Video Vanguard Award Winners Over the Years: Who Has Won at Past VMAs?

Katy Perry joins an iconic list of honorees after being presented with the Video Vanguard Award by Orlando Bloom at MTV’s 2024 VMAs. Here’s a full list of past recipients.

MTV presented Katy Perry with the Video Vanguard Award at this year’s Video Music Awards, an honor made even more special by being presented by her longtime partner, Orlando Bloom.

Perry now joins a prestigious list of honorees, including Madonna, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and other legendary artists like David Bowie—the first recipient of the award at the inaugural VMAs in 1984. In 1991, the network renamed the coveted award, which is not presented every year, to honor Michael Jackson, who received the Moon Person in 1988.

At the 36th annual VMAs, Missy Elliott made history as the first female rap artist to accept the Vanguard Award, while Shakira became the first South American artist to receive the honor at the 2023 ceremony.

From the first recipient to the most recent, here’s a look at the history of past Video Vanguard Award winners.

1. David Bowie (1984)

Bowie took home the very first MTV Video Vanguard Award in 1984 at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards. The ceremony also included a special mention of The Beatles and director Richard Lester for their contributions to music videos over the years.

2. David Byrne (1985)

David Byrne took home the Vanguard Award in 1985. The former Talking Heads frontman shared the honor with rock duo Godley & Creme as well as Russell Mulcahy, who notably directed “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

3. Madonna (1986)

Madonna made history as the first woman to take home a Vanguard Award in 1986. The singer shared the honor with music video director Zbigniew Rybczyński.

4. Peter Gabriel (1987)

Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel was honored with the award in 1987 alongside British director Julien Temple, who contributed to various music videos by David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and the Sex Pistols.

5. Michael Jackson (1988)

Jackson was the winner of the Vanguard Award in 1988, a year after the release of his seventh studio album Bad.

6. George Michael (1989)

7. Janet Jackson (1990)

Janet Jackson was awarded the Vanguard Award in 1990 at just 24 years old. She remains the youngest person to ever receive the honor.

8. Bon Jovi (1991)

In 1991, Bon Jovi took home the award alongside Wayne Isham, who directed a handful of the band’s notable music videos.

9. Guns N’ Roses (1992)

10. The Rolling Stones (1994)

11. R.E.M (1995)

12. LL Cool J (1997)

In 1997, LL Cool J became the first hip-hop artist to take home a Vanguard Award. He shared the honor with director Mark Romenek, who notably directed Janet and Michael Jackson’s video for “Scream.”

13. Beastie Boys (1998)

14. Red Hot Chili Peppers (2000)

15. U2 (2001)

16. Duran Duran (2003)

17. Hype Williams (2006)

18. Brittany Spears (2011)

19. Justin Timberlake (2013)

Justin Timberlake was joined by his former *NSYNC bandmates and friend Jimmy Fallon as he accepted the award.

20. Beyoncé (2014)

Beyoncé was presented the 2014 Vanguard Award by her husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy.

21. Kanye West (2015)

22. Rihanna (2016)

23. Pink (2017)

24. Jennifer Lopez (2018)

Jennifer Lopez took home the Vanguard Award in 2018, making her the very first Latin artist to receive the honor.

25. Missy Elliott (2019)

26. Nicki Minaj (2022)

27. Shakira (2023)

28. Katy Perry (2024)