Rapper Megan Thee Stallion proved to be an energetic and engaging host during Wednesday night's MTV Video Music Awards.
The 29-year-old kicked off the night in a one-shoulder catsuit reminiscent of what an Olympic gymnast might wear. Megan gave a shout-out to gold medalist and fellow Houston native Simone Biles, joking that Biles lent her the outfit and she made some alterations. “I deserve a gold medal for being a bad bitch,” Megan joked.
The VMAs spent the night celebrating 40 years of the awards show, looking back at great moments from the past. Megan chose to pay homage to herself, showing up with a real snake in honor of Britney Spears' iconic 2001 performance. She even rocked Spears' instantly recognizable outfit.
Megan spent only a moment with the snake before asking the show to turn off the music and take the snake. “I'm just playing. Come get this snake,” she said.
“I don't know this snake. This snake doesn't know me,” Megan said, squealing as handlers lifted the animal from her shoulders. “I tried to hold it down for Britney,” she added.
Megan performed a medley of several songs including “BOA,” “BAS,” and “HISS.” The rapper also performed her most recent hit single, “Mamushi,” from her recent album MeganShe also brought out the artist who featured on the song, Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba. Megan introduced the artist mid-song, shouting, “From Japan for the first time, Yuki!”
In one of her many costume changes of the night, Megan took the stage dressed in her outfit from the recent Pepsi commercial inspired by Gladiator II. This latest iteration of a massive Gladiator-themed ad campaign featured Megan, along with football stars Josh Allen, Derrick Henry and Justin Jefferson.
The campaign, which fuses the worlds of music, sports and entertainment, comes after the epic 2004 Super Bowl spot Roman Empire with Beyoncé, Spears and Pink.
Watch Megan's entire performance below. A full list of VMA winners can be found here.