Victoria Monét Says She Was Told It’s ‘Too Early’ in Her Career to Perform at 2023 VMAs

From Olivia Rodrigo and Nicki Minaj to Doja Cat and STRAY KIDS, the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards certainly weren’t short on performances. Nonetheless, there was one artist who some very vocal fans were hoping to see on the stage, but she says she was denied the opportunity to perform.

Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Victoria Monét took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain to inquiring fans why she did not perform at Tuesday night’s show, writing, “I see your advocation for me to have performed tonight and I’m so grateful to you!! Sincerely! My team was told it is ‘too early in my story’ for that opportunity so we will keep working!”

Monét is set to kick off her first headlining tour on Friday at Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. The tour is in support of Jaguar II, her debut studio album, which became her highest-charting Billboard 200 entry upon release (No. 60). Jaguar II serves as the sequel to the original Jaguar EP, which debuted and peaked at No. 174 on the Billboard 200 back in 2020 and spawned singles such as “Moment” and “A– Like That.” The Jaguar Tour will feature a rotating cast of opening acts, including Alex Vaughn, Ambré, Kendra Jae, Lavish, Leon Thomas, Tanerélle and Tone Stith.

“I’m grateful for YOU, for my tour starting this Friday and for the ability to see some of my favorite people perform tonight and receive the love they so deserve!!!” Monét concluded her message.

Monét’s absence follows what some fans on social media perceived as a disregard for the R&B genre at the 2023 VMAs. No solo R&B artists performed during the nearly four-hour ceremony, and the only R&B category — best R&B, won by SZA’s “Shirt” — was not accepted by the artist during the telecast. (The best R&B category returned in 2019 after a 12-year hiatus from the show.)

Billboard reached out to reps for the MTV Video Music Awards for comment on Monet’s post.

Monét’s “On My Mama,” the breakout single from Jaguar II, recently became her first unaccompanied Billboard Hot 100 entry (No. 98) and the song’s ’00s Black South-tribute music video and Sean Bankhead-helmed choreography went viral across social media. She also is a three-time Grammy nominee thanks to her work with Ariana Grande (“7 rings”) and Chloe x Halle (“Do It”).

Monét’s writing credits include Diddy-Dirty Money, Coco Jones, Fifth Harmony, Brandy and BLACKPINK. She released her debut EP, Nightmares & Lullabies: Act 1, in 2014.

Read Monét’s tweet here:

I see your advocation for me to have performed tonight and I’m so grateful to you!! Sincerely! My team was told it is “too early in my story” for that opportunity so we will keep working! I’m grateful for YOU, for my tour starting this Friday and for the ability to see some of my…

— Victoria Monét (@VictoriaMonet) September 13, 2023