Shakira Becomes First South American Honored With Video Vanguard Award at 2023 MTV VMAs: What Exactly Is This Award?

MTV will honor Shakira with their Video Vanguard Award at the 2023 Video Music Awards on September 12.

For the first time since 2006, the "Hips Don't Lie" diva will attend the ceremony to receive the award and perform, as confirmed by People magazine.

With over 30 VMA nominations, the Columbian-born megastar has been awarded four times - most recently for International Viewer's Choice - Latin America (North) in 2000 with her song "Ojos Así."

Shakira has undoubtedly made her mark on the music industry. In 2002, she was honored with the MTV Video Music Award for "Whenever, Wherever/Suerte," and over the years, she also took home the trophy for Best Choreography in a Video in 2006 with "Hips Don't Lie" as well as Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration with Beyoncé for 2007's "Beautiful Liar."

She is also the first-ever South American artist to be honored with the prestigious award.

This year, Shakira stands to be honored at the Video Music Awards with no less than four nominations: Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Latin for "TQG" with Karol G, and Best Latin for "Acróstico.

At last year's event, Nicki Minaj was bestowed with Michael Jackson's prestigious Video Vanguard Award.

Previous winners have included some of music and pop culture's biggest names, such as Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, David Bowie, Madonna, and Rihanna.

But what exactly is the MTV's Video Vanguard Award? And why is it named after Michael Jackson?

MTV Video Vanguard Award

At each MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) event, a highly coveted honor is presented namely, being awarded Michael Jackson's Video Vanguard Award.

Also referred to as either the Lifetime Achievement Award or simply the Video Vanguard Award, this accolade is bestowed upon deserving recording artists and music video directors for their remarkable achievements.

In stark contrast to the silver trophies of other VMA categories, the special award of this ceremony is a gold-plated "Moonman."

This item was once formally known by another name until 1991, when it was changed to honor Michael Jackson upon receiving the 1988 trophy.

At the 2003 VMAs, Duran Duran was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2006, a Video Vanguard Award was presented to director Hype Williams.

Tragically, following Michael Jackson's passing in 2011, MTV decided to restore his name to the award as an homage to his groundbreaking work as a video artist.

The recent airing of "Leaving Neverland," a documentary about Michael Jackson's alleged involvement in child sexual abuse, has again stirred up controversy regarding the singer.

At the 2019 VMAs, Missy Elliott paid homage to Michael during her acceptance speech, and MTV displayed documents keeping his name but did not explicitly mention him on live TV.

The Video Vanguard Award has been presented to 34 artists throughout its history, most of whom have had their roots planted in the United States or the British Commonwealth. However, Zbigniew Rybczyński (1986) from Poland and U2 (2001) from Ireland have also received this award.

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Shakira, MTV VMAs