Karol G Brings the Heat to the 2023 MTV VMAs Stage with Performance of 'OKI DOKI' and 'Tá OK (Remix)'

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Karol G was also nominated for four Moon Person awards

<p>Mike Coppola/Getty</p> Karol G at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Mike Coppola/Getty

Karol G at the 2023 MTV VMAs

"Ay, DiOs Mío!," Karol G killed her 2023 MTV VMAs performance!

At Tuesday night's award show held at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, the Colombian star took the stage for the first time for a performance of her 2023 tracks "OKI DOKI" and "Tá OK (Remix)."

The singer turned the MTV stage into a video game universe, engulfing the backdrop in pink and green neon lights like that of an old school arcade game. Performing atop a heart-shaped platform, the global star tore through "OKI DOKI" while never missing a beat alongside her crew of male dancers. The performer wore a fuchsia bikini top and body suit with a plaid mini skirt and matching leg warmers, while her dancers sported faux fur jackets and pants in the same checkered print.

She also performed her verse off Brazilian artists DJ Dennis and Kevin O Chris' track "Tá OK," which she appeared on the remix of, along with Maluma, in early August.

In addition to making her VMAs debut, the "WATATI" singer was also nominated for four Moon Person awards: the coveted artist of the year award, show of the summer and both best Latin and best collaboration for her song with Shakira, "TQG."

<p>Jeff Kravitz/Getty</p> Karol G at the 2023 MTV VMAs

Jeff Kravitz/Getty

Karol G at the 2023 MTV VMAs

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Karol, 32, is fresh off the release of Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), which she dropped on Aug. 11 and features "OKI DOKI." She is also on the road for her Mañana Será Bonito Tour across North America.

Last month, she was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone and opened up about how she was able to be deeply vulnerable — despite having previously strayed from making more intimate songs — while creating Mañana Será Bonito, which was released in February.

The album, which detailed her public split from her ex-fiancé, Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA, in 2021, allowed Karol to process the failed engagement. But two weeks before it came out, she struggled to eat and sleep.

Related: MTV VMAs 2023: See the Complete Winners List

Check out PEOPLE's full MTV VMAs coverage to get the latest news on music’s big night.

"The two weeks before the album came out, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat,” she told the publication. “Being so exposed in my music was very psychologically heavy.… Imagine something like this happening, and you have to tell millions of people what happened to you."

While Mañana Será Bonito was steeped in heartache, the deluxe version of the album Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) is rooted in rebirth.

<p>Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images</p>

Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

Related: Shakira to Be Honored with Video Vanguard Award at 2023 MTV VMAs: 'She's a Trailblazer for Women'

“I go over the strange moments, the crazy moments, the difficult ones in my head,” Karol said. “The moments where I felt, ‘I’m dying and I won’t be able to deal with this.’ It’s what I had to go through to get to today.”

Karol however, maintains she's always drawn to making music about heartbreak.

"I swear to you, even in the moments when I’ve been super mega in love, I still make music about heartbreak,” she said. “You can put on the saddest songs in the world, and it’s as if you were killing yourself, but really, you’re healing.”

The 2023 MTV VMAs are airing live from The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Tuesday, Sept. 12 on CBS and BET, BET Her, VH1, Comedy Central, CMT, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon and Paramount Network. Viewers can also catch the show through an MTV.com live stream or on Paramount+.

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