Calling all teenage dreamers, “California Gurls,” and extraterrestrial enthusiasts! Katy Perry was awarded this year’s MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the VMA’s. She performed some of her most memorable hits that undoubtedly struck a nostalgic nerve along with new songs from her upcoming album. This award makes perfect sense considering her first hit came out in 2008. Time really does fly!With a career spanning over 16 years, she included her biggest hits but of course she could not include them all.
If you’re unfamiliar with this award, here is a brief background. Also known in short as the Video Vanguard Award, it is awarded to those who have had outstanding musical achievements. Hence it being named after the late great Michael Jackson. Honorees in the past have included Nicki Minaj (2022), Rihanna (2016), Beyonce (2014), and Britney Spears (2011). Let’s not forget Madonna (1986), Michael Jackson (1988), and Janet Jackson(1990). Hopefully this provides a better understanding of how prestigious of an award this is. And lucky for us these awards are accompanied by a musical showcase by the artist.
This year Katy Perry did not disappoint. If you’ve been following her lately you know that she has a new album coming out on September 20th called 143 and the theme of this album era is giving off the 2024 version of The Bionic Woman. Her costume and stage décor were certainly on theme. Dressed by costume designer, Heather Picchiottino, she performed in a nude bustier by SEKS, a silver metal mesh skirt by Michael Schmidt Studios, and a sheer nude bodysuit by NoSceneGirls. These pieces were complimented by very detailed futuristic pieces by 3D print designer, Radimir.
Her performance started on 1 stage with her 2013 hit “Dark Horse.” She sang while being suspended in the air in the center of a huge portal-like ring of blue fire. Blue laser lights can be seen behind her as well. She also sang her 2011 hit “E.T.” on this stage which led into her next segment.
As Katy made her way to her 2nd stage where rap artist Doechii awaited her amongst robot limbs sprouting from a neon lit stage, Katy yelled, “VMA’s, make some noise for Doechii!”
They performed her new single from 143 “I’M HIS, HE’S MINE” which was officially released 2 days later.
A fan favorite came next. You can’t have a Katy Perry career extravaganza without the 2010 hit “California Gurls.” She made her way to another stage setup where she and her dancers performed on what resembled a metal structure. She playfully sang as she and her dancers slid down the silver structure with pink and orange smoke appearing in her virtual background.This was immediately followed by “Teenage Dream” with the original blue background she used in her opening song.
“Teenage Dream” transitioned into her first big hit, “I Kissed a Girl.” At this point Katy switched up her outfit by adding huge silver butterfly wings designed Jack Irving. She used the exact same butterfly design as the choker necklace she wore in her recent “LIFETIMES” music video. As she walked to a different stage with crowds of her adoring fans on either side, she belted out the lyrics to the song. She performed between her 2 guitarists which gave off the perfect rock star moment.
That rock star moment turned into a sincere moment as she passionately sang her next hit song, 2010’s “Firework.” You could see beautiful blue mechanical butterflies flying around her as she sang. Immediately afterwards we heard the intro to her latest single “LIFETIMES.” She enthusiastically walked back through the crown without her boisterous butterfly wings to the stage where she performed “Teenage Dream.” She finished her beautiful performance with her dancers in tow. The final glimpse showed her in a group pose with all her dancers plus one of herblue mechanical butterflies that she held to the sky.
Katy absolutely deserved this lifetime music award and her performance of meaningful and nostalgic singles showed that. Although this is a lifetime award, she made it very clear that she has so much more to offer and that she isn’t going anywhere. Katy Perry has been “that girl” for 16 years straight and counting. “Baby, you’re a firework!”
