Katy Perry presents epic medley of hits and accepts video Vanguard

Katy Perry lit up the VMAs stage like fireworks.

The 39-year-old singer, who received the Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV VMAs on Wednesday, September 11, wowed the crowd at New York's UBS Arena with her performances of “Dark Horse,” “ET,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Girl,” “Firework” and “Lifetimes.”

Doechii also joined the honoree onstage to perform the live debut of their collaboration, “I'm His, He's Mine,” which is set for release on Friday, September 13, and will appear on Perry's upcoming album. 143.

At the beginning of her performance, Perry entered the arena flying above the stage and amidst a laser light show. The visual effects varied throughout the nearly 10-minute performance and also included floating butterflies and Perry herself with butterfly wings.

Find PEOPLE’s complete coverage of the MTV VMAs here.

When Perry accepted the Video Vanguard Award, she revealed that she accomplished her feat under extreme circumstances.

“I did all this on the first day of my period and I couldn't believe it,” she told the audience, before expressing her gratitude to MTV for believing in her “craziness” from the start.

“There are so many things that have to come together to have a long and successful career as an artist,” Perry said. “There are no decades-long coincidences. My team, who have been with me for over 20 years, direct management and my label Capitol Records, trust me. It takes a village full of strong people, a lot of healthy discourse and a lot of group chats.”

After paying tribute to her parents, with whom she doesn't always “see eye to eye,” she also thanked “MySpace, Warped Tour, and all the past places where I found a vocal identity and a community so early on.”

Perry added, “Thank you to the friends who were there when my Jetta was repossessed, to my KatyCats who have stood by me throughout my life, and to the LGBTQ community without whom I would not be here.”

During her speech, Perry also praised her fiancé Orlando Bloom for keeping her “grounded” and “doing the dishes,” referring to her recent interview on Call her daddy She said it excites her to know her husband is taking care of this task. She also paid tribute to her daughter Daisy Dove.

The award also marked her first return to the VMAs stage since 2017, when she hosted and performed at the star-studded evening.

Find PEOPLE’s complete coverage of the MTV VMAs here.

Previous Video Vanguard Award winners include Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. Shakira was honored with the special Moon Person award last year.

Perry won her first VMA in 2011, receiving three Moon Persons for Best Visual Effects and Best Collaboration (“ET” with Kanye West) and Video of the Year (“Firework”). She also received a Moon Person in 2012 for Best Art Direction (“Wide Awake”) and in 2014 for Best Female Video (“Dark Horse” (with Juicy J).

Although she won't be attending another Moon Person this year besides Video Vanguard, it will certainly be an unforgettable evening for Perry.

“Katy is a musical powerhouse and a true pop culture icon,” Bruce Gillmer, Paramount's president of music, musical talent, programming and events and chief content officer for music at Paramount+, said in a statement in August when he announced Perry would receive the video slate.

“With her groundbreaking creative vision, she has become a global phenomenon, conquering the biggest stages in the world,” he continued. Katy's prowess will be on full display LIVE at the VMAs, with a can't-miss, career-spanning performance celebrating her biggest moments and chart-topping hits.”

This award comes days before Perry’s album 143 (her first release in four years). The album's first single, “Woman's World,” was released on July 11.

The 2024 MTV VMAs will air live from the UBS Arena in New York on September 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.