Since its origination in 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards has been a highly coveted event for the entire music industry. First conceived as an alternative Grammy Award, the VMA’s offers artists a chance to be recognized for stunning, creative and thought-provoking music videos. In recent years, the VMA’s has become not only a way for musicians to gain attention and win awards, but also a way for celebrities to stir up our normal, everyday lives (can anyone forget Miley and Robin Thicke’s performace from last year? Probs not.) In case you missed the VMA’s earlier last week (because you were busy unpacking or having a floor meeting), here is a compiled list of the top moments of this year’s awards ceremony.
Ariana Grande opening the 2014 VMA’s
Ariana opened the show with a bang. She appeared in a super sparkly number that made our eyes dazzle. The outfit was a custom creation, and was filled with over 10,000 crystals attached by hand. Her stunning look was paired with matching crystal boots and–obviously–her killer vocals.
Nicki Minaj’s Performing “Anaconda”
Nicki Minaj appeared in a bright green bra and matching bottoms to perform her new song Anaconda.
PSA: No snakes were used or harmed during her actual performance. Apparently during a rehearsal for the award show, one of Nicki’s backstage dancers was bitten by a boa. Needless to say, they took out the snake. Regardless, the performance was still speechless.
Nicki Minaj’s Wardrobe Malfunction during “Bang Bang”
Was it really a wardrobe malfunction? Either way, her outfit was a complete disaster.
Immediately after her performance of Anaconda, she ran back on stage for her collaboration with Ariana Grande and Jessie J. While Jessie and Ariana were belting their hearts out, Nicki was too busy trying to keep her outfit on. She could barely move in her dress, let alone rap.
Katy Perry showing up in all denim on the red carpet.
Katy Perry and rapper Riff Raff decided to show up to the VMAs in custom made Versace denim outfits. Their coordinated look was a throwback tribute to Brittany Spears and Justin Timberlake’s denim look during the 2001 AMAs. Can we hashtag #tbt?
Chelsea Handler’s tribute to Taylor Swift
When MTV asked Chelsea to present the Best Male Video award, she asked to be placed after someone “really white” because there would be a lot of “big fat asses” during the show. So during her speech, she gave a huge shoutout to Taylor Swift for being “so white.”
Katy Perry winning “Best Female Video” … over Beyonce, Iggy AND Ariana Grande
Katy Perry won for best female video, for her song Dark House, undoubtedly making our jaws drop. We all thought either Beyonce, Iggy or Ariana would be destined to win over her (no offense).
Miley’s acceptance speech (or lack-of)
Exactly one year ago, Miley completely changed her image and rid herself of Hannah Montana for good (remember when she twerked against Robin Thicke??) This year, when Miley’s “Wrecking Ball” video won for video-of-the-year award, Miley completely surprised us by letting someone give a speech for her. Jesse (a homeless individual who represents the organization My Friends Place) gave a speech about awareness and how to donate and help out for the cause. While it was almost heartbreaking to watch, we later learned that Jesse actually has an outstanding warrant for arrest in Oregon – and he eventually turned himself in.
Lorde swearing on live TV
The 17-year old won for her song “Royals” in the Best Rock Video category. Lorde is the first female artist to win this award–girl power! She started off by looking at the wrong camera and then swearing. Nice!
Moment of Silence for Michael Brown
During the VMAs, rapper Common led a moment of silence for Michael Brown and all the lives lost in Ferguson, MI. During this moment, the camera moved to the Kardasians (Kim, Kendall and Kylie) who appeared to be texting and talking amongst themselves. The girls later got slammed on Twitter for being “selfish” and too “self-absorbed.”
Beyoncé.
Her name says it all. Watching Beyoncé perform was hypnotizing: the flawless (literally) choreography and whipping her hair back and forth literally gave me the chills. The mash up of her songs gave us an insane throwback to her On The Run Tour, which just ended.
After her performance, Blue Ivy and Jay Z walked on stage and handed her the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award, with Jay Z calling her the “greatest living entertainer.” This put all the divorce rumors to rest.
All hail Queen B.