Major award ceremonies are not just about the awards themselves. The stars’ fashionable appearances on the red carpet also usually cause a stir. At this year’s MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey, two big names were at the top of the lists of the best-dressed celebrities of the evening: Taylor Swift (33) and Selena Gomez (31).

Selena Gomez wore a red Oscar de la Renta gown at the 2023 MTV VMAs. The halterneck dress in a floral design was semi-sheer and had a plunging neckline and a skirt made of beaded flower tendrils. Gomez paired it with matching red stilettos and silver jewelry. The Only Murders in the Building star wore her dark hair parted in the middle and styled straight for the occasion.

Taylor Swift went for simple elegance at the VMAs: The 33-year-old “Midnights” singer appeared on the red carpet in a skin-tight, asymmetrical halter neck dress from Versace with a high leg slit and gold buttons. She completed her black outfit with several gold necklaces and black stilettos. She had her hair pulled back into a ponytail.

There was a special surprise for Taylor Swift later at the awards ceremony: *NSYNC were on stage together again at the MTV Video Music Awards to present her with one of the awards. The band, consisting of Chris Kirkpatrick (51), JC Chasez (47), Justin Timberlake (42), Lance Bass (44) and Joey Fatone (46), honored the artist in the “Best Pop” category. When Swift joined them on stage, she was apparently shocked. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she is having a hard time switching from the *NSYNC reunion to her prize. “You are pop personified,” Swift gushed.