The four-time VMA winner is being honored with the video vanguard award at this year’s ceremony
Shakira knows how to work a red carpet whenever, wherever.
The Colombian superstar, 46, arrived on the MTV Video Music Awards in a show-stopping, chainmail Versace gown that showed a sexy hint of skin from every angle. She kept her accessorizing simple teaming the show-stopping look with matching metallic platforms and kept her signature, center-parted, waist-grazing mermaid waves.
Shakira made sure to show off the gown from all sides, striking an over-the-shoulder pose that showed off the backless design.
The musician brought her two sons with ex Gerard Piqué — Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7 – as her plus ones for the special night.
Her boys were also decked in head-to-toe Versace wearing matching tracksuits featuring the Italian label’s signature gold print.
This year’s VMAs are especially meaningful for the stylish performer, who will be honored with the coveted video vanguard award, which recognizes an artist’s lifetime achievement, at the ceremony.
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“Shakira is a true global force who continues to inspire & influence the masses with her unique, musical prowess,” said Bruce Gilmer, Paramount’s president of music, music talent, programming and events and Paramount+’s chief content officer for music, said of the honoree in a press statement.
“She’s a trailblazer for women around the world & one of the first artists to lead the globalization of Latin music,” Gilmer continued. “Her massive impact across the musical landscape will be long lasting as she continues to create and entertain at the highest level.”
Past recipients of the iconic award include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, David Bowie, The Beatles, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson and Pink.
The “She Wolf” singer, who already has four Moon Person trophies to her name, will also take the stage later in the evening for her first VMAs performance since her iconic rendition of “Hips Don’t Lie” with Wyclef Jean in 2006.
The video vanguard VMA recipient is also up for awards in four other categories: artist of the year, best collaboration for her Karol G collaboration “TQG,” and best latin for both “TQG” and “Acróstico.”
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The VMAs are practically home for the singer who, since her early ’90s debut, has experienced massive success — and built worldwide fame — with her music videos.
Six of her iconic videos — “Hips Don’t Lie” with Wyclef Jean, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” “Chantaje” with Maluma, “La Bicicleta” with Carlos Vives, “La La La (Brazil 2014)” with Carlinhos Brown and “Pero Fiel” with Nicky Jam — have surpassed a billion views on YouTube.
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This year, the four-time VMA winner achieved her first top-10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 in over 15 years (since her and Beyoncé’s 2007 collaboration “Beautiful Liar”) with “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” and “TQG.”
Shakira won her first VMA in 2000 for international viewer’s choice (Latin America North) for “Ojos Así” and her most recent for “Beautiful Liar,” which won for most earthshattering collaboration.
She took home another international viewer’s choice award in 2002 for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte,” and a VMA for best choreography in a video for “Hips Don’t Lie” in 2006.
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The 2023 MTV VMAs are airing live from The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.