MTV EMA

MTV pulled the plug on the 2023 MTV EMA Awards on Oct. 19, just over two weeks before the show was set to be staged in Paris. The network attributed their decision to the “volatility of world events.” But on Sunday (Nov. 5), which would have been the EMAs date, MTV released the winners list, saying, “as fans worldwide voted for their favorite categories including best artist, best song and more, MTV is recognizing the following artists with 2023 MTV EMAs.”
Taylor Swift was the big winner, with three awards – best artist, best live and best video for “Anti-Hero.” Surprisingly, the award for best US act eluded her. That went to Nicki Minaj, who also won best hip-hop.

Jung Kook and Måneskin were also double winners. Jung Kook won best K-pop and best song for “Seven” (featuring Latto). Måneskin won best rock and best Italian act.

Rema was the winner in the newly-added best Afrobeats category.

David Guetta, who was born in Paris, the intended site of this year’s show, won best electronic.

This year’s event was to have been broadcast live to more than 150 countries from the Paris Nord. It would have marked the first time the ceremony has been held in the City of Light since 1995.

This marked the first time the MTV EMA Awards have been canceled since it was launched in 1994. Even during the pandemic, the show went on as scheduled.

MTV released the following statement on Oct. 19: “Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life. The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music. As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning. Voting is continuing and the winning artists will receive their MTV EMA Awards. We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November of 2024.”

Here’s the complete list of 2023 MTV EMA nominees, with winners marked. The winners for biggest fans and best group had not been identified at the time of publication.

Best Song

Doja Cat – “Paint the Town Red”

WINNER: Jung Kook feat. Latto – “Seven”

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”

SZA – “Kill Bill”

Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”

Best Video

Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion – “Bongos”

Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”

Little Simz – “Gorilla”

Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”

Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”

SZA – “Kill Bill”

WINNER: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

Best Artist

Doja Cat

Miley Cyrus

Nicki Minaj

Olivia Rodrigo

SZA

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Best Collaboration

Central Cee x Dave – “Sprinter”

David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray – “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”

WINNER: KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG”

Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage – “Creepin’”

PinkPantheress, Ice Spice – “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2”

Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”

Best New

Coi Leray

FLO

Ice Spice

WINNER: Peso Pluma

PinkPantheress

Reneé Rapp

Best Pop

WINNER: Billie Eilish

Dua Lipa

Ed Sheeran

Miley Cyrus

Olivia Rodrigo

Taylor Swift

Best Afrobeats

Asake

Aya Nakamura

Ayra Starr

Burna Boy

Davido

WINNER: Rema

Best Rock

Arctic Monkeys

Foo Fighters

WINNER: Måneskin

Metallica

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Killers

Best Latin

WINNER: Anitta

Bad Bunny

KAROL G

Peso Pluma

ROSALÍA

Shakira

Best K-pop

FIFTY FIFTY

WINNER: Jung Kook

NewJeans

SEVENTEEN

Stray Kids

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Best Alternative

Blur

Fall Out Boy

WINNER: Lana Del Rey

Paramore

Thirty Seconds to Mars

YUNGBLUD

Best Electronic

Alesso

Calvin Harris

WINNER: David Guetta

Swedish House Mafia

Peggy Gou

Tiësto

Best Hip-Hop

Cardi B

Central Cee

Lil Wayne

Lil Uzi Vert

Metro Boomin

WINNER: Nicki Minaj

Travis Scott

Best R&B

Chlöe

WINNER: Chris Brown

Steve Lacy

Summer Walker

SZA

Usher

Best Live

Beyoncé

Burna Boy

Ed Sheeran

Måneskin

SZA

WINNER: Taylor Swift

The Weeknd

Best Push

November 2022: Flo Milli

December 2022: Reneé Rapp

January 2023: Sam Ryder

February 2023: Armani White

March 2023: FLETCHER

WINNER: April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER

May 2023: Ice Spice

June 2023: FLO

July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith

August 2023: Kaliii

September 2023: GloRilla

October 2023: Benson Boone

Biggest Fans

Anitta

Billie Eilish

BLACKPINK

Jung Kook

Nicki Minaj

Olivia Rodrigo

Sabrina Carpenter

Selena Gomez

Taylor Swift

Best Group

aespa

FLO

Jonas Brothers

Måneskin

NewJeans

OneRepublic

SEVENTEEN

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

2023 MTV EMA Best Local Act Nominees:

Best African Act

Asake

Burna Boy

Libianca

Tyler ICU

WINNER: Diamond Platnumz

Best Asia Act

WINNER: BE:FIRST

BRIGHT

Moria

Tiara Andini

TREASURE

Best Australian Act

Budjerah

G Flip

WINNER: Kylie Minogue

The Kid LAROI

Troye Sivan

Best Brasilian Act

Anavitoria

Kevin O Chris

Luisa Sonza

Manu Gavassi

WINNER: Matue

Best Canadian Act

Charlotte Cardin

Drake

Jamie Fine

WINNER: Shania Twain

The Beaches

Best Caribbean Act

Eladio Carrion

Mora

Myke Towers

Rauw Alejandro

WINNER: Young Miko

Best Dutch Act

WINNER: FLEMMING

Idaly

Kriss Kross Amsterdam

S10

Zoë Tauran

Best French Act

Aime Simone

Aya Nakamura

WINNER: Bigflo & Oli

Louane

Ninho

Slimane

Best German Act

Apache 207

AYLIVA

WINNER: Kontra K

Luciano

Nina Chuba

Ski Aggu

Best Hungarian Act

WINNER: ajsa luna

Analog Balaton

Beton.Hofi

Co Lee

Hundred Sins

Best India Act

Dee MC

DIVINE

Mali

WINNER: Tsumyoki

When Chai Met Toast

Best Italian Act

Annalisa

Elodie

Lazza

WINNER: Måneskin

The Kolors

Best Israeli Act

Anna Zak

Liad Meir

Noa Kirel

Nunu

Shira Margalit

Best Latin America North Act

Danna Paola

WINNER: Kenia Os

Kevin Kaarl

Siddhartha

Natanael Cano

Best Latin America Central Act

Blessd

WINNER: Feid

Manuel Turizo

Ryan Castro

Sebastian Yatra

Best Latin America South Act

Bizarrap

Duki

Fito Paez

WINNER: Lali

Nicki Nicole

Best New Zealand Act

BENEE

JessB

Jolyon Petch

L.A.B.

WINNER: SIX60

Best Nordic Act

Alessandra

WINNER: Käärijä

Loreen

Swedish House Mafia

Zara Larsson

Best Polish Act

WINNER: Doda

Kasia Nosowska

Mrozu

Sanah

Vito Bambino

Best Portuguese Act

Bárbara Bandeira

WINNER: Bispo

Carolina Deslandes

Marisa Liz

PIRUKA

Best Spanish Act

Abraham Mateo

Álvaro de Luna

Lola Índigo

Quevedo

WINNER: Samantha Hudson

Best Swiss Act

Danitsa

WINNER: Gjon’s Tears

KT Gorique

Monet192

Stress

Best UK & Ireland Act

Calvin Harris

Central Cee

PinkPantheress

Raye

Sam Smith

WINNER: Tom Grennan

Best US Act

Doja Cat

WINNER: Nicki Minaj

Olivia Rodrigo

SZA

Taylor Swift