Look Back at Katy Perry's VMAs History, Ahead of Her 2024 Vanguard Award

Mar. 15, 2025

Katy Perry poses with the Moon Man at the 2009 VMAs in New York City.Photo:Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Katy Perryis making room for another Moon Person!Since her firstVMAsappearance back in 2008, Perry has taken home five of the coveted statues and on Sept. 11, 2024 — during the award show’s 40th anniversary — she will add another to her collection as she is this year’s recipient ofthe Video Vanguard Award.Before Wednesday’s big event, where Perry will perform ahead of the Sept. 20 release of her upcoming album143, take a look back at all of her VMA appearances throughout the years.

Katy Perryis making room for another Moon Person!

Since her firstVMAsappearance back in 2008, Perry has taken home five of the coveted statues and on Sept. 11, 2024 — during the award show’s 40th anniversary — she will add another to her collection as she is this year’s recipient ofthe Video Vanguard Award.

Before Wednesday’s big event, where Perry will perform ahead of the Sept. 20 release of her upcoming album143, take a look back at all of her VMA appearances throughout the years.

01of 08Katy Perry with Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift in 2008Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus at the 2008 VMAs.Kevin Mazur/WireImagePerry’s very first VMA appearance came in 2008, the same year “I Kissed a Girl” was released. That year, she was nominated in the best new artist category alongside none other thanTaylor SwiftandMiley Cyrusthough the Moon Person ultimately went to Tokio Hotel.

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Katy Perry with Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift in 2008

Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus at the 2008 VMAs.Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Perry’s very first VMA appearance came in 2008, the same year “I Kissed a Girl” was released. That year, she was nominated in the best new artist category alongside none other thanTaylor SwiftandMiley Cyrusthough the Moon Person ultimately went to Tokio Hotel.

02of 08Katy Perry Rocks Silver at Radio City Music Hall in 2009Katy Perry at the 2009 VMAs.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicThe following year, Perry was back at the VMAs which were held at Radio City Musical Hall. That year also marked the first time she hit the VMAs stage as a performer, singing “We Will Rock You" with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry.

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Katy Perry Rocks Silver at Radio City Music Hall in 2009

Katy Perry at the 2009 VMAs.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The following year, Perry was back at the VMAs which were held at Radio City Musical Hall. That year also marked the first time she hit the VMAs stage as a performer, singing “We Will Rock You" with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry.

03of 08Katy Perry Achieving Liftoff in 2010Katy Perry at the 2010 VMAs.Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagicPerry had some fun with the Moon Person on the red carpet ahead of the 2010 festivities in L.A.

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Katy Perry Achieving Liftoff in 2010

Katy Perry at the 2010 VMAs.Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

Perry had some fun with the Moon Person on the red carpet ahead of the 2010 festivities in L.A.

04of 08Katy Perry Celebrating Her Winning Night in 2011Katy Perry at the 2011 VMAs.FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty2011 would mark the first time Perry walked home from the VMAs a winner when she took home three Moon People for best visual effects and best collaboration (“E.T” featuringKanye West) and video of the year (“Firework”).This was also the height of Perry’s on-theme attire, and her statue-holding hands were finished off with a record-motif manicure that matched her outfit.

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Katy Perry Celebrating Her Winning Night in 2011

Katy Perry at the 2011 VMAs.FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty

2011 would mark the first time Perry walked home from the VMAs a winner when she took home three Moon People for best visual effects and best collaboration (“E.T” featuringKanye West) and video of the year (“Firework”).

This was also the height of Perry’s on-theme attire, and her statue-holding hands were finished off with a record-motif manicure that matched her outfit.

05of 08Katy Perry Giving a Celebratory Smooch to Harry Styles in 2012Katy Perry presents an award to One Direction at the 2012 VMAs.Kevin Mazur/WireImageWhen she presented the award for best pop video toOne Directionin 2012, she gave each of them a friendly smooch. She kissedNiall Horan,Harry Styles,Liam Payne,Zayn MalikandLouis Tomlinson— and she liked it!

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Katy Perry Giving a Celebratory Smooch to Harry Styles in 2012

Katy Perry presents an award to One Direction at the 2012 VMAs.Kevin Mazur/WireImage

When she presented the award for best pop video toOne Directionin 2012, she gave each of them a friendly smooch. She kissedNiall Horan,Harry Styles,Liam Payne,Zayn MalikandLouis Tomlinson— and she liked it!

06of 08Katy Perry Being Greeted By Richard Simmons in 2013Katy Perry and Richard Simmons at the 2013 VMAs.Larry Busacca/GettyIn 2013, Perry shared a sweet moment on the red carpet withRichard Simmonsat the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

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Katy Perry Being Greeted By Richard Simmons in 2013

Katy Perry and Richard Simmons at the 2013 VMAs.Larry Busacca/Getty

Larry Busacca/Getty

In 2013, Perry shared a sweet moment on the red carpet withRichard Simmonsat the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

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Katy Perry Posing with Sam Smith in 2014

Perry posed withSam Smithat the 2014 ceremony where she sported an all denim look. Her date, Riff Raff, was also in full denim — an unmistakable homage toBritney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s 2001 American Music Awards ensembles.

Jason Merritt/Getty

08of 08Katy Perry Hosting the VMAs in 2017Katy Perry at the 2017 VMAs.John Shearer/GettyIn 2017 — Perry’s last VMAs appearance until now — the five-time winner (she also took home trophies for “Wide Awake” in 2012 and “Dark Horse” in 2014) floated onto the stage as a Moon Person as she served as both host and one of the night’s performers.

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Katy Perry Hosting the VMAs in 2017

Katy Perry at the 2017 VMAs.John Shearer/Getty

John Shearer/Getty

In 2017 — Perry’s last VMAs appearance until now — the five-time winner (she also took home trophies for “Wide Awake” in 2012 and “Dark Horse” in 2014) floated onto the stage as a Moon Person as she served as both host and one of the night’s performers.

source: people.com