MTV VMAS 2018: Jennifer Lopez to receive Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award

Organisers have announced that global superstar Jennifer Lopez will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2018 MTV VMAs. She is also set to perform live at this year’s show for the first time since 2001 and is nominated for two VMAs for her most recent single, Dinero. With a legacy that spawns over two decades, Lopez is one of the most iconic and influential multi-hyphenates across music, film, television, fashion, business and philanthropy.

Lopez joins a prestigious list of past Vanguard recipients that include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Guns N’ Roses, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Kanye West, Rihanna and Pink. The VMAs will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Tuesday, 21 August 03:00 CAT and repeat the same night at 21:15 CAT across MTV’s global network of channels in more than 180 countries and territories, reaching more than half a billion households around the world.

Since her first album, On the 6, debuted in 1999, Lopez has transformed the global music scene, including selling over 80 million records worldwide, 40 million albums, 16 top 10 hit songs, and three #1 albums. In addition to her music, Lopez has made her mark in film and television. Her films have grossed over $2.9 billion worldwide, five of which opened at #1. Her portrayal of the Latin music sensation Selena earned her widespread acclaim. Lopez’ simultaneous release of her second studio album J.Lo and her romantic comedy The Wedding Planner paved the way for her to become the first woman to have a number one album and film in the same week.

Furthermore, Lopez dedicates her time to support humanitarian causes. Following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, Lopez and Alex Rodriguez personally donated $1 million to humanitarian aid for Puerto Rico and helped launch a humanitarian relief campaign, Somos Una Voz, an effort supported by celebrities to rush supplies to areas affected by Hurricane Maria.

Lopez and Rodriguez then organized a star studded telethon event for disaster relief, One Voice: Somos Live!, which raised over $35 million.  In April 2018, Lopez was named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People.”