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Returning to the physical stage since 2019, this year, the MTV VMAs were an auspicious occasion featuring some of the world's most exciting talent. Here's a look at what you might have missed.
As far as awards ceremonies go, the MTV Video Music Awards are a more playful affair. Between the electrifying energy, the playful and vibrant outfits and the high-powered performances, the MTV VMAs always give us some of international television’s most memorable moments.
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This year, the VMAs saw rapper Jack Harlow, hip-hop royalty Nicki Minaj and a blast from the past with 90s rapper LL Cool J, as the final host, take the stage to entertain their audiences.
Here are some highlights of the evening:
Monumental occasion
Many joys were taken away from us when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. We were also confined in our homes and television screens, as in-person contact became a forbidden practice. Like most awards shows, the MTV VMAs adopted digital means for their awards shows.
Back in person for the first time since 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, this year was definitely one for the books. Singer Fergie made a glamourous return to stage in an opening number with Harlow, who performed his hit single First Class, which sampled Fergie’s 2006 hit Glamorous.
The excitement filled the air, and audiences and artists alike were entertained.
Johnny Depp steps out of the shadows
After winning a defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, Johnny Depp finally made an appearance at the MTV VMAs.
Needless to say, this was a moment many of us were hoping would never come, as truths have begun circulating on the internet about the abuse Depp inflicted on Heard over the course of their marriage.
Depp made a cringe return, making a questionable appearance as the famous VMA Moonman, which featured a list of very corny one-liners.
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Though Depp wasn’t there in person, he hovered above the stage with his face plastered on the Moonman in a clear effort to clear his name at the beginning of the show, saying: “And you know what? I needed the work.”
Yeah buddy, we could definitely tell.
Bad Bunny gets frisky
Bad Bunny followed in the footsteps of fellow musician and openly gay artist Lil Nas X, who won the award for Best Collaboration for his hit song Industry Baby at this year's VMA’s.
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It was only a year ago that the rapper took to the BET Awards stage to share a passionate kiss with one of his male dancers during his performance.
This year at a remote location part of the MTV VMAs, which was held at the Yankee Stadium, Bad Bunny upped the ante by kissing one of his male and women dancers during his performance of Tití Me Preguntó. This earned him massive street credit among his fans who praised the musician for being so open.
Nicki Minaj shuts the house down
There’s never a stage too big for the powerhouse, Nicki Minaj. This year at the MTV VMAs, she shut the house down with a killer medley performance featuring some of her most risky songs, such as Roman's Revenge, Anaconda and Monster, in honour of her latest release Super Freaky Girl.
As if making Spotify history this year for her song Super Freaky Girl, which became Spotify’s largest solo debut for a woman artist's rap song, wasn't enough, she ended the night with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift - All Too Well
Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
Song of The Year: Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Best New Artist: Dove Cameron
Push Performance of the Year: December 2021: Seventeen- Rock With You
Best Collaboration: Lil Nas X featuring Jack Harlow – Industry Baby
Best Pop: Harry Styles - As it Was
Best Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby - Do We Have A Problem?
Best Rock: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Black Summer
Best Alternative: Måneskin - I Wanna be your Slave
Best Latin: Anitta - Envolver
Best R&B: The Weeknd - Out of Time
Best K-Pop: LISA - Lalisa
Video for Good: Lizzo - About Damn Time
Best Metaverse Performance: BLACKPINK The Virtual | PUBG
Best Longform Video: Taylor Swift -- "All Too Well" (10 Minute Version)
Best Cinematography: Harry Styles - As It Was
Best Direction: Taylor Swift - All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Best Art Direction: Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – Industry Baby
Best VFX: Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow – Industry Baby
Best Choreography: Doja Cat - Woman
Best Editing: ROSALÍA - Saoko
Group of the Year: BTS
Song of the Summer: Jack Harlow - First Class
Album of the Year: Harry Styles - Harry's House
