Sabrina Carpenter cemented her status as a pop icon with a powerhouse medley of hits from her smash album Short n’ Sweet on the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. After being introduced by music legend Cyndi Lauper, Carpenter opened her set suspended from New York’s UBS arena, singing a portion of her No. 1 hit “Please, Please, Please.”
Set against the backdrop of a giant MTV “Moonman,” the singer-songwriter heightened the astral themes of the award ceremony by taking the audience to space. During her performance of current single “Taste,” she took the stage with an astronaut and a scantily clad alien. For “Espresso,” the “Feather” singer was joined by a crew of dancing astronauts.
In a ceremony that continuously calls back to early 2000s culture — an era during which the VMAs were appointment viewing — Carpenter looked right at home, embracing the camp and fun that defined so many of the early aughts hits.
Carpenter, who walked the VMAs red carpet in a white, sparkling Bob Mackie dress previously worn by Madonna for the 1991 Oscars, released the critically acclaimed Short n’ Sweet in August. She is nominated for Artist of the Year at the ceremony.
Early 2024 VMA winners include Taylor Swift and Post Malone, who took home the award for Best Collaboration for “Fortnight,” Benson Boone, who won Best Alternative for “Beautiful Things,” Lenny Kravitz who won Best Rock for “Human,” and Tyla, who won Best Afrobeats.
Katy Perry was awarded the Video Vanguard Award, an honor previously bestowed upon Madonna, David Bowie, Britney Spears, Beyoncé and more.
