Another edition of the MTV Video Music Awards is now behind us, but the September 12, 2023, show was definitely one to remember. Not only did it feature a reunion of one of the most beloved boybands of our time (NSYNC, of course), but there were also a few moments backstage that fans aren't going to forget any time soon. Both new artists and iconic musicians took the stage on Tuesday night to present and to perform, and there was so much ground to cover that the show easily went over its three-hour preplanned runtime. Phew!
Read on for the biggest and most shocking moments of the 2023 MTV VMAs.
More from CafeMom: 18 Throwback VMA Looks That Celebs Wouldn't Be Caught Dead In Today
NSYNC Reunites Onstage
There's been a lot of buzz about NSYNC getting back together for a reunion tour, and the fact that they all appeared onstage together at the VMAs (yes, even Justin Timberlake) has done absolutely nothing to quell the rumors that something is in the works. The show started out strong when Justin, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, and Chris Kirkpatrick came together to present Taylor Swift with the award for Best Pop album — and like the millennial she is, she totally freaked out about it as much as the fans at home did.
Megan Thee Stallion & Justin Timberlake's Supposed Altercation
Speaking of Justin Timberlake … when backstage footage surfaced online showing Megan Thee Stallion wagging her finger and speaking animatedly at Justin, fans were convinced that they had beef. Fortunately, that's not the case! Later, Megan and Justin appeared in a TikTok video together, and a source told Variety that their backstage interaction was a lot friendlier than it appeared on camera.
"He said, 'It’s so nice to meet you,' and she said 'No, no this don’t count, this don’t count. We gotta meet proper,'" the insider said. "It was very cute."
Shakira's Performance
In a performance that went on for longer than 10 minutes, Shakira performed some of her biggest hits, including "Wherever, Whenever," "She Wolf," and "Objection (Tango)." After her performance, she accepted this year's Video Vanguard award for her contributions to music during her successful career.
More from CafeMom: The Best VMA Performances of the Past 10 Years
Taylor Swift's Chaotic Evening
One of the crowd cams was focused on Taylor Swift over the course of the evening, and boy, did it deliver serious entertainment. Not only did she enjoy a few alcoholic beverages, but she also gave her all when it came to supporting other artists during their wins and performances. It looks like she had an absolute blast — is there anyone more fun to sit next to during awards shows like this?
Selena Gomez's Reaction
Considering his past abusive relationship with Rihanna, some are surprised that Chris Brown is still making music at all — and that seems to include Selena Gomez. She didn't hold back how she really felt about him being nominated for an award at the VMAs; we can see it on her face.
