When it came time for Olivia Rodrigo to storm the stage at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday (Sept. 12), the pop star made sure to give fans a performance to remember.
Taking to the stage in a red halter top and skirt, Rodrigo kicked off her performance on a soft note, imitating the music video of her hit song “Vampire.” Laid out on the moss-covered stage, Rodrigo served pure melodrama as she crooned out the opening of her chart-topping hit.
But then, things began to break down — literally. Much like in her music video, Rodrigo watched in horror as the light rigging on the stage began to drop, as sparks began to shoot up from the stage around her, while even the camera appeared to drop to the ground. Being pulled off stage by what looked like a crew member, a glitching version of “Good 4 U” played behind her as the stage suddenly reset.
Once the chaos reached its peak, Rodrigo suddenly appeared back on the stage, surrounded by a series of backup dancers dressed in identical pink outfits to perform her Guts standout “Get Him Back!” Strutting up and down the stage, she belted out the catchy chorus to her latest single. “Oh, I want sweet revenge, and I want him again,” she sang. “I want to get him back, back, back.”
Rodrigo was nominated for six awards at the annual ceremony, including the evening’s much-anticipated video of the year award for “Vampire.” She was just one of a series of performers during the ceremony, including fellow stars Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Demi Lovato and plenty more.
