The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards honored a le-lo-lo-le-lo-legend on Tuesday, naming Shakira as this year’s Video Vanguard recipient.
Shakira also took this opportunity to remind the world how she earned this prestigious honor, delivering a medley of her greatest hits. Everything from “She-Wolf” to “Objection (Tango)” was well-represented in the fiery performance.
Watch footage of Shakira’s performance via the tweet below, which we’ll replace with an official video if/when it becomes available:
Video Vanguard recipient Shakira performs her top hits at the 2023 #VMAs pic.twitter.com/7snWebNZEe
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 13, 2023
Recent Video Vanguard recipients include Nicki Minaj (2022), Missy Elliott (2019), Jennifer Lopez, (2018), Pink (2017), Rihanna (2016), Kanye West (2015), Beyoncé (2014), Justin Timberlake (2013), Britney Spears (2011), Duran Duran (2003), U2 (2001) and Red Hot Chili Peppers (2000). Major recipients from the previous millennium include Beastie Boys (1998), LL Cool J (1997), The Rolling Stones (1994), Guns N’ Roses (1992), Janet Jackson (1990), George Michael (1989), Michael Jackson (1988), Madonna (1986) and The Beatles (1984).
Shakira has a long history with the VMAs, dating all the way back to her International Viewer’s Choice win for “Ojos Así” in 2000. Since then, she has taken home three more awards — International Viewer’s Choice for “Whenever Wherever”/”Suerte” in 2002, Best Choreography for “Hips Don’t Lie” in 2006, and Most Earthshattering Collaboration for “Beautiful Liar” with Beyoncé in 2007 — and has been nominated for 22 others.
In addition to her Video Vanguard win, Shakira entered this year’s ceremony with four nominations: Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration with Karol G for “TGQ,” and Best Latin Video for both “TQG” and “Acróstico.”
Of course, Shakira was just one major performer at Tuesday’s VMAs, which also featured highly anticipated performances from Anitta, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Demi Lovato, Diddy, DMC, Doja Cat, Doug E. Fresh, Fall Out Boy, Future, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J, Måneskin, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Stray Kids, and Tomorrow X Together.
Hosted by Minaj, this year’s VMAs were broadcast live from Newark, N.J.’s Prudential Center. Frontrunner Taylor Swift entered the ceremony with 11 nominations, followed by SZA in second with six nods, plus five for Minaj, Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus and Sam Smith.