Katy Perry’s Most Shocking VMA Performances: Decoding The 2024 Video Vanguard Medley And Iconic 'Roar' Moment

Katy Perry's history with the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) is legendary, marked by explosive performances, headline-grabbing fashion, and milestone career moments. As of December 2025, the most recent and arguably most significant chapter was her monumental return to the VMA stage in September 2024, where she was honored with the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. This appearance, her first VMA performance in seven years, delivered a powerful medley that spanned her entire career, cementing her status as a pop visionary and dominating the social conversation.

The 2024 performance was a masterclass in pop spectacle, immediately following her acceptance of the Video Vanguard Award. It not only celebrated her greatest hits but also introduced new music, proving that the "Teenage Dream" era artist is still capable of delivering fresh, high-impact moments that define the cultural landscape. The setlist and her choice of performance attire became instant talking points, continuing her long tradition of VMA controversy and spectacle.

Katy Perry: Complete Biography and Profile

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, known professionally as Katy Perry, has evolved from a gospel singer into one of the world's best-selling music artists. Her career is defined by her infectious pop anthems, vibrant aesthetics, and a knack for creating global cultural moments.

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• Full Name: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson
• Stage Name: Katy Perry
• Date of Birth: October 25, 1984
• Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California, USA
• Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Television Personality (TV Judge), Entrepreneur
• Years Active: 2001–present
• Key Albums: One of the Boys (2008), Teenage Dream (2010), PRISM (2013), Witness (2017), Smile (2020)
• VMA History: Five-time VMA winner, host of the 2017 VMAs, and 2024 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award recipient.

The 2024 Video Vanguard Medley: New Music and Controversial Fashion

Katy Perry’s return to the VMA stage in September 2024 was the centerpiece of the show, celebrating her receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. This performance was highly anticipated, as it was her first VMA performance in seven years, and she delivered a high-energy medley that covered her entire discography.

The performance was a rapid-fire journey through her hits, showcasing her versatility and the sheer volume of her chart-topping singles. The setlist was a strategic mix of fan-favorites and new material, designed to bridge her iconic past with her current musical direction.

The Full 2024 VMA Performance Setlist:

• Intro: (Contains elements of "Roar" and "WOMAN'S WORLD")
• Medley Part 1: "Dark Horse" / "E.T." (A powerful, darker start to the set)
• New Single Debut: "I'M HIS, HE'S MINE" (Live debut with rapper Doechii)
• Medley Part 2: "California Gurls" / "Teenage Dream" / "I Kissed a Girl" / "Firework" / "LIFETIMES" (The iconic pop-era finale)

The inclusion of "I'M HIS, HE'S MINE" with Doechii was a major moment, marking the live debut of the collaboration and signaling her new album cycle. The energy of the performance was electric, utilizing custom video content designed by Silent Partners Studio to enhance the visual spectacle.

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The Shocking Outfits That Dominated Headlines

In true Katy Perry fashion, the outfits were as much a spectacle as the music. For her red carpet arrival, Perry wore a shredded white bralette and a matching low-rise skirt by Who Decides War, intentionally exposing her midriff. This look was a bold, deconstructed take on pop-star glamour. However, it was her second look that drew the most attention.

For the main performance, Perry changed into a cleavage-bearing dress by Area that featured dozens of shimmering silver tassels. The combination of high-fashion and pop-edge cemented her place as a VMA fashion risk-taker. The entire look, from the red carpet to the stage, was analyzed by fashion and pop culture critics alike, generating massive topical authority around the event.

The 'Most Iconic Performance' of All Time: Roar (2013)

While the 2024 Video Vanguard Medley generated the most recent buzz, it is Katy Perry’s 2013 performance of her hit single "Roar" that has been officially recognized as the "Most Iconic Performance" in VMA history.

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The 2013 VMAs saw Perry close the show with a stunning, emotionally charged rendition of "Roar." The performance took place not on the main stage, but under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. This unique, outdoor setting gave the performance an epic, cinematic quality that few VMA moments have ever matched.

The concept was a powerful display of resilience and strength. Perry was dressed in a boxing-inspired outfit, complete with a sports bra and shorts, symbolizing a fighter. The performance culminated in a spectacular finale where she jumped rope and was hoisted into the air, all while a massive firework display erupted over the East River. The visual spectacle of the fireworks against the New York skyline, combined with the powerful anthem, created an unforgettable moment that resonated globally.

The "Roar" performance was impactful not just for its scale, but for its commercial and cultural timing. It marked a major return for Perry and set the tone for her PRISM album cycle. The performance is consistently cited by fans and critics as a high-water mark for the VMAs, demonstrating how a single performance can become a career-defining moment and a permanent piece of pop culture history.

Katy Perry's Enduring VMA Legacy: More Than Just Music

Katy Perry’s relationship with the MTV VMAs extends beyond her two most famous performances. Since her first appearance in 2008, she has been a consistent presence, earning nominations for hits like "I Kissed a Girl" and winning for tracks like "E.T." (featuring Kanye West) and "Dark Horse." She even had a chummy history with the awards show, famously meeting her ex-husband Russell Brand at the 2009 VMAs where she performed a cover of Queen's "We Will Rock You."

Her tenure as the host of the 2017 VMAs, where she also performed "Swish Swish," further demonstrated her commitment to the spectacle and irreverence the show is known for. Her ability to blend high-concept artistry with playful, self-aware pop has made her a perennial favorite.

The 2024 Video Vanguard Award and its accompanying medley, which seamlessly wove together her greatest hits—from the youthful "Teenage Dream" to the mature "LIFETIMES"—served as a definitive retrospective. By acknowledging her past while actively debuting new music, Katy Perry proved that her VMA legacy is one of continuous evolution, spectacle, and a relentless pursuit of pop excellence. Her performances remain essential viewing, driving cultural conversation and setting the benchmark for what a major awards show moment should be.