Taylor Swift won the night. NSYNC reunited,Shakira and Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs were honored and 50 years of hip-hop were celebrated.
The most anticipated moment of Tuesday night's MTV Video Music Awards was the reunion of NSYNC. The band came together to present to Best Pop Award to none other than Taylor Swift. LL Cool J, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Grandmaster Flash, and Doug E. performed to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop.
The real showstopper, though, was Shakira, who accepted the Video Vanguard Award after delivering a breathless medley of hits including "She Wolf," "Objection" and "Hips Don't Lie."
Sean "Diddy" Combs took down the Global Icon Award, presented by his daughter, after a performance that took in his greatest moments, from solo hits to classics with the Notorious B.I.G.
Lil Wayne staked out his place in line for the next lifetime achievement award with a dizzying opening performance centered on "Uproar."
Olivia Rodrigo proved she knows her way around a production with a medley of "Vampire" and "Get Him Back" in which she was joined by an army of Olivia lookalikes.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion teamed up again to annoy the world's conservative gatekeepers, this time with a sizzling version of their new single, "Bongos."
Demi Lovato served notice that she's serious about her rock evolution with a high-decibel medley of "Heart Attack" and "Cool for the Summer," on which she was backed by an all-female band.
Doja Cat did what Doja Cat does best, teasing the audience with a performance of "Paint the Town Red" that built in intensity as she stripped from office gear to her usual hot girl action.
Nicki Minaj made a rare awards show appearance to deliver a subdued and poignant "Last Time I Saw You."
Karol G showed off her stadium-filling skills on a sexy take on "TQG."
Peso Pluma brought a mix of traditional vibe and modern sexiness to his performance.
Fall Out Boy delivered their Billy Joel pastiche of "We Didn't Start the Fire."
Best New Artist: Ice Spice
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Song of the Year: Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"
Best Pop: Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"
Best Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj - "Super Freaky Girl"
Best Alternative: Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste – "Candy Necklace"
Best K-Pop: Stray Kids - "S Class"
Best R&B: SZA - "Shirt"
Best Rock: Måneskin – "The Loneliest"
Best Latin: Anitta - "Funk Rave"
Best Afro-Beat; Rema and Selena Gomez - "Calm Down"
Best Collaboration: Karol G and Shakira - "TQG"
Best Direction: Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"
Best Cinematography: Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"
Best Visual Effects: Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero"
Best Art Direction: Doja Cat - "Attention"
Show of the Summer: Taylor Swift
Song of the Summer: Jung Kook ft. Latto – "Seven"
Album of the Year: Taylor Swift - Midnights