Over time, awards exhibits have misplaced viewers’ curiosity — however, surprisingly, the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards have been really price watching.
Listed here are the highest moments from Wednesday evening’s occasion, which aired dwell from UBS Enviornment in Belmont Park, New York
PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT
Benson Boone’s signature efficiency flips have been so spectacular we have to ship him to the 2028 Olympics. If he doesn’t be a part of the gymnastics staff, he can at the very least sing on the world occasion.
The rising star had the efficiency of the evening — he kicked off “Stunning Issues” on piano and labored the stage like a seasoned professional in a glittery navy quantity. His screeching vocals have been top-notch and he had viewers members, together with Sabrina Carpenter, singing alongside to the pop-rock TikTok hit, He additionally received finest various.
The honorable point out efficiency goes to fellow newcomer Teddy Swims. Although he didn’t get an everyday efficiency slot, he confirmed up 3 times briefly performances that impressed every time.
Sabrina Carpenter acting on the VMAs stage.
STRONG AND STEAMY AS ESPRESSO
Carpenter had the entire viewers on the VMAs singing alongside to her bops, proving why she’s this 12 months’s princess of pop. Her efficiency was whimsical, attractive and enjoyable — and aliens and astronauts have been concerned.
She started within the air on a swing whereas singing a mushy model of “Please Please Please.” That was adopted by dancers dressed as an alien and astronaut performing alongside her throughout “Style.” She ended along with her breakthrough hit “Espresso” and we’re nonetheless thirsty for extra.
Taylor Swift
Mike Coppola/Getty Photos for MTV
TAYLOR IS THE “T” IN MTV
We’ve misplaced rely of what number of VMAs Swift has received all through her profession — and the pop star cleaned home Wednesday, successful seven Moonperson honors, together with video of the 12 months for “Fortnight.”
Swift, who directed the clip, stated although the video could appear unhappy she drastically loved filming it. After ending a take, she stated she “would at all times hear somebody cheering…from throughout the studio the place we have been taking pictures it, and that one individual was my boyfriend, Travis.”
“Every part this man touches turns to happiness and enjoyable and magic, so I wanna thank him for including that to our shoot as a result of I’ll at all times do not forget that,” she continued.
A day after endorsing Kamala Harris, Swift additionally thanked her followers for voting for “Fortnight” for the evening’s high prize, after which added: “And if you’re over 18 please register to vote for one thing else that’s crucial.”
Swift additionally used her first speech of the evening — when she received finest collaboration with Publish Malone — to honor the victims of 9/11. “Waking up this morning in New York on September eleventh, I’ve simply been desirous about what occurred 23 years in the past — everybody who misplaced a beloved one and everybody that we misplaced. And that’s the most necessary factor about right this moment. And all the pieces that occurs tonight falls behind that,” she stated.
Chappell Roan on the 2024 MTV VMAs.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photos
SPEECH OF THE NIGHT
Chappell Roan was loud and proud on the VMAs, utilizing her finest new artist speech to encourage the LGBTQ neighborhood.
“I dedicate this to all of the drag artists who encourage me. And I dedicate this to queer and trans those that gasoline pop throughout, to the gays who dedicate my songs to somebody they love or hate,” stated Roan, who carried out her hit “Good Luck, Babe!” earlier within the present.
“Thanks to the people who find themselves followers, who hearken to me, who hear me after I share my pleasure and my fears. Thanks for listening. For all of the queer children within the Midwest watching proper now, I see you, I perceive you, as a result of I’m considered one of you. And don’t ever let anybody inform you that you would be able to’t be precisely who you need to be.”
Tyla, who received finest Afrobeats for “Water,” additionally shared sensible phrases onstage — letting the general public know that whereas Afrobeats is exploding, African artists shouldn’t be boxed into one style.
“That is so particular but additionally bittersweet as a result of I do know there’s an inclination to group all African artists beneath Afrobeats,” she stated.
“Though Afrobeats has run issues and has opened so many doorways for us, African music is so various. It’s extra than simply Afrobeats,” she stated earlier than shouting out African stars like Tems, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Rema, Wizkid and Lojay.
Katy Perry performing throughout the 2024 MTV VMAs.
Manny Carabel/Getty Photos for MTV
FIREWORK, INDEED
Katy Perry gave a Tremendous Bowl halftime show-like efficiency as she accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
The singer, who launched her debut album in 2008, floated within the air — even strolling over her dancers in a second that was jaw-dropping. It regarded like magic.
She carried out a slew of her hits, together with “California Gurls,” “Darkish Horse,” “E.T.,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Lady” and “Firework,” in addition to materials from her upcoming album, 143.
Her beau Orlando Bloom was available to current her with the consideration, they usually kissed onstage after her efficiency. “I did that every one on my first day of my interval, too. Are you able to consider it?” Perry stated after performing her 10-song medley. “Thanks a lot to MTV for believing in my weirdness from day one and for serving to artists prolong their worlds past a music.”
“There are such a lot of issues that must align to have an extended and profitable profession as an artist. There are not any decade-long accidents,” Perry added, pausing afterward to let the gang, and viewers at dwelling, absorb her phrases.
Megan Thee Stallion
Kevin Mazur/Getty Photos for MTV
THEE TRIPLE THREAT
MTV would possibly need to maintain Megan Thee Stallion on velocity dial for the 2025 VMAs.
The rapper not solely hosted the present, she gave a stirring efficiency and likewise received finest artwork path for “BOA.”
She kicked off the present in a VMA-themed bodysuit because the viewers chanted her identify. “I’m repping Workforce VMA” — calling it the Voluptuous Megan Award.
“I deserve a gold medal for being a nasty bitch,” she stated to laughs.
She went on to decorate as Britney Spears throughout the 2001 VMAs when she carried out with an albino Burmese python wrapped behind her. “Come get this snake,” she stated. “I attempted to carry it down for Britney.”
And through her personal efficiency, she labored the UBS Enviornment with ease, transferring across the venue as she rapped hits like “Hiss” and “Mamushi,” even bringing out Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba.
She’s certainly a star, star, star, star.
