Shakira’s performance was the high point of the 2023 MTV VMAs
thefader.comWhy did the 2023 MTV VMAs feel like such a slog? It was the scheduling of the night, a fire hose of content turned full blast and directed at viewers’ eyeballs.
It was the inescapable advertising plastered everywhere, even on the performances (OK, I understand that this song is brought to me by Doritos, thank you).
It was the relentless and strained effort to convince the audience that the show still matters, even though it was impossible to shake the feeling that the biggest stars were there either because they were contractually obliged, or because they already knew they were winning.
It’s a shame, because the VMAs have been the host of some truly compelling performances. Madonna caused a firestorm with her performance of “Like A Prayer“ in 1984 and again in 2003, the year of the kiss.
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