The VMAs are nearly here! On Tuesday, the awards show that honors the best in music videos will take place in Newark, New Jersey, hosted by none other than last year's cohost, Nicki Minaj.
Nicki and the VMAs have a long history. She's received seven awards, including last year's Video Vanguard, and has been nominated for many, many more. Given the love the VMAs have showed her over the years, it might come as a surprise that she didn't win her first nomination in 2010 for Best New Artist.
In fact, Nicki is among several hugely popular musicians who lost Best New Artist at the VMAs over the years. Call it a blessing in disguise or just the reality of some equally talented competitors, but these 14 musicians (including Nicki) who lost prove that missing out on some feats early in your career doesn't have to hold you back.
FYI, the VMAs have over the years oscillated from honoring a new artist for a single video and honoring a new artist for all their musical work in one year. This is why you'll see a specific music video named alongside an artist in their nomination while nominees in other years are just designated by their name.
1. Lil Nas X (2019)
Who won: Billie Eilish
2. SZA (2017)
Who won: Khalid
3. Sam Smith for "Stay with Me" (2014)
Who won: Fifth Harmony for "Miss Movin' On"
4. The Weeknd for "Wicked Games" (2013)
Who won: Austin Mahone for "What About Love"
5. Frank Ocean for "Swim Good" (2012)
Who won: One Direction for "What Makes You Beautiful"
6. Nicki Minaj (featuring Sean Garrett) for "Massive Attack" (2010)
Who won: Justin Bieber (featuring Ludacris) for "Baby"
7. Drake for "Best I Ever Had" (2009)
Who won: Lady Gaga for "Poker Face"
8. Taylor Swift for "Teardrops on My Guitar" (2008)
Who won: Tokio Hotel for "Ready, Set, Go!"
9. Amy Winehouse (2007)
Who won: Gym Class Heroes
10. Rihanna for "SOS" (2006)
Who won: Avenged Sevenfold for "Bat Country"
11. John Legend for "Ordinary People" (2005)
Who won: The Killers for "Mr. Brightside"
12. Kelly Clarkson for "Miss Independent" (2003)
Who won: 50 Cent for "In da Club"
13. Lenny Kravitz for "Let Love Rule" (1990)
Who won: Michael Penn for "No Myth"
14. And finally, Whitney Houston for "How Will I Know" (1986)
Who won: A-ha for "Take On Me"
Be sure to tune in to the 2023 VMAs, airing live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, Sept. 12th at 8 PM ET/PT on MTV. You can catch all of our coverage of the show here.
A live hosted simulcast will air on UniMás at 8 PM ET/PT with an encore to follow on Univision at 11:30 PM ET/PT, making it available to the most global audience in VMA history. Univision’s Alejandra Espinoza will host exclusive live in-show segments throughout the broadcast.
The VMAs will also be simulcast across MTV sister networks BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand & VH1. The 2023 VMAs pre-show will air at 6:30-8:00 PM ET/PT. NLE Choppa and Sabrina Carpenter are set to perform during the 90-minute event, hosted by award-winning rap star Saweetie with Nessa, Dometi Pongo, and Kevan Kenney.