After a six-year hiatus, Demi Lovato made a triumphant comeback to the MTV VMA stage on Tuesday night, giving some of her biggest hits a fresh new spin.
Although the 31-year-old singer did not scoop up the Moon Person awards for Best Pop and Video for Good, which went to Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero and Dove Cameron’s Breakfast, respectively, the 14-time VMA nominee left her mark on stage when she performed a rock medley of her chart-topping songs Heart Attack, Sorry Not Sorry, and Cool for the Summer.
Wearing a custom corset latex gown by LA-based designer Venus Prototype, the Sonny with a Chance star kicked off her set with an alternative rendition of Heart Attack, followed by Sorry Not Sorry before closing her performance with Cool for the Summer.
The songs are part of her newly released remix album Revamped, which includes ten re-recorded rock renditions of songs from her previous albums.
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Demi kept the rock ‘n’ roll theme going by donning a black liquid latex gown with a twisted off-the-shoulder neckline, a flattering corseted bodice, and a draped waistband that cascaded into a midi skirt.
Jill Jacobs styled Demi’s edgy outfit with fingerless latex opera gloves, as well as edgy mismatched silver earrings and a few rings. Jacobs’ celebrity clients include siblings Charli and Dixie d’Amelio, singer and actress Chloe Bailey, and Spanish singer Rosalia.
Demi Lovato belts out rock remixes of her greatest hits at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey on September 12, 2023 (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Before hitting the stage, the Camp Rock actress walked the red carpet in an all-black ensemble by Buerlangma, a rising Beijing-based fashion brand known for its unique design aesthetic.
Channeling her inner rock goddess, the Skyscraper hitmaker wore a little black dress with a bodice cut from semi-sheer mesh and leather. The bottom half featured a softly pleated mini skirt that grazed her shapely thighs.
Adding her signature edge to the look was a massive, boxy leather trench coat with structurally exaggerated shoulders and a floor-length hem.
A classic pair of pointy black pumps by Christian Louboutin balanced the avant-garde look of her red-carpet ensemble.
Demi Lovato channels her inner rock goddess in Buerlangma LBD and massive overcoat with structural boxy shoulders (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Jill Jacobs added a touch of bling to the monochromatic black look, styling the singer with dangling silver geometric earrings and several chunky rings by American jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz and Orifa Jewels.
As for her glam, the Princess Protection Program star commissioned makeup artist Jill Powell and hairstylist Alyx Liu to achieve a gothic-chic look.
Her raven tresses were slicked off her face, and her striking features were enhanced with smokey eyeshadow, coral blush, and nude lipstick.
Demi Lovato completes her gothic, rock-chic look with sleek tresses, smokey eyes, and nude lipstick (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Reimagining Pop Hits as Rock Songs in Revamped Album
Demi Lovato’s new album, Revamped, dropped September 15, “is an homage to the songs that resonated the most with fans.”
The songs “played a big role in my career by breathing an exciting new life into them,” Lovato said in a statement.”
“Creating this project has been incredibly fun and allowed me to express my passion for rock music in a new way, and I feel so much closer to my older music because of it. I can’t wait for everyone to hear more,” she continued.
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In addition to Heart Attack, Sorry Not Sorry, and Cool for the Summer, the album includes rock remixes of her chart-topping pop tracks Confident, Tell Me You Love Me, Neon Lights, and Skyscraper.
Lovato told Rolling Stone that she loves “revisiting these past moments in my career. We’ve done a great job of re-envisioning the songs, and I’m really happy with them.”