NEW YORK — The MTV Video Music Awards are headed back to New Jersey.
Newark’s Prudential Center will host the awards show for a second consecutive year, with the 2023 ceremony scheduled to take place Sept. 12, organizers announced Tuesday.
“Celebrating one of our biggest nights in music with the Garden State’s incredible fans has been our goal since last year’s highly successful event,” Paramount music exec Bruce Gillmer said in a statement.
September’s show marks the 40th edition of the VMAs, which celebrate the top music videos and artists of the year. It will be the sixth consecutive year the VMAs take place in the New York City area, with Radio City Music Hall, the Barclays Center and Times Square’s One Astor Plaza also playing host since 2018.
Prudential Center hosted the 2019 show as well, marking the first time the VMAs took place in New Jersey.
“The return of the VMAs to the Prudential Center testifies to New Jersey’s enduring standing as a premier venue for large-scale entertainment events,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said. “By hosting this highly anticipated spectacle, our state and local economies will also benefit from the thousands of visitors who will shop, dine, and stay in our local communities.”
Last year’s VMAs saw Taylor Swift win the night’s top honor, video of the year, for “All Too Well: The Short Film,” which she wrote, directed, produced and starred in. It was Swift’s third time winning the award, setting a new record.
LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow hosted the 2022 ceremony, with the latter two also performing. The show also featured a live performance by Bad Bunny from his concert at Yankee Stadium.
Bad Bunny won 2022 artist of the year, while Billie Eilish received song of the year for “Happier Than Ever.” Lizzo, BLACKPINK, Eminem and Snoop Dogg were also among last year’s performers.
This year’s host, performers and nominees have not been announced. The awards show is expected to reach more than 319 million households in more than 150 countries, organizers said.
