“MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs) are always the most star-studded and flashy music award show. It’s widely known that anyone who makes it in the industry has a moon-man sitting on their shelf. The VMAs are legendary for jaw dropping moments that live on in pop culture history.
This year, the VMAs were hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, who did a decent job, certainly nothing to go crazy about. Her best moment was when she came out in Britney Spears’s iconic, “Slave 4 U” 2001 VMA outfit, including the real snake.
There was a lot of paying homage to the artists that have come before, like Sabrina Carpenter wearing Madonna’s 1991 Oscar gown on the red carpet. We can always count on Carpenter to show off that old Hollywood glam aesthetic.
Not even ten minutes into the award show, Taylor Swift won her first VMA for “Best Collaboration” with Post Malone for their hit “Fortnight” off her latest album “The Tortured Poets Department.” If I had been nominated in Swift’s category, I would’ve risen from my chair and gracefully bowed out altogether. I can’t imagine the frustration from other hard-working, talented artists… But it’s the name of the game when you’re up against one of the biggest names in music.
However, Swift gracefully gave Post Malone the microphone, and he thanked her and everyone involved in making their video. The duo also won “Song of the Summer,” “Video of the Year,” “Best Direction,” and “Best Editing.” Swift took home the “Best Pop” and “Artist of the Year” categories, making her total for the night seven wins. I imagine Swift’s legs were tired from being up all night accepting awards and crafting speeches on the fly. Sadly, she has not announced “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” just yet, but when it does come, there will be no explanation, just “Reputation.”
This year’s performances were particularly special, including some of the biggest and growing names in the industry, like Eminem, LISA, KAROL G, Anitta, Rauw Alejandro, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, and more.
My favorite performance was by the one and only Midwest princess, Chappell Roan, who took home the VMA for “Best New Artist” (rightfully so). Her performance was fit for a princess, wait, scratch that, fit for a knight! Roan appeared in metal armor with a bow and arrow that shot fire into the stage scenery, causing the castle to burst into flames. All part of the production, of course. She then performed her Billboard 100 Hit “Good Luck, Babe!” making her VMA debut.
During her acceptance speech, Roan read a diary entry that thanked her team, family, friends, and record label. The most emotional part of her speech was her dedication to the drag artists that inspire her and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“For all the queer kids in the midwest watching right now, I see you, I understand you, because I’m one of you, and don’t ever let anyone tell that you can’t be exactly who you wanna be, bitch,” Roan said.
Another female icon who performed was announced by 80s pop star, Cyndi Lauper, which felt like a passing of the pop torch. Can you guess who? Let me give you some hints: She’s five feet to be exact, working late because she’s a singer, and is light as a feather. It’s Sabrina Carpenter! She won the VMA for “Song of the Year” for her caffeinated hit “Espresso.” She performed the hit, along with “Taste” and “Please Please Please,” where she appeared hanging from the ceiling sitting on a diamond. Her performance featured tons of astronauts and an alien during “Taste,” depicting “the other woman.” She even showed the alien some love by giving her a little kiss. Just like Britney Spears, we have questions! Nonetheless, Carpenter is bringing back old provocative pop while still keeping it classy.
Katy Perry also performed at the award show, but for me her performance wasn’t as memorable as Benson Boone’s vocal gymnastics onstage, literally. Or even Teddy Swims performance on the Doritos Extended Play Stage. His smooth riffs and runs are the most vocally underrated aspect of his artistry. Boone’s voice is like absolute butter, and it was so great to see him have the opportunity to perform on this kind of stage. Perry might have catchy roars, but she’s nothing special to listen to vocally. And she’s not the only one…
The utter travesty of the crowd knowing the words to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Star,” and not Lenny Kravitz’s classic rock track, “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” Kravtiz is 60-years-old and can still outperform Stallion any day of the week. He took home the VMA for “Best Rock” for his song “Human.” Kravtiz is a real musician and rocker, unlike Stallion, whose dance moves had me covering my sister’s eyes. As my friend put it, “The people who insisted on only showing Elvis from the waist up are rolling in their graves.”
Some honorable award mentions are Tyla’s “Water,” which won “Best Afrobeat,” “Best R&B” for SZA’s “Snooze,” and “Best K-Pop” for LISA’s “Rockstar.”
After all the awards are said and done, artist’s lives were undoubtedly changed by this historic award show. MTV has made history time and time again and will continue to do so for every generation even after our lifetime.
