Katy Perry provided a fireworks effect on the VMA stage.

The 39-year-old singer, who accepted the Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV VMAs on Wednesday, September 11, wowed the crowd at New York’s UBS Arena with her performances of “Dark Horse,” “ET,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Girl,” “Firework” and “Lifetimes.”

Doechii was also on hand to join the guest of honor on stage for the live debut of their collaboration “I’m His, He’s Mine,” which is set for release on Friday, September 13 and will appear on Perry’s upcoming album. 143.

To begin her set, Perry entered the arena flying above the stage and amid a laser show. The visuals varied throughout the nearly 10-minute performance, including floating butterflies and Perry herself, with butterfly wings.

Watch all of PEOPLE’s MTV VMAs coverage here.

When accepting the Video Vanguard Award, Perry said she delivered her performance under extreme circumstances.

“I did all that on the first day of my period and I couldn’t believe it,” she told the audience, before expressing gratitude to MTV for believing in her “weirdness” from the beginning.

“There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist,” Perry said. “There are no accidents that last decades. My team, who has been with me for over 20 years, is in charge of management, and my label, Capitol Records, trust me. It takes a village of strong people, a lot of healthy debate, and a lot of group conversations.”

After paying tribute to her parents, with whom she didn’t always “see eye to eye,” she also thanked “MySpace, Warped Tour and all the bygone places where I found a voice, an identity and a community so early.”

Perry added: “Thank you to the friends who were there when my Jetta was impounded, my KatyCats who have supported me my entire life, and the LGBTQ community who I know I wouldn’t be here without.”

During her speech, Perry also gave a special shout-out to her fiancé Orlando Bloom for keeping her “grounded” and “doing the dishes,” referencing her recent interview on Call her daddy in which she said that knowing her husband was taking on that task excited her. She also paid tribute to her daughter, Daisy Dove.

The award also marked her first return to the VMA stage since 2017, when she hosted and performed at the star-studded evening.

Watch all of PEOPLE’s MTV VMAs coverage here.

Previous Video Vanguard Award winners include Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. Shakira took home the special Moon Person last year.

Perry won her first VMA in 2011, taking home three Moon Persons for Best Visual Effects and Best Collaboration (“ET” with Kanye West) and Video of the Year (“Firework”). She also took home a Moon Person in 2012 for Best Art Direction (“Wide Awake”) and in 2014 for Best Female Video (“Dark Horse” (with Juicy J).

Although she will no longer be performing in this year’s Moon Person show alongside the Video Vanguard, it will undoubtedly be an evening to remember for Perry.

“Katy is a musical giant and a true pop culture icon,” Bruce Gillmer, president of music, musical talent, programming and events at Paramount and chief content officer for music at Paramount+, said in a statement in August when he announced that Perry would receive the Video Vanguard.

“With her groundbreaking creative vision, she has become a global phenomenon, conquering the world’s biggest stages,” he continued. Katy’s prowess will be on full display LIVE at the VMAs with a can’t-miss, career-spanning performance celebrating her biggest moments and chart-topping hits.”

This award comes just days before Perry’s album 143 (her first released in four years). The album’s lead single, “Woman’s World,” was released on July 11.

The 2024 MTV VMAs air September 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, live from UBS Arena in New York City.