Katy Perry delivered an iconic medley of her biggest hits in celebration of being the Video Vanguard Award Recipient at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Wednesday, September 11.
Orlando Bloom Introduced Katy Perry’s Performance
Perry’s fiancé Orlando Bloom introduced the worldwide sensation to the stage with a heartfelt speech. “You fell in love with her as Katy Perry, I fell in love with her as Katherine Hudson,” Bloom said, introducing her fiancé to the stage. “You know her as a global superstar who brings love light and her unique sense of humor to every song she writes and every music video she creates. I know her as a mother, as a partner, who brings that same love and joy to our family.”
“Congratulations on this honor, baby, I’m so proud of you,” Bloom said as Perry launched into her unforgettable performance.
The pop superstar then took fans on a trip down memory lane with a career-spanning mashup that included songs such as “Dark Horse,” “E.T.,” “Bon Appétit,” “California,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed A Girl,” “Firework,” and more. She also debuted “I’m His, He’s Mine,” featuring guest rapper Doechii.
She also showcased her forthcoming new album, 143, with a performance of “LIFETIMES,” a track that is set to appear on the project.
Standing Ovation Before Accepting Video Vanguard Award
Following her performance, which earned a standing ovation, she shared a kiss with Bloom before he presented her with the coveted award.
“Thank you, I did that all on my first day of my period too, can you believe it?” Perry began. “Thank you so much to MTV for believing in my weirdness from day one, and for helping artists extend their worlds beyond a song. There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decade-long accidents.”
Perry then graciously thank her team, record label (Capital Records) and her parents, who she admitted, “we don’t always agree, but what a lesson that those disagreements can still be full of love.” She went on to shout out those who helped her get her start and stuck by her side since the early days of her career, including “MySpace, Warped Tour and all the bygone places where I found a voice, identity and a community so early on,” as well as her good friends that “were there when my Jetta was repossessed. My KatyKats who stood by me for a lifetime.” Perry also shouted out the LGBTQ+ community, “who I recognize I would not be here without, and who show me that you can be both kind and c**t.”
She closed out her acceptance speech with a special heartfelt thank you to Bloom and their daughter Daisy before honoring the current state of the music industry.
“I’m excited when I look around music today and I see all the amazing young artists who are operating with confidence, agency, vulnerability and authenticity,” Perry continued, “I’ve heard a lot of do this, don’t do that, wear less, wear more now, don’t cut your hair… one of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is I learned how to block out all the noise, that every single artist in this industry has to constantly fight against, especially women. I just want to say with my whole heart, do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art, turn off social media, safeguard your mental health, pause, touch grass, and do what you were born to do, just like I was born to do this.”
Katy Perry follows previously Video Vanguard recipients such as Shakira, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, David Bowie and The Beatles.
