Sienna Spiro Makes VMAs Debut With 'Great Expectation'

Sienna Spiro performed "Great Expectation" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, marking her first appearance at the ceremony.

The English singer-songwriter opened the set alone, standing in a metallic dress under a single spotlight on a stage-side replica of a vinyl record spinning on a turntable. The lights then lifted to reveal the full set. Like fellow Brit Raye, who performed earlier in the night, Spiro was joined onstage by a large band featuring horn and string sections, plus backing vocalists who created a lush cushion around her vocal performance.

The performance caps a breakout run for the 20-something Londoner. Spiro is one of seven nominees for Best New Artist at this year's VMAs, competing against Bella Kay, Cortis, Magnus Ferrell, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, and Stella Lefty.

Spiro first drew attention with viral videos of cover songs and originals on TikTok. A string of singles followed, including her 2024 breakthrough "Maybe," which appeared on her debut EP, Sink Now, Swim Later.

In July, Spiro released her debut full-length album, Visitor. The record peaked at Number Two on the U.K. albums chart and reached Number Nine on the Billboard 200. The LP produced several major singles, including "You Stole the Show," "Die on This Hill," "The Visitor," and "Great Expectation," which Spiro recently performed on The Tonight Show. She also scored a minor hit this summer with "Material Lover," a track from The Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack.

The VMAs slot gives Spiro her widest U.S. television exposure yet, weeks before her biggest American touring run. She performs next at the Austin City Limits Festival, which runs across two weekends, Oct. 2–4 and Oct. 9–11. She then launches a North American tour Oct. 13 in Nashville, with dates scheduled through Nov. 12, culminating in Los Angeles.