Reviews of all performances, including Sabrina Carpenter

The MTV VMAs have officially reached middle age.

The 40^th incarnation of the show has long been valued more for the performances that became career milestones for many artists than for who goes home with a statue of a moon man.

It's no wonder that a supernova like Chappell Roan was willing to cut her touring schedule to take the stage at UBS Arena on Long Island, New York, on Wednesday night alongside generational megastars Eminem, LL Cool J, Lenny Kravitz and Video Vanguard award winner Katy Perry, who is in need of a career reset.

The elaborate set, centered around a 19-meter-high inflatable moon figure towering over five stages, proved to be an ideal playground for host Megan Thee Stallion, who oversaw a production that featured pop idols such as Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello, Halsey, Blackpink newbie Lisa and the recently resurfaced Shawn Mendes, among others.

Here's how they all performed.

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Anitta with DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Tiago PZK, “Paradise”, “Alegria”, “Savage Funk”

After her sparkling performance last year, the Brazilian beauty returned to the VMA stage and was joined by the ever-useless DJ Khaled and the all-round talent Fat Joe for “Paradise.”

We're pretty sure Anitta and her co-stars could have pulled off the performance even without Khaled constantly yelling “Hands up!” At least Anitta gelled well with Fat Joe and was able to switch between her singing and his rapping to a clip-klop beat.