01of 12A Glamorous GuestBennett Raglin/GettyJack Harlowlaunched the nightwith a surprise guest. During his performance of “First Class,” this year’s co-emcee shared the stage with Fergie, whose song “Glamorous” is heavily sampled in Harlow’s hit.
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A Glamorous Guest
Bennett Raglin/Getty
Jack Harlowlaunched the nightwith a surprise guest. During his performance of “First Class,” this year’s co-emcee shared the stage with Fergie, whose song “Glamorous” is heavily sampled in Harlow’s hit.
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Cosmic Cameo
Johnny Deppshowed up brieflythroughout the awards show, virtually flashing into the face of a moonperson floating above the stage to deliver one-liners. “And you know what? I needed the work,” the actor joked in his initial appearance.
03of 12Twenty Years LaterJeff Kravitz/Getty2002 VMAs host Jimmy Fallon presented the fan-voted album of the year award to winner Harry Styles, who accepted the moonperson forHarry’s Housevirtually.
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Twenty Years Later
Jeff Kravitz/Getty
2002 VMAs host Jimmy Fallon presented the fan-voted album of the year award to winner Harry Styles, who accepted the moonperson forHarry’s Housevirtually.
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A Swift Return
Taylor Swiftblessed the VMAs red carpetfor the first time since 2019. Shining like a “mirrorball” in a crystal Oscar de la Renta gown, she sparkled throughout the night.
Wearing her classic red-lip smile, the singer excitedly accepted the best long-form video award for “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version).” Then she rapped in sync with hostNicki Minaj’s performance of “Super Bass.”
Later in the night she returned to accept the award for video of the year, and shared some big news —a new album,Midnights,is coming Oct. 21.
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Nicki’s Moment for Life
For her first appearance as 2022’s Video Vanguard recipient,Nicki Minaj performed a medley of her hitsfrom throughout the years.
As she accepted the annual achievement award, the rapper thanked musical greats who led the way, like fellow Vanguard winners Kanye West, Rihanna and Madonna.
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Eminem and Snoop Dogg.Arturo Holmes/Getty
Eminem and Snoop Dogg joined forces for a collaboration too big and bright for the physical stage. The two first appeared seated on a sofa, Snoop nursing an enormous joint and Eminem gawking at the size.
Then, the rappers morphed into Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT avatars and were transported into the metaverse for a psychedelic performance of “From the D 2 the LBC.”
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Worldwide Winners
The Red Hot Chili Peppers accepted the Global Icon Awardwith a smashing performance of their classic “Can’t Stop” and their recent hit “Black Summer” (which later earned them the best rock video award).
While accepting the honor alongside his bandmates Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith and John Frusciante, bassist Flea expressed effusive appreciation for his loved ones and also for “cockroaches and dirt and trees and every human being.”
08of 12Lizzo, What’s Good?Lizzo.Jeff Kravitz/GettyWithNicki Minajas 2022’s co-emcee, performer and Video Vanguard recipient, a reference to her iconic 2015 VMAs callout of Miley Cyrus was inevitable.And who better than Lizzo to remind us of the moment? While accepting the video for good award, Lizzo addressed the “b—–s that got something to say about me in the press!” But the “About Damn Time” singer rose above her haters with the grace and good humor that her fans have come to expect.
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Lizzo, What’s Good?
Lizzo.Jeff Kravitz/Getty
WithNicki Minajas 2022’s co-emcee, performer and Video Vanguard recipient, a reference to her iconic 2015 VMAs callout of Miley Cyrus was inevitable.
And who better than Lizzo to remind us of the moment? While accepting the video for good award, Lizzo addressed the “b—–s that got something to say about me in the press!” But the “About Damn Time” singer rose above her haters with the grace and good humor that her fans have come to expect.
09of 12Representing BrazilAnitta.Arturo Holmes/GettyAnitta made history at this year’s VMAs as she became the first Brazilian to ever win a Moon Person. She accepted the prize for best Latin video just after giving a showstopping performance of her songs “Vai Malandra” and “Envolver,” the VMA-winning track off her album,Versions of Me.“Tonight I performed a rhythm that for many years in my country was considered a crime,” the first-time VMA nominee and winner shared. “For whoever was born there … we never would think this was possible.”
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Representing Brazil
Anitta.Arturo Holmes/Getty
Anitta made history at this year’s VMAs as she became the first Brazilian to ever win a Moon Person. She accepted the prize for best Latin video just after giving a showstopping performance of her songs “Vai Malandra” and “Envolver,” the VMA-winning track off her album,Versions of Me.
“Tonight I performed a rhythm that for many years in my country was considered a crime,” the first-time VMA nominee and winner shared. “For whoever was born there … we never would think this was possible.”
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A Stadium Away
Bad Bunny.Noam Galai/Getty
11of 12An On-Stage StatementDimitrios Kambouris/GettyBilly Eichner used his VMAs stage time to promote his new movieBros, the first gay rom-com from a major studio, and also to advocate for the representation films like these bring about. Eichner name-checked Clarence Thomas and “all the homophobes on the Supreme Court” whose views aim to “drag us back into the last century.”
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An On-Stage Statement
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Billy Eichner used his VMAs stage time to promote his new movieBros, the first gay rom-com from a major studio, and also to advocate for the representation films like these bring about. Eichner name-checked Clarence Thomas and “all the homophobes on the Supreme Court” whose views aim to “drag us back into the last century.”
12of 12Dove’s DedicationDove Cameron.Theo Wargo/GettyThis year’s best new artist winner,Dove Cameron, made sure to honor her fans in her acceptance speech, dedicating her victory to “all of the queer kids out there who don’t feel that they can take up space and inhabit the fullness of who they are.”
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Dove’s Dedication
Dove Cameron.Theo Wargo/Getty
This year’s best new artist winner,Dove Cameron, made sure to honor her fans in her acceptance speech, dedicating her victory to “all of the queer kids out there who don’t feel that they can take up space and inhabit the fullness of who they are.”
source: people.com
