The Video Music Awards took place on Sept. 11 at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The VMAs showcase the year’s most popular music videos and feature memorable performances by many beloved celebrities. This year’s award show was hosted by female rap artist Megan Thee Stallion and we saw glorious performances and heartfelt speeches from celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Sabrina Carpenter and Eminem- the latter of which opened the show.  

Eminem began with his most recent hit, “Houdini,” sporting a corny blond wig meant to imitate his infamous bleach-blond look from his days as Slim Shady. Alongside him were dozens of backup dancers dressed as look-alikes wearing the iconic Slim Shady hairstyle. This performance paid homage to the “Houdini” music video as well as a throwback to performances in his early days of fame. Eminem surprised fans by ending his set with a riveting and emotional performance of “Somebody Save Me,” which featured rapper Jelly Roll. Behind him were home videos, ending his set with a touching tribute to his three children. 

Later on, national phenomenon Taylor Swift won an astounding ten awards, one being Best Collaboration for her work with Post Malone on their song and music video “Fortnight.” The two shared a heartwarming speech as Taylor voiced her love for the rapper calling him a “ridiculously talented, versatile and most down-to-earth person.” She expressed how “unfailingly polite” Post Malone is and how it has taken her “forever” to get him to stop calling her “ma’am.” 

Swift also mentioned her boyfriend Travis Kelce, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs,  describing how incredibly supportive he was on the set of the music video. “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic,” Swift says. The rest of Swift’s awards included Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Editing, Song of the Summer, as well as the most momentous awards Artist of the Year and as previously mentioned, Best Collaboration. This makes Taylor Swift the most awarded artist at the VMAs, outranking superstar Beyonce. Swift ended her time onstage urging fans to vote in the upcoming presidential election. Her statement comes at no surprise after she announced her endorsement of Kamala Harris in an Instagram post just a few days before the award show.

Rising pop star and former Disney actress Sabrina Carpenter left fans astonished by her eccentric performances at her debut at the VMAS. Carpenter performed her hit singles from her most recent album “Short n’ Sweet.” She started with “Please Please Please” on a swing above the stage and then floated down to dance alongside an alien and astronaut. Whilst singing “Taste,” Carpenter made out with the alien, leaving her mark on the VMAs. She concluded her performance with “Espresso” as dozens of astronauts danced behind her. Carpenter won Song of the Year for “Espresso” and during her acceptance speech, she expressed her appreciation for the support her fans have given her through her career. 

Illustrious LGBTQ pop artist Chappell Roan won Best New Artist and performed her single “Good Luck, Babe!” in a Joan of Arc-inspired suit of armor. Roan danced alongside knights, with some believing it to be a reference to the 1971 Disney film “Bedknobs and Broomsticks.” In her acceptance speech, Roan shouted out the LGBTQ+ community by saying “… and to all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you, I understand you because I am one of you.”

Pop artist and TV personality Katy Perry won the confounding Vanguard Video Award, also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award. Perry was given ten minutes for her performances, which included her infamous 2010s singles “E.T.,” “Teenage Dream,” “California Gurls,” “Firework,” as well as one of her new songs “I’m His, He’s Mine,” which featured female rapper Doechii. She gave remarkable performances which reminded fans of her genuine talent as a pop star. 

Before the ceremony, celebrities wowed audiences with their eclectic display of fashion. Sabrina Carpenter paid tribute to Madonna in the singer’s exquisite white gown from the 1991 Oscars.

 Influential TikToker and singer Addison Rae also channeled Madonna, wearing a similar outfit as she did in her performance “Like a Virgin” at the very first VMAs. 

Britney Spears was referenced multiple times by Tate Mcrae, as well as the host herself, Megan Thee Stallion. Many fans of rising popstar Tate Mcrae see a resemblance to through her dynamic dance moves and energetic performances. Mcrae paid tribute to Spears in recreating her 2001s VMAs outfit- a sheer black mini dress. Megan Thee Stallion, on the other hand, referenced Spears by not only recreating one of her 2001 VMAs outfit, even going as far as bringing out a live snake which Spears did during her performance of “I’m a Slave For U.” 

Overall, the VMAs were full of elation and passion from many admired celebrities. There were many memorable moments from Sabrina Carpenter kissing a blue alien, to Taylor Swift referencing Travis Kelce as her boyfriend for the first time since their relationship went public. Overall, the outfits, performances and speeches will undoubtedly go down in VMAs history.

Image from vmas via Instagram