For the first time, only women were nominated in the show’s artist of the year category.
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Karol G, and Shakira contended for the night’s top prize.
The previous year, only one female artist made the list. Lizzo was nominated for the award, which was won by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny. In 2021, five of the six nominees were female, but Justin Bieber came out as the winner.
The VMAs, which took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, also saw a solo female host. Minaj emceed alongside Lil Wayne and Jack Harlow the previous year, but this year she went it alone.
