Cyndi Lauper, Who Won at the First VMAs in 1984, to Present at This Year’s Show

Cyndi Lauper, who won best female video at the very first MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 14, 1984, is among the presenters at this year’s show, which is set for Sept. 11.

Lauper took best female video at that first show for her zesty “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and brought comic relief by explaining the VMA eligibility and voting rules in gibberish, which has been described as similar to “ancient Babylonian.”

Lauper was also the leading nominee at that first show with nine nods, but Herbie Hancock was the night’s big winner, with five wins.

Carson Daly, who also has deep MTV roots, is also set to present. Daly hosted MTV’s popular TRL from 1998 to 2003. TRL was based on two previous shows, Total Request and MTV Live, both of which had also been hosted by Daly.

Other presenters set for this year’s show are Addison Rae, Alessandra Ambrosio, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Big Sean, Busta Rhymes, Damiano David (Måneskin), DANNA, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Flavor Flav, French Montana, Halle Bailey, Jordan Chiles, Lil Nas X, Miranda Lambert, Naomi Scott, Paris Hilton, Suki Waterhouse, Thalía and Tinashe.

Teddy Swims and Jessie Murph are set to make their VMA debuts by performing on the Extended Play Stage. Both are MTV Push artists and multiple nominees. Swims has four nods, including best new artist and best alternative. Murph has two, including best collaboration feat. Jelly Roll. Swims will perform “Lose Control,” a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and “The Door.”

Le Sserafim will make their U.S. award show debut by performing on the VMAs pre-show. The K-pop girl group recently landed their first Hot 100 hit (“Easy”) and performed at Coachella. Le Sserafim have had two top 10 albums or EPs on the Billboard 200 (Unforgiven and Easy).

Hosted by Nessa, Dometi Pongo and Kevan Kenney, the 90-minute live VMAs pre-show special airs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, MTV2, CMT and Logo.

Megan Thee Stallion is set to host and perform on the main show. Katy Perry will receive the Video Vanguard Award and perform a hit medley. Other performers include Anitta (feat. Fat Joe, DJ Khaled + Tiago PZK), Benson Boone, Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Halsey, KAROL G, Lenny Kravitz, LISA, LL COOL J, Rauw Alejandro, Sabrina Carpenter and Shawn Mendes.

With the addition of social categories, Taylor Swift still leads in terms of most nominations (12), followed by Post Malone (11), Eminem (eight), Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter + SZA (seven each); Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, GloRilla, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo + Teddy Swims (four each).

General fan voting closes Friday (Sept. 9) on MTV’s website. Voting for best new artist remains active through the show.

The 2024 VMAs will air live on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT across MTV’s global footprint, including BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1 and Univision.

Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba are executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.