The MTV Video Music Awards is one of the most anticipated award shows. Each year something wild and unexpected happens: from the 2009 VMAs when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift to let her know Queen Bey had “the best [music] video of all time.” To the 2015 VMAs where Nicki Minaj had to ask “Miley what’s good?” This year, I got to attend the VMAs and got to see what it takes to pull off this live show.
While it was one of the most memorable experiences ever, it was kind of unfortunate that I was not allowed to record ANY of it. Yes, I know…you guys are probably reading this like:
Hear me out though. So before we went inside the Prudential Center, we went through extensive security. Afterwards, they give us these pouches to put our phones in. Now I know what you’re thinking: Why not just open the pouch? Sis, I wish! Members of the security team lock the pouches and they did not open them until after the award show. That was the worst part of my whole VMA experience. I finally got to live out my childhood fantasy and touch Nick Jonas’ hand. I was feet away from touching Cardi B, DJ Khaled, Lil Nas X, Queen Latifah, and Billy Ray Cyrus. I even got to see THEE hot girl herself, Megan The Stallion! I watched Missy Elliot give one of the most iconic Video Vanguard Award performances BUT I HAVE NO EVIDENCE!
But I did learn something – there’s SO MUCH that goes into this show that you wouldn’t know if you watched it at home. Such as… some footage that airs during the show is prerecorded and before the award show started producers and camera crew tell us to make sure we look like we are enjoying ourselves at all times. They even gave us bracelets that lit up during certain performances (like Camilla Cabello and Shawn Mendes) and we had to sway our hands back and forth.
I can confidently say I enjoyed my 2019 VMAs experience. However, it was a lot of standing (6 hours to be exact) and I would highkey like MTV to run me a check for being part of their professional audience. Being able to attend the VMAs was honestly an unforgettable experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world and after standing for six hours I left the Prudential Center feeling like Lizzo, “Good As Hell..”