Ice Spice has collaborated with stars like Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift

Ice Spice is, indeed, the fan-voted people’s princess!

On Tuesday night, the 23-year-old rapper won the best new artist title at the 2023 MTV VMAs at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where she grew emotional and teared up as she accepted the award.

“Thank you so much. Thank you MTV. Oh my God, this is so cool,” the “In Ha Mood” rapper said as the crowd roared, before she thanked her fervent fanbase. “I just want to thank my Munchkins. I love you guys so much.”

She added, “I want to thank my manager James. I want to thank my producer Riot, for making the best music with me. Shout out to all the other nominees in this category. I want to thank my label 10K and Capitol for always supporting me. And of course God. Without God none of this would be possible.”

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She concluded her speech by paying tribute to her hometown: “Shout out the Bronx. Period!”

Ice Spice, whose real name is Isis Naija Gaston, rose to fame with her song “Munch (Feelin’ U),” which went viral on TikTok. She also gained popularity through her collaborations with PinkPantheress on “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2”; with Nicki Minaj on “Princess Diana” and “Barbie Girl”; and with Taylor Swift on a “Karma” remix.

In January, Ice Spice released her EP Like…? , which included “Gangsta Boo” featuring Lil TJay, the collab that earned the nascent rapper her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In March, Ice Spice was featured in a cover story for DAZED, in which she opened up about staying true to her roots.

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“I see the Bronx still being very authentic, and true to its core, no matter what,” she said of her New York City hometown. “I want every Bronx native to become successful and follow their dreams and them come true. I want that for all my Bronx people, for real.”

“I have my people in my corner, super supportive,” she added. “I only keep supportive people around me, motivated people around me.”

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+.