Katy Perry will be the recipient of the Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards next month. The pop star will also perform a career-spanning medley of her biggest hits during the September 11 ceremony, which will be broadcast live from UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Last year, Shakira accepted the accolade, joining a pantheon of honorees including Niki Minaj, Beyoncé, Madonna, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Britney Spears, and more.
Perry dropped her comeback track “Woman’s World” last month, simultaneously announcing her next studio album 143. The subsequent song “Lifetimes” arrived last week. 143 is out September 20, and will mark Perry’s first studio LP since she released Smile in 2020.
Katy Perry made her MTV VMAs debut in 2009, when she joined Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry on stage for a live version of “We Will Rock You.” She secured her first three Moon Person trophies in 2011—for her Kanye West collaboration “E.T.” and her mega hit “Firework.” Perry’s last appearance at the VMAs occurred in 2017, when she hosted the ceremony and performed “Swish Swish” with Nicki Minaj.
Earlier this month, the 2024 VMAs revealed its full list of nominees; Taylor Swift leads the pack with a total of 10 nods, while Post Malone follows closely with nine. Ariana Grande, Eminem, Megan Thee Stallion, SZA, Olvia Rodrigo, have all been nominated in multiple categories. Sabrina Carpenter—a first-time VMAs nominee—is up for six awards.
Performers at the 2024 show include Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, Glorilla, Rauw Alejandro, and Sabrina Carpenter. More acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Follow along with all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
