Here’s Everything You Missed At The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards
Music’s biggest night happened and it was filled with hilarious moments, fiery performances, and heartfelt speeches. Let’s break down the biggest moments from the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards!
Eminem Opens Show With Callback To His 2000 Performance
Guess who’s back? Eminem is!
Eminem opened the award show with a mash up of his hit song “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me” as he brought out a group of people dressed just like him with the bleach blonde buzzcut. This stunt was a callback to his 2000 VMAs performance of “The Real Slim Shady.”
Sabrina Carpenter Kisses An Alien
Sabrina Carpenter took the Moonperson theme to another level with her VMAs performance.
After descending to the ground from a diamond shaped platform, the singer performed a medley of “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and “Espresso” on the main stage accompanied by an astronaut and blue alien. As she pulled away the astronaut, Carpenter laid a couple kisses on the alien and fans are going wild!
Flavor Flav Gives Jordan Chiles A Clock Medal
We’re still running off Olympic feels and so is Flavor Flav!
Presenting the first award of the night, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and Flav shared a sentimental moment as he gave Chiles a bedazzled clock amidst the news of her bronze title being stripped away.
All The Big Winners
And the VMA goes to…..
As the most nominated artist this year, Taylor Swift took seven out of 12 awards, including Song Of The Summer, Best Collaboration with Post Malone, Artist Of The Year, and Video Of The Year! She officially broke Beyoncé’s record and is now the most awarded artist in VMAs herstory.
More historic wins go to Tyla for becoming the first South African artist to win a VMA for Best Afrobeats and LISA for being the only solo artist to win Best K-Pop… twice!
The pop girlies also came out on top with Sabrina Carpenter winning her first VMA for Song Of The Year for “Espresso” and Chappell Roan winning Best New Artist and giving a heartfelt speech dedicated to queer and trans youth in the midwest.
Did Someone Say Britney Spears?
Though Britney Spears did not make an appearance at the VMAs, she was heavily referenced and mentioned by several artists throughout the night.
Pop star Tate McRae paid homage to Spears’ 2001 look with a black sheer lace minidress. Similarly, Addison Rae drew inspiration from Spears and Madonna in her two-piece set. Additionally, host Megan Thee Stallion recreated the Spears’ iconic “I’m A Slave 4 U” performance look including the yellow snake. Finally, Sabrina Carpenter used a snippet of “Oops… I Did It Again” during her performance and the previously mentioned alien kiss is reminiscent of the 2003 Spears and Madonna kiss.
French Montana Announces Paramount+ Documentary
During the pre-show, French Montana revealed a surprise for all his fans!
The artist announced that his documentary For Khadija will be coming to Paramount+ soon. The documentary made its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival and highlights his rise to fame alongside the battles his mother had to face.
Shawn Mendes Premieres New Song
A smoky candle lit stage and a new song? Shawn Mendes treated fans last night!
Mendes told fans prior that he’d debut “Nobody Knows” off his upcoming album Shawn. “I’m absolutely BEAMING to play this song live,” the artist stated on Instagram. Sharing the stage with drummer Mike Sabath and guitarist Eddie Benjamin for the first time, they put on a soulful performance that had everyone tuned in. Shortly after his performance, the artist dropped the song on all streaming platforms at midnight.
Katy Perry Honored With Video Vanguard Award By Husband Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom showed support for his wife Katy Perry by honoring her with the coveted Video Vanguard Award!
Perry kicked off her eight song medley with classic hits such as "Dark Horse," “E.T.," “I Kissed A Girl,” “Teenage Dream,” "California Gurls,” and "Firework.” She also debuted her upcoming song "I’m His, He’s Mine" with doechii and ended with newest single “Lifetimes.”
As she accepted the award, Perry took a moment to express her gratitude and tell others to stay true to oneself. “One of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is because I learned how to block out all of the noise, that every single artist in this industry has to constantly fight against, especially women,” she said. “I just want to say with my whole heart, do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art. Turn off social media, safeguard your mental health. Pause. Touch grass. And do what you were born to do, just like I was born to do this.”
LISA, Rauw Alejandro, Benson Boone, and Chappell Roan Make Their Debut Performances
This year’s VMAs marked a lot of first time nominees and performances, specifically Lisa, Rauw Alejandro, Benson Boone, and Chappell Roan.
Making her first debut as a solo artist, LISA lit up the stage with her songs “New Woman” and “Rockstar” with pyrotechnic visuals and stellar choreography. Meanwhile, Alejandro spread his Puerto Rican pride with traditional dancers and bongos while performing his biggest songs "Touching the Sky," "Diluvio," and "Déjame Entrar."
Benson Boone made an impressive debut hitting high notes and flipped off of pianos while performing his hit “Beautiful Things,” while Roan kept her red carpet medieval theme going. She channeled Joan of Arc during her debut performance of “Good Luck, Babe.” The stage featured backup castle guard dancers, Roan shooting an arrow onto the castle, swords, and other medieval imagery. We simply can’t get enough of these performances!
