The pop music legend behind iconic music videos for songs “Roar,” “E.T.,” “Last Friday Night,” and “California Gurls” is getting the VMAs’ most-coveted award. On Thursday, MTV announced that Katy Perry will be given the Vanguard Award at this year’s ceremony on Sept. 11. She’s also slated to perform at the show.
“Katy is a musical powerhouse and true pop culture icon,” said Bruce Gillmer, a Paramount executive, in a press release. “With her game-changing creative vision, she has become a global phenomenon and taken over the world’s biggest stages.”
Over the years, Perry has won five Moon Persons. In 2011, she won Video of the Year for “Firework” and Best Collab and Best Special Effects for “E.T.” with Kanye West. In 2012, she took home the trophy for Best Art Direction for “Wide Awake” and Best Female Video in 2014 for “Dark Horse” with Juicy J.
In 2017, Perry took on hosting duties at the awards show, where she also performed her Witness single “Swish Swish” alongside Nicki Minaj. Before then, Perry also sang “Roar” at the 2013 VMAs.
“Katy’s prowess will be on full display LIVE on the VMAs with a can’t-miss, career-encompassing performance celebrating her biggest moments and chart-topping hits,” Gillmer added. (Trisha Paytas, who starred in the “Woman’s World” video, leaked the Vanguard Award news on her show earlier this week.)
Perry will join a long list of icons to receive the coveted trophy. Shakira won the award in 2023, Nicki Minaj won it in 2022, and Missy Elliott took home the prize in 2019.
The Perry recognition will arrive just a week before she is set to release her sixth album, 143, which will feature Kim Petras, Doechii, and 21 Savage. The LP has had somewhat of a tumultuous launch since she released its lead single “Woman’s World” in July. She quickly followed the track with “Lifetimes” earlier this month.
Earlier this week, the VMAs announced that the awards ceremony will feature performances from Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Camila Cabello, GloRila, and Rauw Alejandro. MTV also pushed back its air date to Sept. 11 instead of Sept. 10 to make way for the presidential debate.
The VMAs dropped its list of nominees last week, with Taylor Swift leading the charge with 10 total nominations, many of which were for Tortured Poets Department single with Post Malone, “Fortnight,” including for Video of the Year. Malone picked up nine nods, Ariana Grande has six, as does Eminem and Carpenter. The Artist of the Year category includes Swift, Grande, Eminem, Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and SZA.
