As a music journalist, VMA Day means heading to the venue, setting up, and chatting with artists like Flo Milli, French Montana, and LE SSERAFIM. This year, as I admired Chappell Roan’s medieval-inspired red carpet look and joined the crowd cheering 'STREAM DIET PEPSI' when Addison Rae walked by, I knew we were in for a spectacular evening.

You don’t need to be in the industry to know the VMAs are known for unforgettable moments. From Lady Gaga's fake blood look to Britney Spears with a snake, the show has given us some of pop culture’s most iconic visuals. Now, with another VMA under my belt, I’m ready to reveal the top three performances from this year’s event.

First, a quick note: Katy Perry’s Video Vanguard performance isn’t part of this ranking. It wouldn’t be fair to compare a 10-minute, career-defining medley to 2024 performances (and Katy was bound to be amazing anyway). With that said, here are my picks for the best 2024 VMAs performances.

I have a soft spot for Karol G, so her return to the VMAs was something I was looking forward to. The Colombian powerhouse brought the heat to Long Island with her merengue-inspired track, 'Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,' a song about the struggle of wanting someone who's already taken. It’s both relatable and infectious—just ask Taylor Swift, who was up dancing. The best part of the performance? Karol didn’t just celebrate Colombia but honored all Latin nations, bringing together a diverse crowd as she owned the stage."

Let’s all act surprised, shall we? I’ve been a Sabrina Carpenter fan since her Singular era, so I’m beyond excited that the world has finally caught on to her undeniable star power, thanks to a little 'me espresso.' Naturally, her VMAs performance was flawless, from her glowing tan and blonde locks to her flirty stage presence, which stole the show as she descended on a massive diamond. While I’ve watched Sabrina perform her hits like 'Please, Please, Please' and 'Espresso,' she made her live debut of 'Taste' with a playful nod to MTV’s iconic moon person, complete with astronaut dancers—and yes, even a make-out session with a stylish blue alien. Mark my words, this is definitely one of the most iconic VMA moments of the decade

We’re still wondering how we kept it to only 3.

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