Overview
- MTV named Sabrina Carpenter, J Balvin with DJ Snake, Alex Warren, Sombr, Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin in its opening slate of performers.
- Busta Rhymes will receive the new Rock the Bells Visionary Award and Ricky Martin will be honored with the first Latin Icon Award, with both set to perform.
- J Balvin will perform Zun Zun with Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez before premiering Noventa with DJ Snake, marking DJ Snake’s VMA performance debut.
- Alex Warren and Sombr will make their VMA stage debuts; both are up for Best New Artist, with Warren also nominated for Best Pop and Song of the Year and Sombr for Best Alternative.
- Lady Gaga leads nominations with 12, followed by Bruno Mars with 11 and Kendrick Lamar with 10; fan voting runs through Sept. 5 with Best New Artist voting continuing into the live show, and the broadcast will simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+.