Katy Perry confirmed that she’s still able to push scandalize her viewers and fans after her raunchy performance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday.
The 39-year-old hitmaker was award the honorary Video Vanguard award, so she performed a high-flying medley of some of her biggest hits, including California Gurls, Teenage Dream and Fireworks.
But she also debuted her new Doechii collaborative single I’m His, He’s Mine, which will be released on Friday, and the song’s sexual dance left some viewers outraged.
Fans posted numerous angry comments on a clip of the performance posted to MTV’s Instagram account that included Katy and the rapper simulating a lesbian sex act.
The clip even included some unexpected camera angles that honed in on both women’s nether regions, adding to the discomfort from some particularly sensitive viewers.
Katy Perry confirmed that she’s still able to push scandalize her viewers and fans after her raunchy performance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday when she simulated a lesbian sex act
The 39-year-old hitmaker was award the honorary Video Vanguard award, so she performed a high-flying medley of some of her biggest hits, including California Gurls, Teenage Dream and Fireworks
The offending segment occurred after Katy had performed her 2010 chart topper E.T.
The dark stage design gave way to a white platform surrounded by dancers in robot-like costumes with torsos or appendages jutting out from the stage.
Doechii was already reclining on the platform as the opening notes of I’m His, He’s Mine began playing while Katy made her way toward her collaborator.
The two were bathed in a mix of pink, purple and blue light — commonly dubbed ‘bisexual lighting’ — as Katy sang ‘I’m his queen, I’m his freak / I’m ever woman he wants and needs.’
She took her place on the small platform as Doechii got on all fours and turned away from her so that both women’s derrières were nearly touching.
But then the video switched to a shocking angle, shooting up through the glass floor up at Katy and Doechii, which put the spotlight on their (fully clothed) privates.
The singers flipped over so that they were both sitting on the platform with their legs spread open, and then they inched forward with overlapping legs as if to simulate scissoring.
Katy and Doechii laid back, as if in a moment of ecstasy after the mock lesbian sex act, and they patted their crotches as both sang the phrase ‘he’s mine.’
MTV VMAs 2024 WINNERS: AT A GLANCE
Video Of The Year: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Artist Of The Year: Taylor Swift
Best Pop: Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Best Direction: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Best Editing: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Song Of Summer: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Taylor Swift earned seven MTV VMAs to become most decorated solo artist ever
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award: Katy Perry
Song Of The Year: Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
Best Latin: Anitta – Mil Veces
Best Afrobeats: Tyla – Water
Best K-Pop: Lisa – Rockstar
Video For Good: Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For
VMAs Most Iconic Performance: Katy Perry – Roar
But she also debuted her new Doechii collaborative single I’m His, He’s Mine, which will be released on Friday, and the song’s sexual dance left some viewers outraged
The two were bathed in ‘bisexual lighting’ as Katy took her place on the small platform with Doechii. They got on all fours and turned away from her so that both women’s derrières were nearly touching
But then the video switched to a shocking angle, shooting up through the glass floor up at Katy and Doechii, which put the spotlight on their (fully clothed) privates
The singers flipped over so that they were both sitting on the platform with their legs spread open, and then they inched forward with overlapping legs as if to simulate scissoring
After Doechii’s verse, Katy slid up behind her, and the rapper arched her back and tossed her head back and put her lips up to Katy’s face, though they did not kiss
After Doechii’s verse, Katy slid up behind her, and the rapper arched her back and tossed her head back and put her lips up to Katy’s face.
Although it likely looked like a real kiss to audience members, eagle-eyed viewers at home should have been able to see that the two never actually kissed.
That didn’t stop the broadcast from cutting to Katy’s fiancé Orlando Bloom in the audience to catch his sheepish grin at the near-kiss.
Katy has been criticized in the past by her most parasocial fans for allegedly ‘queerbaiting’ with songs like I Kissed A Girl — though she has spoken about exploring her sexuality in the past — but most of the angry commenters responding to her raunchy number didn’t appear to be concerned that she was misleading members of the LGBTQ community.
Instead, they were upset about the faux-lesbian sex and the women’s revealing clothing — though both remained fully clothed at all times, despite several users complaining about ‘nudity.’
‘I hate what this world has turned into,’ wrote one offended viewer.
‘Desperate. Career is over,’ one person opined.
‘This is honestly so disappointing,’ added another particularly sensitive viewer, while a confused fan wrote, ‘What the literal fk I just watch.’
Some commenters even complained about the risqué display occurring on September 11, despite it being more than two decades after the attacks.
Some upset viewers worried about the possibility of children seeing the performance, and others bemoaned the performance as an apparent symbol of a music industry in trouble.
The commenters urging moderation were few and far in between, though some suggested that the offended viewers were overreacting.
‘RELAX KIDS! THE ADULTS ARE HAVING FUN!’ wrote one Instagram user.
Katy has been blasted by LGBTQ fans in the past for alleged ‘queerbaiting,’ but most of the outraged commenters appeared to be scandalized by the simulated scissoring
The rest of Katy’s performance was far more chaste, though she did get some cheers from the audience at the end, when she wrapped her arms around Orlando for a passionate kiss.
The I Kissed A Girl singer definitely wasn’t afraid of oversharing when she mentioned menstruation during her acceptance speech.
‘Thank you! I did that all on my first day of my period, can you believe it?’ Katy shouted at the start of the speech, which elicited laughter and cheers from the audience.
This year’s show was hosted by rapper Megan Thee Stallion at the UBS Arena on Long Island.
In addition to hosting, Megan, 29, was nominated for five awards, including best collaboration and best hip-hop. She previously won best power anthem for Hot Girl Summer.
The evening will be a who’s who of music superstars, with Sabrina Carpenter, Katy Perry, Camila Cabello, GloRilla, Rauw Alejandro, Benson Boone, Halsey, LISA, Lenny Kravitz, Anitta, Karol G, LL Cool J and Shawn Mendes all set to perform.
The MTV VMAs are airing live beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
This year’s recipient of the legendary Video Vanguard Award will be Katy Perry.
‘Katy is a musical powerhouse and true pop culture icon,’ said Bruce Gillmer, chief content officer of music at Paramount+ and president of music, music talent, programming and events at Paramount, in a statement.
‘With her game changing creative vision, she has become a global phenomenon and taken over the world’s biggest stages,’ he added.
Some commenters even complained about the risqué display occurring on September 11, despite it being more than two decades after the attacks
![One person brought how people 'freak about Madonna kissing Brittany and Christina [sic]' at the 2003 MTV VMAs, as if to suggest that Katy's performance was more offensive](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/12/05/89575655-13841135-image-a-21_1726115680135.jpg "Katy Perry's Controversial Performance at 2024 MTV VMAs Sparks Outrage Among Fans 27")
One person brought how people ‘freak about Madonna kissing Brittany and Christina [sic]’ at the 2003 MTV VMAs, as if to suggest that Katy’s performance was more offensive
The commenters urging moderation were few and far in between, though some suggested that the offended viewers were overreacting
Past winners of the Video Vanguard Award include David Bowie, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Pink.
The award comes as Perry prepares to release her upcoming seventh studio album, 143.
Her comeback single from the album, Woman’s World, previously flopped on the charts following its release over the summer.
As for accolades, Taylor Swift is the most-nominated artist at the event with an impressive 10 nods.
The hitmaker, 34, has the chance to make history, as she could become the first artist to win Video of the Year five times. She already holds the record for most Video of the Year victories with four trophies under her name.
Her collaboration with Post Malone, the track Fortnight, is up for Video of the Year.
Post Malone trails Taylor by just one nomination with nine total, though most of his nominations are for their collaboration.
The only nomination he received without Taylor’s assistance was for Best Collaboration for I Had Some Help, his song with Morgan Wallen.
She shared a passionate kiss with fiancé Orland Bloom after concluding her performance, before giving her acceptance speech
The I Kissed A Girl singer definitely wasn’t afraid of oversharing when she mentioned menstruation during her acceptance speech. ‘Thank you! I did that all on my first day of my period, can you believe it?’ she shouted
Also up for six nominations are Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter and Eminem.
Like Megan Thee Stallion, SZA is nominated for five awards.
Meanwhile, Olivia Rodrigo, Teddy Swims and Blackpink member Lisa all tied with four nods each.
Benson Boone, Anitta, Dua Lipa, Tyla, Bleachers and GloRilla each earned three nominations.
MTV Video Music Awards 2024 WINNERS
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records
Billie Eilish – “Lunch” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – WINNER
Taylor Swift earned seven MTV VMAs to become most decorated solo artist ever
The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
Katy Perry – WINNER
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment
Eminem – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
SZA – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records – WINNER
SONG OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Jack Harlow – “Lovin On Me” – Generation Now / Atlantic Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Island – WINNER
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records
Taylor was bested by Sabrina Carpenter in the Song Of The Year category
BEST NEW ARTIST
Benson Boone – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
Chappell Roan – Island – WINNER
Gracie Abrams – Interscope Records
Shaboozey – American Dogwood / EMPIRE
Teddy Swims – Warner Records
Tyla – Epic Records
MTV PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
August 2023: Kaliii – “Area Codes” – Atlantic Records
September 2023: GloRilla – “Lick or Sum” – CMG / Interscope Records
October 2023: Benson Boone – “In the Stars” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
November 2023: Coco Jones – “ICU” – Def Jam
December 2023: Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” – Lovett Music / RCA Records
January 2024: Jessie Murph – “Wild Ones” – Columbia Records
February 2024: Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” – Warner Records
March 2024: Chappell Roan – “Red Wine Supernova” – Island
April 2024: Flyana Boss – “Yeaaa” – Vnclm_/ Atlantic Records
May 2024: Laufey – “Goddess” – Laufey / AWAL
June 2024: Le Sserafim – “Easy” – Source Music / Geffen Records – WINNER
July 2024: The Warning – “Automatic Sun” – Lava / Republic Records
BEST COLLABORATION
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “ – OVO / Republic Records
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be” – CMG / Interscope Records
Jessie Murph ft. Jelly Roll – “Wild Ones” – Columbia Records
Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help” – Mercury / Republic / Big Loud
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – WINNER
BEST POP
Camila Cabello – Geffen / Interscope Records
Dua Lipa – Warner Records
Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
Tate McRae – RCA Records
Taylor Swift – Republic Records – WINNER
BEST HIP-HOP
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “ – OVO / Republic Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – WINNER
GloRilla – “Yeah Glo!” – CMG / Interscope Records
Gunna – “Fukumean” – Young Stoner Life Records / 300 Entertainment
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions
Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti – “FE!N” – Cactus Jack / Epic Records
BEST R&B
Alicia Keys – “Lifeline” – AK Records / Gamma
Muni Long – “Made For Me” – Def Jam
SZA – “Snooze” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records – WINNER
Tyla – “Water” – Fax Records / Epic Records
Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good” – Mega / Gamma
Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” – Lovett Music / RCA Records
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records – WINNER
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit
Hozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia Records
Imagine Dragons – “Eyes Closed” – KIDinaKorner / Interscope Records
Linkin Park – “Friendly Fire” – This Compilation / Warner Records
Teddy Swims – “Lose Control (Live)” – Warner Records
BEST ROCK
Bon Jovi – “Legendary” – Island
Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic Records
Green Day – “Dilemma” – Reprise Records / Warner Records
Kings of Leon – “Mustang” – Capitol Records
Lenny Kravitz – “Human” – Roxie Records Inc. / BMG Rights Management – WINNER
U2 – “Atomic City” – Interscope Records
BEST LATIN
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Floresta Records / Republic Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment – WINNER
Bad Bunny – “Monaco” – Rimas Entertainment
Karol G – “Mi Ex Tenia Razon” – Bichota / Interscope Records
Myke Towers – “Lala” – Warner Music Latina
Peso Pluma & Anitta – “Bellakeo” – Double P Records
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment
Shakira & Cardi B – “Puntería” – Sony Music US Latin
BEST AFROBEATS
Ayra Starr ft. Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song” – Mavin / Republic
Burna Boy – “City Boys” – Spaceship / Bad Habit / Atlantic Records
Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational” – Chris Brown Entertainment / RCA Records
Tems – “Love Me JeJe” – Since ’93 / RCA Records
Tyla – “Water” – Fax Records / Epic Records – WINNER
Usher, Pheelz – “Ruin” – mega / gamma.
BEST K-POP
Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records – WINNER
NCT Dream – “Smoothie” – SM Entertainment / Virgin Music Group
NewJeans – “Super Shy” – ADOR / Geffen Records
Stray Kids – “Lalalala” – JYP Entertainment / Imperial / Republic Records
Tomorrow X Together – “Deja vu” – Bighit Music / Imperial / Republic Records
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Alexander Stewart – “If Only You Knew” – FAE Grp
Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For (From the Motion Picture “Barbie”)” – Darkroom / Interscope Records – WINNER
Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove” – Atlantic Records
Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – “Best for Me” – Twenty Nine Music Group
RAYE – “Genesis” – Human Re Sources
Tyler Childers – “In Your Love” – Hickman Holler Records / RCA Records
BEST DIRECTION
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Directed by Christian Breslauer
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit – Directed by Alex Lockett & Margaret Qualley
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Directed by Rich Lee
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Directed by Daniel Iglesias Jr.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island – Directed by Bardia Zeinali
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Directed by Taylor Swift – WINNER
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Anatol Trofimov – WINNER
Charli XCX – “Von Dutch” – Atlantic Records – Cinematography by Jeff Bierman
Dua Lipa – “Illusion” – Warner Records – Cinematography by Nikita Kuzmenko
Olivia Rodrigo – “Obsessed” – Geffen Records – Cinematography by Marz Miller
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment – Cinematography by Camilo Monsalve
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto
BEST EDITING
Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Floresta Records / Republic Records / Universal Music Latin Entertainment – Editing by Nick Yumul
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records – Editing by Luis Caraza Peimbert
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Editing by David Checel
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records – Editing by Nik Kohler
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Island – Editing by Jai Shukla
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Editing by Chancler Haynes – WINNER
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Dirty Hit – Choreography by Margaret Qualley
Dua Lipa – “Houdini” – Warner Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna – WINNER
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloud Co. / RCA Records – Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Sony Music Latin / Duars Entertainment – Choreography by Felix ‘Fefe’ Burgos
Tate McRae – “Greedy” – RCA Records – Choreography by Sean Bankhead
Troye Sivan – “Rush” – Capitol Records – Choreography by Sergio Reis, Mauro Van De Kerkhof
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande – “The Boy is Mine” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Digital Axis
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Synapse Virtual – WINNER
Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post
Justin Timberlake – “Selfish” – RCA Records – “Selfish” – RCA Records – Visual Effects by Candice Dragonas
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Visual Effects by Mathematic
Olivia Rodrigo – “Get Him Back!” – Geffen Records – Visual Effects by Cooper Vacheron, Preston
Mohr, Karen Arakelian, Justin Johnson
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Parliament
BEST ART DIRECTION
Charli XCX – “360” – Atlantic Records – Art Direction by Grace Surnow
Lisa – “Rockstar” – Lloyd Co. / RCA Records – Art Direction by Pongsan Thawatwichian
Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Hot Girl Productions – Art Direction by Brittany Porter – WINNER
Olivia Rodrigo – “Bad Idea Right?” – Geffen Records – Art Direction by Nicholas des Jardins
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island – Art Direction by Nicholas des Jardins
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – Art Direction by Ethan Tobman
BEST TRENDING VIDEO
Beyoncé – “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Camila Cabello ft. Playboi Carti – “I LUV IT” – Geffen / Interscope Records
Chappell Roan – “HOT TO GO!” – Amusement Records / Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Charli xcx – “Apple” – Atlantic Records
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Yuki Chiba – “Mamushi” – Hot Girl Productions – WINNER
Tinashe – “Nasty” – Nice Life Recording Company
BEST GROUP
NSYNC – RCA Records
Coldplay – Atlantic Records
Imagine Dragons – KIDinaKorner / Interscope Records
NCT Dream – SM Entertainment / Virgin Music Group
NewJeans – ADOR / Geffen Records
SEVENTEEN – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records – WINNER
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – BIGHIT MUSIC / IMPERIAL / Republic Records
Twenty One Pilots – Fueled By Ramen
SONG OF THE SUMMER
Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Republic Records
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!” – Amusement Records / Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – “Like That” – Wilburn Holding Co. / Boominati / Epic / Republic
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be” – CMG / Interscope Records
Hozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records
Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help” – Mercury / Republic / Big Loud
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island
Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – American Dogwood / EMPIRE
SZA – “Saturn” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records – WINNER
Tommy Richman – “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” – ISO Supremacy / PULSE Records / Concord
VMAS MOST ICONIC PERFORMANCE
Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Missy Elliot – “Like a Virgin” & “Hollywood”
Eminem – “Real Slim Shady” & “The Way I Am”
Katy Perry – “Roar” – WINNER
Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi”
Madonna – “Like a Virgin”
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
