The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards were held on Wednesday night in New York City. The Hollywood Reporter collected the most important moments of the show.
Taylor Swift Remembers 9/11…
Taylor Swift took a moment to remember the tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks when she accepted her first award during the 2024 MTV VMAs telecast. Taking the stage to accept her best collaboration Moon Person with “Fortnight” collaborator Post Malone, Swift began by reflecting on the 23rd anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. “Waking up this morning in New York City on 9/11, I thought about what happened 23 years ago: everyone who lost a loved one and everyone we've lost,” Swift said. “And that's the most important thing today. And everything that happens tonight is secondary.” Read more. —Hilary Lewis
…and wins big
Swift took home the biggest award of the night at the MTV Video Music Awards, breaking several records with her win. The superstar won Video of the Year for her song “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone. Swift has won seven VMAs this year, bringing her all-time total to 30, tying her with Beyoncé for the most VMA wins of all time. After accepting the trophy from VMA host Megan Thee Stallion, Swift took the stage to share her appreciation for her fans and everyone who helped bring the music video to life. Read more. —Carly Thomas
Chappell Roan Calls Photographer on Red Carpet …
Chappell Roan stepped up to the plate at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards after an uncomfortable encounter. Roan, who made her VMA debut on Wednesday night, posed on the red carpet in a medieval-inspired getup. In a clip shared by Show tonighta photographer appeared to tell her to “shut the fuck up” after she turned away from the camera. The “Hot To Go” singer quickly reacted, telling the photographer, “Shut the fuck up!” She added, “Don't do that! I don't, bitch!” Someone in the background could be heard urging her on, commenting, “Say it, girl!” When asked about the incident by a Show tonight reporter, Roan explained, “It's pretty overwhelming and pretty scary. I think for someone who has a lot of… anxiety when people are yelling at you… the carpet is horrible.” Read more. — Tatiana Tenreyro
…and delivers a ferocious performance of “Good Luck, Babe”
Roan took the stage to perform her hit “Good Luck, Babe.” After being introduced by Sasha Colby as “your favorite drag queen's favorite artist,” the singer stepped out in a medieval armor-inspired costume as a castle erupted in flames behind her. During the fiery performance, Roan didn't hold back from singing as dancers dressed in medieval-inspired garb showed off their moves around her. Read more. —Carly Thomas
VMA Host Megan Thee Stallion: 'I Deserve a Gold Medal for Being a Bad B****'
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion was an energetic and engaging host at the VMAs. The 29-year-old kicked off the night in a one-shoulder catsuit reminiscent of what an Olympic gymnast would wear. Megan gave a shout-out to gold medalist and fellow Houston native Simone Biles, joking that Biles lent her the gown and she made a few 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 on great moments from the past. Megan chose to pay homage to herself, showing up with an actual snake in honor of Britney Spears’ iconic 2001 performance. She even rocked Spears’ instantly recognizable gown. Read more. —Nicole fell
Shawn Mendes Drops New Single “Nobody Knows”
Shawn Mendes debuted his new single “Nobody Knows,” from his upcoming self-titled album, at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. The song appears to comment on his breakup with Camila Cabello, who also performed Wednesday night, as he asks, “When you’re so in love and souls are touching but it’s still not enough, where does it go? Nobody knows.” In contrast to the night’s other performances, Mendes’s was more stripped down, with the artist playing acoustic guitar, accompanied by drums and an electric guitar. Read more. — Tatiana Tenreyro
Sabrina Carpenter delivers an out-of-this-world performance
Sabrina Carpenter gave a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday night that was literally out of this world. After being introduced by legendary singer Cyndi Lauper, Carpenter performed some of her biggest hits from the summer, including “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and “Espresso.” Wearing a sparkly silver gown, the artist kicked off her performance from the sky on a swing with “Taste.” After being lowered onto the stage, Carpenter was joined by an alien and an astronaut as they danced on a set that resembled the moon in space. Read more. —Carly Thomas
Blackpink's Lisa Is a Red-Hot 'Rockstar' in Her Solo Debut at the VMAs
Blackpink’s Lisa can add an electric VMA performance to her growing list of accolades this year. The 27-year-old Thai singer and rapper, whose real name is Lalisa Manobal, took the stage earlier in the night for her first solo performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. Decked out in an all-red ensemble, the singer kicked off a two-song medley with her recent single “New Woman.” During the short performance of “New Woman,” which usually features Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalía, Lisa showed off her vocal range and dancing skills, performing part of the song while dancing around matching red chairs. Lisa quickly transitioned into her summer hit single “Rockstar.” The energetic performance lit up the stage — literally, as the star opted for additional fire effects behind the stage. Read more. —Nicole fell
Halsey Lets It All Out in a Garage for “Ego” Performance
Halsey returned to the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday night with a performance of her new song “Ego.” After riding her bike up to a house on stage, the singer pulled up a garage door to reveal her band waiting inside. Halsey quickly grabbed her guitar and started rocking out in the garage, performing the single from her upcoming album, The great imitator. Halsey’s return to the VMA stage comes years after her last performance at the awards show in 2016, when she joined The Chainsmokers for their collaboration “Closer.” The “Bad at Love” singer has also previously been nominated for seven VMAs. Read more. —Carly Thomas
Eminem Harkens Back to Slim Shady's Platinum Blonde Era With 'Houdini' Performance
Eminem's latest album might be called The Death of Slim ShadyBut for his first televised performance since the album, the rapper brought out his platinum-haired alter ego, along with a horde of lookalikes. In an opening reminiscent of his 2000 VMA performance of “Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am,” which featured 100 lookalikes, the rapper kicked off the 2024 VMAs and his “Houdini” performance by entering Long Island’s UBS Arena wearing a platinum-blonde wig, alongside several men with the same hair. Before entering the arena, the 2024 MTV VMAs featured a Bat-Signal-like “E” in the sky. As Eminem and his lookalikes took the stage, he weaved through them as he continued to perform. He then opened up on “Somebody Save Me,” ditching the wig for a black hat, looking more like his modern self. Read more. —Hilary Lewis
Katy Perry Receives Video Vanguard Award
Katy Perry was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. She was introduced by partner Orlando Bloom and performed a medley of her greatest hits before accepting the award. “Oh my God!” Perry exclaimed. “I did that on the first day of my period, if you can believe that!” She thanked MTV for “believing in [her] weirdness from day one and helping artists expand their worlds.” “There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist,” she said. “There are no accidents that last a decade.” She thanked her team, who have been with her for “over 20 years,” and her label, Capitol Records. “Trust me, it takes a village of strong people, a lot of healthy debate, and a lot of group chats.” Read more. — Tatiana Tenreyro
LL Cool J brings energy with a medley of his classic hits and new songs
LL Cool J took to the stage at the MTV VMAs with a medley of his classic hits and new songs to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Records. The rapper, whose performance featured LL's original Def Jam labelmates Flavor Flav and Public Enemy's Chuck D, took the stage toward the end of the three-hour show. LL kicked off the high-energy performance with “Headsprung,” with the crowd wearing the rapper's signature red Kangol hats. Cameras then panned to several people in the audience holding goat signs, with LL rapping his song “The GOAT,” when Flavor Flav and Chuck D joined him onstage for a performance of their “Bring the Noise.” Read more. —Kimberly Nordyke
Camila Cabello Delivers a Haunting Performance of “June Gloom”
Camila Cabello performed “June Gloom” from her new LP C, kisses and hugs at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, broadcast live from UBS Arena in Long Island. The pop star’s performance began with a video clip showing off her blonde look from the album cycle, played on a laptop. The camera then pulled back to show a brunette Cabello singing from a glass box, performing directly into a camera surrounded by dancers in balaclavas and flashing lights. In a shocking move, Cabello smashed the laptop and climbed out of the case. Her dancers unmasked before crowding around her, concluding the performance with a pose. Read more. — Tatiana Tenreyro