The VMA’s took over New York City today to celebrate an amazing year of music! Adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, the award show left behind their usual theatre setting, opting for a green screen stage which saw presenters and winners step into a Brooklyn inspired landscape. The majority of award winners who were not present at the ceremony sent in their acceptance speeches via video messages. Performances took place all over New York City with a few acts taking to the stage at Brooklyn’s Skyline Drive-In.
While many presenters were seen wearing masks backstage, Lady Gaga wore a mask, and a new phenomenal outfit, each time she accepted an award and throughout her medley performance. Gaga also became the first ever recipient of the Tricon Award.
Host Keke Palmer opened the award show with a tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, who passed away over the weekend after an ongoing battle with cancer. Travis Barker gave a tribute to the late Juice WRLD and Pop Smoke, with a larger in memoriam ….
Watch the performances and check out the full winners list below!
THE WEEKND
The celebration kicked off with a stellar performance from The Weeknd, performing his hit track Blinding Lights. The performance began much like the tracks music video, before the singer stepped out onto the viewing deck above Manhattan. Bringing his signature phenomenal vocals, the singer hit the stage from a top Edge at Hudson Yards Complete while a helicopter hovered above and fireworks exploded in the final chorus.
MILEY CYRUS
Miley came to slay! One of the most iconic VMA performers over the year, Miley Cyrus took to the VMA stage to performed her new hit song, Midnight Sun. The track has gone to number one all over the world, accompanied by a visually stunning music video. The performance begins with Cyrus in a monochromatic setting before the scene slowly becomes completely red, before transforming to blue. As Cyrus begins to make her way up a staircase, as a disco ball is lowered. As the last chorus begins, MILEY THEN SHE SAT ON THE GIANT DISCO BALL AND BROUGHT WRECKING BALL BACK TO LIFE! Miley really is the Queen of the VMA's.
MALUMA
Maluma performed his very own drive-in concert, taking to the stage in Brooklyn to perform his track Hawái. The tropical themed, colourful performance ended with the singer winning the award for Best Latin Video for his collaboration with J. Balvin, Qué Pena.
BTS
BTS performed live from South Korea, in front of a green screen showing the iconic New York scenes such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square and more. The iconic boy band performed their record breaking track Dynamite. Looking dapper as ever, the energetic performance marked the bands first performance at the VMA’s.
LADY GAGA WITH ARIANA GRANDE
Lady Gaga’s performance gave a nod to the 1999 VMA’s, having the award show playing on a TV set within the world of Chromatica she was performing. Opening with Chromatica II, Gaga performed 911 followed by her hit single with Ariana Grande, Rain On Me. Joined on stage by Grande, the duo recreated scenes from track music video with Grande giving an out of this world vocal performance. Both singers wore masks throughout the performance, the only performers to do so. The pair exited the stage together with Gaga quickly returning to give a soulful acoustic piano version of Stupid Love before transitioning into the dance version after a speech on self love.
DOJA CAT
Doja Cat’s other worldly debut performance on the VMA’s gave us Little Mermaid vibes! The singer performed a medley of her tracks including Say So and Like That. Later in the ceremony, the singer took home the Moon Man for Push Best New Artist:
CNCO
Latin American boy band, CNCO took to the Brooklyn Skyline Drive-In to premiere their new song Beso. The four-time VMA nominees gave a thrilling performance, which saw them climb on top some of the drive-in cars, showcasing their well choreographed dance moves.
DABABY
Rapper, singer and songwriter DaBaby performed a medley of his tracks PEEPHOLE, Blind and Rockstar.
BLACK EYED PEAS
The Black Eyed Peas closed the show with their new track VIDA LOCA, transitioning into their classic hit, I Gotta Feeling. The performance featured rapper Tyga and a sky-sized projection of Nicky Jam.
WINNERS LIST
Video Of The Year: The Weeknd - Blinding Light
Song Of The Year: Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande - Rain On Me
Artist Of The Year: Lady Gaga
Push Best New Artist: Doja Cat
Best Alternative: Machine Gun Kelly - Bloody Valentine
Best Group: BTS
Best K-POP: BTS - On
Song Of The Summer: Blackpink - How You Like That
Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande - Rain On Me
Best Direction: Taylor Swift - The Man!!!!!!
Best Latin Video: Maluma Feat. J. Balvin - Qué Pena
Best Music Video From Home: Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber - Stuck With U
Best Pop: BTS - On
Best R&B: The Weeknd - Blinding Light
Video For Good: H.E.R. - I Can’t Breathe
Tricon Award Recipient: Lady Gaga
Best Hip-Hop: Megan Thee Stallion - Savage
Best Chorepgraphy: BTS - On
Best Visual Effects: Dua lipa - Physical
Best Cinematography: Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande - Rain On Me
Best Rock: Coldplay - Orphans
Best Art Direction: Miley Cyrus - Mothers Daughter
Best Editing: Miley Cyrus - Mothers Daughter
Best Quarantine Performance: CNCO - MTV Unplugged At Home
Watch all the pre-show performances below!
MACHINE GUN KELLY, TRAVIS BARKER AND BLACKBEAR
LEWIS CAPALDI
CHLOE X HALLE
TATE MCRAE