Taylor Swift received the largest award on the MTV Video Music Awards — the trophy for video of the yr for “Fortnight,” that includes Put up Malone.
In her speech, she talked about her “boyfriend, Travis,” thanking for him for being on set of the music video.
“Every little thing this man touches turns to happiness and enjoyable and magic,” she stated of NFL star Travis Kelce, earlier than shifting gears to the 2024 Presidential election and instructing her followers who’re over 18 to register to vote.
Swift did, nonetheless, keep away from discussing Kamala Harris’ presidential bid on stage. On Tuesday evening, Swift endorsed the vp, moments after Harris’ debate with former president Donald Trump ended.
Swift and Malone additionally took house the primary televised award of the VMAs for greatest collaboration, handed to them by Taste Flav and Olympian Jordan Chiles.
Swift began that speech by giving remembrance to everybody who misplaced their lives and family members throughout 9/11, 23 years in the past, earlier than discussing Malone.
“There’s a cause Put up Malone is everybody in music’s favourite individual to collaborate with,” she shifted her consideration to him. “It has taken perpetually for me to get him to cease calling me ma’am.”
Chappell Roan received the MTV Video Music Award for greatest new artist.
“I dedicate this to all of the drag artists who encourage me,” she stated in her speech, whereas sporting chain mail, studying from a written speech in her diary. “And I dedicate this to queer and trans individuals who run pop. … Thanks for listening.”
Ladies dominated the award present, no instance better than an imaginative, medieval set from Roan.
Drag queen Sasha Colby launched her with “your favourite drag queen’s favourite artist,” a reference to Roan’s now well-known Coachella efficiency, which in flip was impressed by Colby. Actual followers little question acquired a kick out of the hyper-referential tidbit.
Roan appeared in armor, taking pictures a lit crossbow at fort gates that stood behind her, burning them within the course of. Her dancers have been knights, battling one another in unimaginable choreography as she sang her queer pop hit, “Good Luck, Babe.”
The opposite voice of 2024 pop, Sabrina Carpenter, received the trophy for track of the yr for “Espresso.”
“That is actually particular,” she stated in her speech, devoted to her followers. “And thanks to that me-espresso.”
Earlier within the evening, she introduced her summery-pop to the award present, powering by her hit singles “Please Please Please,” “Style” and “Espresso” whereas dancing with a moon man and an alien.
Tyla received one of the best Afrobeats award.
Katy Perry obtained the Video Vanguard Award, performing an eight-song medley spanning her profession: “Roar,” “E.T.,” “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Lady,” “Firework,” and “Lifetimes.”
“I did that every one on the primary day of my interval, are you able to imagine it?” she joked after accepting the dignity from her accomplice, Orlando Bloom. “There are such a lot of issues that should align to have an extended and profitable profession as an artist. There aren’t any decade lengthy accidents.”
She additionally teased a brand new track, “I am His, He is Mine,” that includes Doechii, which samples the Crystal Waters traditional, “Gypsy Lady (La Da Dee La Da Da).”
Earlier recipients of the Video Vanguard Award embrace Shakira, Beyoncé, Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Missy Elliott.
A military of Slim Shady-lookalikes adopted Eminem as he kicked off the VMAs , launching right into a medley of his hits “Houdini” and “Anyone Save Me,” that includes a broadcast feed of Jelly Roll. (The track references Jelly Roll’s huge nation radio hit, “Save Me.”)
Megan Thee Stallion welcomed the gang as a first-time host Wednesday evening, who joked that the VMAs now stands for the “voluptuous Megan awards.” She later carried out.
Earlier within the night, Karol G took over, for a fiery efficiency of her hit, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” Rauw Alejandro introduced Puerto Rico to the stage, operating by “Touching The Sky,” “DILUIVO” and “Déjame Entrar.”
LL COOL J celebrated 40 years of Def Jam Information with Public Enemy’s Taste Flav and Chuck D.
Halsey took it to the suburbs for her new single, “Ego,” channeling storage bands. GloRilla’s “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF” introduced fashion.
Blackpink’s LISA, one of the best Okay-pop award winner, made her technique to the VMA stage for the primary time as a soloist, powering by two of her brand-new singles, “New Lady” and “Rockstar.” Shawn Mendes made along-awaited return, debuting a brand new John Mayer-esq. acoustic quantity, “No one Is aware of.”
Anitta carried out “Paradise,” “Alegria,” and “Savage Funk,” joined by DJ Khaled, Fats Joe and Tiago PZK and received the award for greatest Latin. Camilla Cabello carried out in a panopticon. Benson Boone appeared as stoked as ever to carry out his viral hit “Stunning Issues” on the VMAs stage. Lenny Kravitz proved rock is not lifeless with “Are You Gonna Go My Approach,” “Human” and at last “Fly,” during which he was joined by Quavo.
The fortieth VMAs have been held on the UBS Area on New York’s Lengthy Island.
The evening was stacked with celebrities and featured loads of Swift, who arrived on the award present sporting a inexperienced tartan corset with an identical practice and lengthy black leather-based gloves.
The pop star led the nominations with 12 — eight for her “Fortnight” music video, two social classes and nods in one of the best pop and artist of the yr classes. She’s adopted by her “Fortnight” collaborator Put up Malone, who has 11. He’s nominated together with Swift 10 instances and earned his eleventh nom for his nation hit “I Had Some Assist,” that includes Morgan Wallen.
She took house 9 VMAs final yr, bringing her complete to a formidable 23. That locations her simply behind Beyoncé, who has 30 and simply forward of Madonna, who has 20 awards. Woman Gaga, has 19.
Seven Swift wins would tie Beyoncé’s report, and if she wins eight, she may develop into probably the most awarded musician in VMA historical past.
All through the evening, MTV flashed again to history-making throughout the VMAs’ 40-year-run, together with Britney Spears’ albino python and Madonna’s efficiency of “Like A Virgin.”
The VMAs aired on MTV and simulcast on BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Emblem, MTV, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Community, Pop, TV Land, VH1, and in Spanish on Univision.