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[Photo via @sabrinacarpenter/Instagram, MikeGz/Pexels, Jennifer Pallian/Unsplash]
Lifestyle

Here’s What I’d Feed The Artist Of The Year VMAs Nominees

Sophia Westfall

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.

With the annual MTV Video Music Awards kicking off tonight at 8 pm ET/PT, it’s only fair to take a deep dive into this year’s list of nominees. The music world is currently buzzing with excitement, and fans are too. Will Sabrina Carpenter take home her first award? Or will Taylor Swift wine more trophies to add to her shelf? Even though we’re thrilled to find out the 2024 winners, let’s be honest, it’s not about the awards. It’s about dinner!

Here’s a delicious compilation of everything I would serve to each Artist of the Year nominee for the 2024 VMAs. Let’s get cooking!

Sabrina Carpenter: Strawberry Pancakes And Espresso

In August 2024, Sabrina Carpenter released her newest album, Short ‘n Sweet. While the rest of the world can dream that the title is about her, we know what it’s really about… pancakes. But not just any pancakes—a short stack of warm, fluffy buttermilk flapjacks, topped with bright red strawberries, fresh, pillowy whipped cream, and maple syrup. Featuring a little cup of hot espresso and a dash of sweet cream, Carpenter will enjoy every taste. See what I did there? Please please please don’t be mad at the puns.

Eminem: Slim Jim And Diet Coke

Eminem’s newest album The Death of Slim Shady is what helped him secure his seat at the VMAs this year. But there’s controversy in paradise. For years, Eminem has had beef with other singers and rappers. Yet time and time again, he proves not to care and instead eats up the attention. What better way to signify this than a beef stick? And what’s better with a Slim Jim than a Diet Coke? It’s cold and refreshing and perfectly washes down the greasy snack. 

Taylor Swift: Grilled Cheese And Vanilla Milkshake

Simple, tasty, and reliable. Taylor Swift has been in the music industry since she was just 14 years old. Twenty years and 23 VMAs later, Swift has been a consistent star. Whether you’re a hardcore Swiftie or a casual enjoyer, everyone has at least one favorite Taylor Swift song. The same goes for grilled cheese and vanilla shakes. You don’t have to love them, but everyone likes them from time to time. Plus, it’s cheese and bread with a side of ice cream. Who doesn’t want that?

Bad Bunny: Spicy Miso Ramen And Edamame

This isn’t Bad Bunny’s first time at the VMAs. With two awards already secured, will tonight mark his third or even fourth time winning? Maybe some lucky miso ramen and a side of edamame will help bring an award home. But it can’t be any old ordinary miso ramen. It’s got to be spicy. Hot and fiery, just like his new music album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.

SZA: Homemade Lasagna And Ginger Ale

SZA is best known for her diverse musical talents and her show-stopping music video performances. But when it comes to food, she likes it warm and homemade. And what screams homemade more than lasagna? SZA has actually been asked what her favorite food is multiple times in interviews and her answer has stayed the same throughout all these years: lasagna soup. So let’s mix it up a little bit for her without straying too far from the beloved, homemade dish. And if you’re anything like me and my Italian family, a pasta dinner isn’t complete without a little ginger ale. Tingly on the tongue and soft on the stomach, it’s the perfect refresher when it comes to such a filling meal. 

Ariana Grande: English Tea And Cookies

Ariana Grande has had a big year. Not only did she release her seventh studio album Eternal Sunshine, she is also starring in the movie Wicked, which heads to theaters in November. Starring as the beloved good witch, Glinda, Grande will need to tap into her sweet side. That’s why I’ve prepared her a full English tea party perfect for the film’s release. Trays stacked in frosted cakes, buttery strudel, and cream-filled pastries with tea pots full of lavender tea. Don’t forget the sugar!

Sophia Westfall

Rutgers '25

Sophia Westfall is the editorial director at Spoon University at the Rutgers New Brunswick chapter. She hosts weekly meetings, oversees the editorial board, as well as edits and approves each post produced by the chapter.

Outside her role at Spoon University, Sophia is studying English and Digital Studies with a minor in Writing. Sophia works as the senior editor for The Undergraduate Review at Rutgers, where she manages submissions, interviews, marketing, and the overall editorial process of the publication. She is a senior writing consultant for The Writing and Design Lab at Rutgers, where she teaches writing technique in both classroom and individual settings. Sophia is the founder of The Secret Society of Poetry, an online literary magazine dedicated to publishing young and emerging voices in an otherwise crowded and competitive community. Additionally, she works for Proof, Rutgers new center for printing, where she researches historical printing techniques and teaches sustainable alternatives to mass printing. When Sophia is not at school, she works as a specialist at Apple where she leads sales and visual standards. Aside from her education and work, she is the two-time award winner for The Young Writers short story contest, has had her research on the evolution and historical hypocrisy of grammar showcased at The Celebration of Undergraduate Research, and has had her poetry featured at the Annual New York Poetry Society Festival. Her short story, The Long Lost Legacy, has been published on Dreame and her research on the sexual suppression of ancient Roman women in relation to immaculate conception is currently being published by Rutgers. Lastly, she is the recipient of The Patricia Mc-Cracken Kelly Fund award as well as The Experiential Learning Fund.

Sophia enjoys day trips to gardens and coffee shops and antique book stores. She loves to collect unique vintage items, visit museums, and dive into ancient Roman history in her free time. She especially loves creative writing, and is currently working on the first book in her upcoming book series.