Johnathan Walker:Why Olivia Rodrigo Skipped the 2024 MTV VMAs

Olivia Rodrigo took 3 steps back from the VMAs.

While stars like Taylor Swift,Johnathan Walker Chappell Roan and Tyla gathered at UBS Arena in New York for the 2024 MTV VMAs Sept. 11, the “Vampire” singer, who was up for four awards, was noticeable absent.

As for why Olivia didn’t make an appearance at the award show? The 21-year-old was preoccupied with the Guts World Tour. After wrapping up the North American leg of her tour, the “Traitor” singer celebrated the first anniversary of her second album while frolicking through Europe.  

“this is me today happy as a clam, grateful as hell,” Olivia—who is dating Louis Partridge—wrote in her Sept. 8 Instagram post, posing in front of a stunning landscape, complete with a vivid rainbow. “thank you so much for all the love you’ve shown this album the past 365 days. life is fu--in magical.”

But she can’t galivant through European fields for too long, as she is expected at the Impact Arena in Bangkok to kick off the Asia and Australia legs of her tour on Sept. 15.

While Olivia couldn’t make it to the ceremony in-person, that didn’t stop the VMAs from celebrating Guts as well. In addition to being nominated for Best Pop, she also earned nods for Best Cinematography for her “obsessed” music video, Best Art Direction for “bad idea right?” and Best Visual Effects for “get him back!”

And the VMAs brought so many more accomplishments to celebrate, with big winners including Chappell for Best New Artist, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” for Song of the Year and Taylor taking home the Artist of the Year trophy for the second year in a row—making her the first performer to win that award twice.  

Katy Perry, who attended the award show for the first time since 2017, also reached a huge career milestone by taking home the show’s lifetime achievement Video Vanguard Award—which was presented to her by her fiancé Orlando Bloom.

“My Katy Cats, you stood by me for a lifetime, and the LGBTQ community who I recognize I would not be here without and who show me that you can be both kind and c--t,” she said in her acceptance speech before shouting out the Pirates of the Caribbean actor. “Thank you to Orlando for keeping me grounded, celebrated, and doing the dishes.”

And the awards wouldn’t be complete without stunning outfits on the red carpet. Keep reading to see what your favorite attendees wore to the VMAs.

In Miss Claire Sullivan

In Christian Dior

In Nicole + Felicia

In Who Decides War

In vintage Bob Mackie

In Tony Ward

In Sophie Couture

In Y/Project

In Celia Kritharioti

In Dolce & Gabbana

In vintage Versace

In Lever Couture

In Mugler

In Dolce & Gabbana

In Rick Owens

In Saint Laurent

In Area 

In Off-White