Shakira Crowdsurfs Her Way to 2023 VMAs Video Vanguard Award

The Colombian singer stole the show with a compilation of her songs, including "She Wolf" and "Hips Don’t Lie"

Shakira crowdsurfed her way to VMA icon status.

During Tuesday’s MTV Video Music Awards, the Colombian singer, 46, received the coveted video vanguard award, which recognizes an artist’s lifetime achievement.

The superstar's "Hips Don’t Lie" collaborator Wyclef Jean presented her with the honorary Moon Person trophy, calling her a "musical genius" as the crowd chanted her name.

"Thank you MTV. Thank you for being such a big part of my career since I was only 18 years old," she began her speech.

The “She Wolf” singer went on to thank several people who "played a key role in my visual history," as well as her label and her parents.

Related: Shakira Brings Her Bombshell Curves to the 2023 VMAs in Sexy Backless Chainmail Gown

She also used the opportunity to thank her two children, Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, who accompanied her to the ceremony.

"Thank you so much for cheering me up and for making me feel that mama can do it all," she told her kids, who she shares with ex Gerard Piqué, as they watched her from the audience.

Finally, the performer thanked her fans.

"And, especially, I want to share this award with my fans, who always, always support me through thick and thin," she said. "Thank you so much for being my army and for helping me fight all my battles."

The singer continued her speech in Spanish, dedicating the award to her supporters, with a special shoutout to her Latin American fans.

"Lo quiero muchísimo," she finished.

Related: The Wildest MTV VMAs Moments Ever

Prior to accepting the award, the Grammy winner donned a sparkly, nude-colored ensemble to showcase some of her signature dance moves through a selection of fan-favorite songs.

The high-energy set, which started in a large box onstage and finished in the crowd, included “She Wolf,” "Te Felicito," "Objection (Tango)," "Whenever, Wherever" and "Hips Don’t Lie," — and ended with a bang with "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53."

Throughout the career-spanning set, Shakira had the entire crowd — including stars like Lil Nas X, Taylor Swift and Måneskin — on their feet dancing along with her and even played a guitar solo during "Objection (Tango)."

During the final song, "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53," the honoree went all out, bringing people on stage to dance with her and taking a break from ruling the stage to crowdsurf through the audience.

Related: Shakira's Best MTV VMAs Moments Through the Years

"I tried to synthesize my entire career in 10 minutes," the singer said of the electric performance during MTV's pre-show, adding that she thinks it is "pretty dynamic."

Shakira joins the ranks of past video vanguard recipients, including the likes of her Super Bowl Halftime Show partner Jennifer Lopez, as well as Beyoncé, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Missy Elliott and Rihanna. Last year, Nicki Minaj received the honor.

She was also nominated in three other categories at this year’s VMAs: artist of the year, best collaboration for "TQG" with Karol G and best Latin for both "TQG" and "Acróstico."

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The Queen of Latin Music has won a total of four Moon Person trophies throughout her career. She took home her first VMA the first year she was nominated for international viewer's choice (Latin America North) for "Ojos Así.” In 2002, she won in the same category for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte,” and “Hips Don’t Lie” secured the Moon Person for best choreography in 2006. Most recently in 2007, the singer and Beyoncé won most earthshattering collaboration for their team-up “Beautiful Liar.”

“Shakira is a true global force who continues to inspire & influence the masses with her unique, musical prowess," Bruce Gilmer, Paramount's president of music, music talent, programming and events and Paramount+'s chief content officer for music said in a statement. "She's a trailblazer for women around the world & one of the first artists to lead the globalization of Latin music.”

Gilmer continued, "Her massive impact across the musical landscape will be long lasting as she continues to create and entertain at the highest level.”

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

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When Shakira took the stage Tuesday night, it marked a return to the VMAs for the first time in 17 years; she last performed “Hips Don’t Lie” with Wyclef Jean at the 2006 VMAs.

Most recently, the Latin star released "Copa Vacía" with fellow Colombian talent Manuel Turizo in June, and her latest solo single “Acróstico” arrived in May. Her reggaeton collaboration with rising Colombian singer Karol G dropped earlier this year and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200.

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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