The Best and Worst Dressed Stars at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards

By:

Melissa Copelton, Audrey Rock

September 12, 2023 6:44PM EDT

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet was all about fashion — but which celebrities were the best or worst dressed of the night? Keep scrolling to see who made HollywoodLife’s list.

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Best & Worst Looks at the 2023 VMAs

Best & Worst Looks at the 2023 VMAs — Demi Lovato and Olivia Rodrigo wowed us with their bold and elegant looks at the 2023 MTV VMAs on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 in New Jersey. But for every “best,” there’s also a worst, and Tinashe landed herself squarely there with her sparkling net and black tape ensemble.

Thanks to her sparkling old Hollywood look, however, Olivia Rodrigo wowed us and landed on our “best” looks of the night. As the stars lined up on the red carpet for the big event, our fashion experts were here checking out the very best and very worst fashion emsembles on a night known for its wild and uninhibited fashions — as much as it’s known for its wild and uninhibited onstage moments.

Click through to see our best and worst looks of the 2023 MTV VMAs.

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Doja Cat: Worst

Doja Cat: Worst — Doja Cat arrives in a super stringy look at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, New Jersey, on 12 Sep 2023. Her barely-there, super-racy spider-web look was held together by a few zig-zaggy threads and little else, and she paired the look with matching grayish-white hair, a pair of nude string bikini undies, and nude-toned heels.

Her icy-hued eye makeup and spidery lashes completed the look and pulled what little was there together. But where does her halloween-ready ensemble fall on the spectrum of good vs. bad fashion? Unfortunately, Doja’s “dress” didn’t quite qualify, and falls in our “worst” looks of the night. While the hitmaker is clearly rocking a flawless physique and per usual, looks gorgeous, the dress doesn’t quite make the cut…or has way too many of them, as the case may be.

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Selena Gomez: Best

Selena Gomez: Best — Selena Gomez pauses for photos as she arrives at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. Her tattered red dress may not be among her personal very best looks, but it was definitely among the best looks at Tuesday’s big event. She finished the look with elegant red stilettos and gorgeous jewelry, truly making it a standout look.

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Billy Porter: Best

Billy Porter: Best — Billy Porter arrives in head to toe white at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12. We’re always here for a daring white look, but what really makes this one pop is the dramatic white ruffle and regal string of pearls across the chest.

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Justina Valentine: Worst

Justina Valentine: Worst — Justina Valentine poses for photographers at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday. Justina, you look gorgeous, but what’s with the Vegas showgirl look? The hue of electric blue, paired with the feathered details and sequins, just isn’t doing it for us.

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Jared and Shannon Leto: Worst

Jared and Shannon Leto: Worst — Thirty Seconds to Mars – Shannon Leto and Jared Leto, arrive for the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey looking like a goth mess. Shannon opted for shapeless black, while Jared overdid it with a leather apron look. We love the stiletto boots, but we’d like to see a vibrant pop anywhere in this duo’s somber ensembles.

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Tinashe: Worst

Tinashe: Worst — Tinashe arrives at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in nothing but sparkly net and some black tape. She paired the racy look with statement platform heels. Flawless physique notwithstanding, the screaming look took it all a little too far for our tastes.

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Rita Ora: Best

Rita Ora: Best — Rita Ora stuns at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey on Sept. 12. Rita’s completely black gown worked because it includes a stunning off-the-shoulder neckline and elegant, effusive folds of black fabric, minus harsh goth details. Pure class.

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Olivia Rodrigo: Best

Olivia Rodrigo: Best — Olivia Rodrigo stunned in a elegant plunging silver sheath at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept 12! The sparkling gown gave all the “old Hollywood” vibes, and her sleek Audrey-Hepburn-esque updo completed one of the best looks of the evening perfectly.

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Amelia Dimoldenberg: Worst

Amelia Dimoldenberg: Worst — Amelia Dimoldenberg steps onto the red carpet at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, in New Jersey on 12 Sep 2023. While we’re generally fans of a black dress, Amelia’s is a bit basic and lacks shape in the loose pleated skirt.

Still, we’re big fans of the stunning mermaid waves and impeccable sparkling duster earrings.

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Demi Lovato: Best

Demi Lovato: Best — Demi’s daring, head-to-toe black look might have been in danger of becoming a murky fashion misstep.

But the bold, mile-long shoulder pads, sexy strap along the next, and sleek black manicure make for an unapologetically fierce and unforgettable vibe. With her daring ensemble, Demi definitely made out “best” list.

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Saweetie: Worst

Saweetie: Worst — We love a sparkling Barbie pink dress, but we’re completely unsure what to do with the Flintstones-worthy pink bones at the waist and the neck.

Still, Saweetie always looks, well…sweet!

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Anitta: Worst

Anitta: Worst — While her black gaping keyhole cutout dress is a sexy, skintight vibe, it’s also a confusion. Why the beige bra, yellow earring, and asymmetrical red earring? Unfortunately, the look just doesn’t come together.

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Chanel West Coast: Worst

Chanel West Coast: Worst — Chanel West Coast arrives for the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey on Sept. 12 in a busy strapless mess of tulle, leather, and appliqued crucifixes.

Chanel, we love your high ponytail and excellent boots, but we just can’t give you a pass on this distraction of a mini dress.

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Bebe Rexha: Worst

Bebe Rexha: Worst — Bebe Rexha is gorgeous in a black leather dress with Madonna-inspired bra cups, no question about it. But the hitmaker added bizarre peep-holes to the rear of the dress, leaving fans in utter confusion, and landing her on our “worst” looks of the night list.

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Kelsea Ballerini: Best

Kelsea Ballerini: Best — Kelsea Ballerini absolutely stunned in a red cutout halter gown at the
2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12. The elegant, lipstick-hued gown also featured a plunging backline, and the country beauty finished the look with sexy layered bracelets and a natural hairdo.

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Cardi B: Best

Cardi B: Best — Cardi B never fails to surprise us, and she did so again with a bold dress made entirely of clips! Somehow, it worked — in particular, the addition of arm pieces seemed to pull it all together for a fiercely sexy and unexpected look.

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Megan Thee Stallion: Best

Megan Thee Stallion: Best — Following the Tory Lanez sentencing drama, Megan Thee Stallion was due for a glamorous night out — and she delivered at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

The rapper’s sheer, bustier-style black gown and sparkling choker necklace confirmed that she is, and always will be, incomparably stunning and powerful.

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