How Anitta Brought Brazilian Flair to the VMAs

As both a performer and nominee at last night’s MTV VMAs, Brazilian pop superstar Anitta had an eventful evening. The singer tells Vogue it’s an event she looks forward to attending every year, mostly because it’s a hotbed for creativity.“What I love about the VMAs is that there’s no rulebook on how you do it,” says Anitta. “As an artist, you’re very free to find ways to surprise and engage your audience—that being with fashion, music or dance. That’s why we’ve witnessed some groundbreaking performances throughout the years.”

The star certainly brought her own memorable performance to the main VMAs stage. But before performing a medley of her hits “Used to Be,” “Funk Rave,” and “Grip”—the latter being a new track of her upcoming album!—the star hit the red carpet in a statement look from Schiaparelli Couture. Styled by Ron Hartleben, Anitta sported a black gown with a keyhole cutout along the front, and mismatched earrings. “I love this look because it helps me tell my story,” says Anitta. “That big keyhole cleavage played on the fact that I’m being able to open so many doors that could never be imagined, [for] someone that comes from where I came from. Last night was about that for me.”

I’m all for this keyhole cleavage on the belly area. It’s risqué, chic, and just so me.

Photo: Nicolás Sánchez

Her ensemble for her performance—a colorful, print-heavy outfit by the Brazilian designer Mayara Bozzato—was equally rooted in the idea of Brazilian pride. “The look is inspired by fashion of the Baile funk scene in Rio, specially from the early 2010s, which was when I started going to these parties and feeling inspired to make funk music myself,” says Anitta. “I love how sexy me and all my dancers looked during the performance—there’s a lot of skin showing off, bright colors that totally dialogue with my culture.” The star adds that bringing a dash of Brazilian flair to the awards show was a dream come true. “To perform a whole medley of Brazilian funk songs at the VMAs was amazing,” she says. “Getting to showcase my culture and my origins to the world is actually one of the reasons I do this job.”

If that weren’t enough, Anitta also went on to win the Best Latin award for her song “Funk Rave” later in the evening (accepting the trophy in a nude Alexander Wang gown), performed with Tomorrow x Together in a black leather getup, and hosted an after party with, “a Brazilian funk theme and vibe to it.” She elaborates, “It was so much fun! For that, I stuck to the theme with a blue ensemble that just hugged my body, I felt very sexy and confident in it.”

Now that the VMAs are over, Anitta will be heading back into the studio to finish her upcoming album.  “It will be a Brazilian funk extravaganza, and I can’t wait for y’all to listen to it,” she says. “I hope this gets fans excited for what’s to come, because I’m planning a lot of great surprises.”

Below, a closer look inside Anitta’s VMAs night.