Stella McCartney dress with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Shakira at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Shakira wearing an Atelier Versace dress with Piferi shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Ashanti at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Ashanti wearing a clutch that confirmed her relationship with Nelly at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Anitta at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Anitta wearing a Schiaparelli Haute Couture dress and Gianvito Rossi shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

*NSYNC at the 2023 MTV VMAs

*NSYNC's Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Justin Timberlake wearing Dior by Kim Jones with Tiffany & Co. jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Lil Nas X at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Lil Nas X wearing a Palomo Spain look with an Aylah Gallardo Bible bag at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Ice Spice at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Ice Spice wearing Giuseppe Zanotti shoes at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Demi Lovato at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Demi Lovato wearing Christian Louboutin shoes and jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz and Ofira Jewels at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Emily Ratajkowski at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Emily Ratajkowski wearing a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress from Opulent Addict with Piferi shoes and Melissa Kaye jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Dove Cameron at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Dove Cameron wearing a dress she codesigned with Coach, accessorized with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and Simon G jewelry, at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Sofia Carson at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Sofia Carson wearing an Alexandre Vauthier Couture dress with Jacob & Co. jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Billy Porter at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Billy Porter wearing a Namara look with Erickson Beamon jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Tiffany Haddish at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Tiffany Haddish wearing a Jason Wu dress with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and Reza jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Doechii at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Doechii wearing Dsquared2 at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Kelsea Ballerini at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Kelsea Ballerini wearing a custom Mônot dress with Jennifer Fisher jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Chase Stokes at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Chase Stokes wearing a Michael Kors Collection look with Jimmy Choo shoes and David Yurman jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Karol G at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Karol G wearing an Ashi Studio Couture dress over Wolford underwear with Amina Muaddi shoes and Jacob & Co. jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Thalía at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Thalía wearing Jacob & Co. jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.

Madelyn Cline at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Madelyn Cline wearing a Givenchy dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Sept. 12.