Just a few days earlier, Taylor Swift released her seventh album Lover, which is already the best-selling album in the United States this year, causing Swift to become Beyoncé as the music industry's best-paid woman. At the VMA she took home the award for this year's video and this year's video with a message (video for good) for You need to calm down. On the VMA stage, she performed the song with a scenography in all the colors of the rainbow. Behind her flashed the words Equality act - a widely debated bill on LGBTQ rights. Unfortunately, the award-winning John Travolta first happened to give the prize to the wrong person: drag queen star Jade Jolie who wore a Taylor Swift-like wig.
Miley CyrusMiley Cyrus appeared on the VMA stage along with a whole string of strings and performed her new song Slide Away for the first time ever, just days after the divorce from Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth was announced on Twitter. The scene was off and stripped but Cyrus' voice was fierce and strong, free and despairing at the same time. Probably barely an eye dry in the audience.
Earlier this year, Missy Elliott was selected as the first female rapper to be in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, on Monday night it was time for a new honorary award. The rapper was awarded the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Many have wondered if the award would be renamed after documentary Leaving Neverland, which targets pedophile allegations against Jackson, but that was not the case. Missy Elliott, however, took the opportunity to thank another Jackson, namely Janet, and also mentioned stars such as Busta Rhymes, Peter Gabriel, Madonna and Aleeyah. Most beautiful, however, was when she thanked dancers all over the world for the magic they bring to the music.
For the first time ever, a prize was awarded in the K-pop category, ie pop from South Korea. The prize went, unsurprisingly, to the mega boy band BTS. But the price has not been without controversy. BTS fans have accused MTV of placing BTS in a slot where they are prevented from competing with all other artists for the really heavy prices. But in addition to receiving the award, they also had to perform their hit Boy with luv together with Halsey.
LizzoAmerican rapper Lizzo took props to a new level. She performed her songs Truth Hurts and Good as hell with a giant bikini butt on stage.
Lil nas x stood for one of the biggest and most special hits of the year: Old town road. A cowboy-influenced rap story with Miley Cyrus dad Billy Rae Cyrus. It took home the award for this year's song. At the gala, Lil Nas x performs his song Panini in a wonderful sci-fi-strong number where the rapper had to show off his distinct talent for dance.