Katy Perry Set to Receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV VMAs

The pop star will also perform at the event, which will take place on September 11 at the UBS Arena in New York’s Belmont Park.

Sixteen years after making waves with “I Kissed a Girl,” Katy Perry is poised to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.

The pop sensation will also take the stage for a performance during the event, which will be held on September 11 at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York. The show, originally scheduled to air live on September 10, was moved to avoid conflicting with the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. 

Perry, a five-time VMA winner, last appeared at the awards show in 2017 as both a host and performer. Since her debut in 2008, she has achieved 14 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including nine No. 1 singles. Her second album, Teenage Dream, produced five No. 1 singles, equalling a record set by Michael Jackson with his 1987 album Bad.

The VMAs will precede the release of Perry’s new album, 143, scheduled for September 20. The album has already stirred controversy, with criticism over her collaboration with controversial producer Dr. Luke on the lead single “Woman’s World” and an investigation into the production company behind her “Lifetimes” music video for filming in protected areas of the Balearic Islands without authorization.

Taylor Swift leads the VMA nominations with ten nods, followed by Post Malone with nine. Multiple nominations also went to Ariana Grande, Eminem, Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Megan Thee Stallion, Lisa, Olivia Rodrigo, and Teddy Swims.

Previous Video Vanguard Award recipients include Beyoncé, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Rihanna, Shakira, and Justin Timberlake, with the inaugural honor shared by David Bowie, The Beatles, and director Richard Lester in 1984.

Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events at Paramount and Chief Content Officer of Music at Paramount+, praised Perry: “Katy is a musical powerhouse and true pop culture icon. With her groundbreaking creative vision, she has become a global sensation and conquered the world’s biggest stages. Her performance at the VMAs will showcase her incredible career and celebrate her greatest hits in a must-see event.”