Alex Warren has come a long way from his days in TikTok’s Hype House. The singer-songwriter has climbed up to the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with his hit, “Ordinary,” and now, it’s made its way to the iconic stage at the VMAs. It was an emotional moment for the artist, who brought out a marching band and gospel choir for the milestone performance, which was opened up with “Eternity.”

His wife and fellow Hype House alum Kouvr Annon got emotional in the crowd as he sang in front of a stunning sunset backdrop.

This marks Alex’s first appearance at MTV’s beloved awards show since he released the track and his debut album, You’ll Be Alright Kid. In May, he reflected on the success of his breakthrough single during an interview with Variety, saying, “I am so forever grateful for all the support and will never stop saying thank you. I wouldn’t have any of this if it weren’t for my fans, so I am so appreciative.”

The artist also shared that the song was inspired by his religious upbringing, adding, “I grew up Christian and listened to lots of gospel music with my family, so hints of worship music definitely make their way into my songs. I pull influences from a lot of different things in life to build out my music, and that’s definitely one of them.”

However, he admitted that his relationship with his faith has changed over the years after his dad tragically passed away when he was 9, and his mother kicked him out of their home at 18.

“I have had a rocky relationship with Christianity,” he told the outlet. “After losing my dad, I constantly questioned a God that would take him from me. After watching my mom drink herself to death, I truly questioned things again. But as time has gone on, I realized that the things I have endured led me to where I am today.”

He added, “I would have never met my wife and I wouldn’t have a career. I also realized that you have to have tragedy to appreciate the things in life, and that I can’t pick and choose those things. I love my life and also love my God and I thank my religion because I’m able to, in my opinion, keep my parents close to me through all of this.”