New York (AFP)
The American pop star Lady Gaga shone on Sunday evening at the MTV Video Music Awards during a ceremony that was nothing conventional, between virtual speeches and speeches against racism.
The ceremony - usually more observed for its eccentric performances and costumes than the prizes it awards - had to revise its ambitions downwards for the 2020 edition, coronavirus requires.
Mistress of Ceremonies Keke Palmer, who starred in the movie "Queens" last year, opened the evening with a vibrant tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, who recently died of colon cancer at the age of. 43 years.
"We are dedicating this evening to a man who touched so many people," she said of the man who played the first black superhero in "Black Panther."
In winning the prestigious Video of the Year award for "Blinding Lights," Canadian R&B singer The Weekend said how "hard" it was for him to celebrate.
"I'm just going to say: justice for Jacob Blake and justice for Breonna Taylor," said the artist, referring to victims of police violence in the United States.
Many stars have also encouraged viewers to go to the polls en masse during speeches interrupted by an advertising page funded by the campaign team of Joe Biden, Donald Trump's rival for the November 3 presidential election.
The legendary Lady Gaga shone in the flagship categories of the ceremony: Artist of the year or Song of the year for "Rain on Me", her hit with Ariana Grande.
"Stay safe. Express your opinions and, I'll be told + change the record +, but wear a mask, that's a sign of respect," said the 34-year-old artist.
The ceremony offered new awards this year, in tribute to the catastrophic year experienced by the music industry, deprived of festivals and concerts.
Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber notably won Best Home Video for "Stuck with You".
And while established American artists Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift won trophies, they were all beaten in the premier category of their genre by South Korean group BTS, which won the award for Best Pop Song with "We".
© 2020 AFP