It’s that time of year again: VMAs (aka the Video Music Awards) season. This year’s ceremony is stacked with performances from my fave celebs like Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter. Hosted by Nicki Minaj, you know the 2023 VMAs is going to be the show to see. Obviously, I need to know if we’re getting a Lizzo appearance. It seems like we won’t know whether or not the flutist will walk the red carpet until the night of. Lizzo’s year has been jam-packed with her “The Special 2our,” her jaw-dropping Grammy concert, and fending off those internet-breaking misconduct allegations. It’s anybody’s guess if she’ll grace us with her presence at the 2023 VMAs, but let’s go over what we do know about the iconic singer and her history with the award show.
2019: Lizzo makes her debut at the VMAs with a performance of “Truth Hurts / Good As Hell.”
With a big, bouncing booty behind her, Lizzo hyped up the crowd at the 2019 VMAs. Her backup dancers matched the energy in stunning gold and blue costumes. During the ceremony, Lizzo was nominated in four categories (“Best New Artist,” “Push Artist of the Year,” “Best Power Anthem,” and “Song of the Summer”), but sadly didn’t take home a win.
2020: The pandemic throws a wrench in things.
Lizzo was nominated once again in 2020, this time for “R&B Video of the Year” and “Best Editing.” She skipped the ceremony—as many celebrities chose to do at the height of COVID-19— and unfortunately lost both categories. Luckily, she copped her first Grammy earlier that year, so she wasn’t hurting for recognition.
2021: Lizzo skips the show to get some action.
In the realest turn of events, Lizzo skipped the 2021 VMAs to get some action in the bedroom. The songwriter won in the best artist x creator collab category for a viral TikTok in which she tried a new food trend. After learning of her win, Lizzo took to TikTok where she revealed the NSFW reason she missed the show…she was busy getting some! Good for her.
2022: Lizzo serves looks and addresses the haters.
During the 2022 VMAs, the singer received five nominations and went home with one win. She arrived at the event dressed in a breathtaking, blue Jean Paul Gaultier number with cobalt lips to match her gown. During her acceptance speech for her “Video for Good” win thanks to her hit track “About Damn Time,” Lizzo let everyone know how she keeps her cool in the face of all the hate she receives. “They be like, ‘Lizzo, why don’t you clap back? Why don’t you clap back?’ ‘Cause b****h I’m winning!” she said.
2023: We don’t know yet.
Lizzo is touring and lining her shelves with even more awards so it’s unclear if she’ll make time for the 2023 VMAs. She’s also not nominated in any category this year since she hasn’t been pushing out new music while she travels the globe. Either way, I’m ready to see what Miss Lizzo has in store for the near future. (I hope it’s a dazzling VMAs look.)