Highlights from the 40th Edition of the MTV Video Music Awards
The leading ladies of the music scene ruled the night, with Taylor Swift bringing back her cheerful award show dance moves, Chappell Roan making her intense VMA debut, Sabrina Carpenter seeming to lock lips with an extraterrestrial, and Katy Perry flying through the air while performing her top hits.
Some men were also in the mix, such as Eminem starting the show with "Houdini" and "Somebody Save Me," and Lenny Kravitz performing his classic hit "Fly Away" in his signature black leather and exposed shirt, among other tracks.
The event was hosted by Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion, and there were plenty of memorable moments. Here are a few highlights:
Taylor Swift's September 11 tribute and call to action
Taylor Swift paid tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks of 2001 while accepting her first award of the night.
"I wanted to say this morning, August 11th in New York, I've been thinking about what happened 23 years ago, everyone who lost a loved one," she said. "Everyone we lost, and that's the most important thing about today. And everything that happens tonight falls behind that."
Swift and Post Malone won best collaboration for their hit song "Fortnight," which is on Swift's album "The Tortured Poets Department." They also took home the final award of the night for video of the year, which Swift directed.
She thanked her boyfriend Travis Kelce for his support while filming the project.
"Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic," she said.
Swift concluded her speech by thanking her fans for voting for her and encouraging her supporters over 18 to "please register to vote for something else that's very important," the 2024 presidential election. Swift's message to young voters comes after she endorsed Kamala Harris' presidential run on Tuesday.
Sabrina Carpenter's alien encounter
Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter kissed an alien on stage during her highly anticipated performance. (Yes, you heard that right. It wasn't a real alien.) Carpenter performed a mix of "Espresso" and "Please Please Please," among other songs, and was accompanied by backup dancers dressed as Moon People in reference to the VMA trophies.
Carpenter's performance was introduced by pop legend Cyndi Lauper, who praised Carpenter for her ability to have fun and dominate the music scene this year.
"This performer definitely knows how to have some fun, right?" Lauper said, referencing her hit song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."
Orlando Bloom supports Katy Perry
Katy Perry's husband, actor Orlando Bloom, introduced Perry and recognized her as the recipient of the VMA Video Vanguard Award. Bloom praised Perry for bringing joy and laughter to generations of people from around the world.
Perry performed a medley of her hits, including "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream" and "Firework," and ended her set with her new song "Lifetimes." She thanked Bloom, their daughter Daisy, her team, and her supporters, known as Katycats, for "standing by me for a lifetime."
Chappell Roan's fiery display
Chappell Roan put on a show-stopping performance, setting the stage on fire with a flaming arrow from her crossbow while performing her hit song "Good Luck, Babe!"
Roan's performance was a nod to her themed aesthetic, as she channeled the warrior energy of patron saint Joan of Arc while dressed in medieval armor.
Roan later won the award for best new artist on the heels of her hit debut album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess." In her speech, Roan spoke to "all the queer kids in the midwest watching right now."
"I see you, I understand you, because I am one of you," she said. "And don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't be exactly who you want to be."
Carson Daly says hello to your mom
Carson Daly, who hosted MTV's "Total Request Live" in New York City between 1998 and 2003, took a moment to introduce himself before presenting the award for best K-Pop to Lisa for her song "Rockstar."
"For those of you who are too young to know who I am, I was the host of a show on MTV called Total Request Live or TRL," Daly said. "It was the best, best show. Kids going crazy in Times Square and every day after school, I was with your mother. So please, tell her I said hi."
The event was filled with various forms of entertainment, with Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion providing hilarious and engaging banter throughout the night.
Post-performance, fans and viewers alike were buzzing about Sabrina Carpenter's intergalactic kiss during her energetic performance, further solidifying her position in the entertainment world.
