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Moments to remember: The VMAs now and then

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter.

 

The MTV Video Music Awards are notoriously known for having some of the craziest moments on television. Here are a few note-worthy moments from this year’s VMAs and moments from the award show in the past:
 


Now: Lady Gaga’s performs “Applause” 
Then: Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” Performance

Gaga kicked off the 2013 VMAs with her latest single “Applause” from her upcoming album “ARTPOP.” Gaga started the awards off with a dramatic performance with, of course, several outfit and wig changes. Let’s be honest…. It just wouldn’t be a Lady Gaga performance without a few wig swaps.

This performance reminded me of Gaga’s “Paparazzi” performance at the VMAs in 2009. Although Gaga didn’t change her wig during this performance, the stage set up alone was enough to make it memorable (the stage was setup as a foyer in a mansion). Gaga ended her “Paparazzi” act by hanging from a rope in the air and appeared to be dead with blood dripping from her lifeless body. I’m not sure how Gaga manages to make something as creepy as death look cool, but she definitely pulled it off during that performance.

Now: Miley Cyrus Twerking 
Then: Britney Spear’s Comeback

Cyrus gave people something to talk about after her performance at the awards show of her summer hit “We Can’t Stop,” and it was weird to say the least. To top it off, Cyrus stripped down to a nude bikini outfit and bent over to twerk on Robin Thicke. According to various social media posts, it was pretty awkward to watch.

I wonder who had the worst VMA performance…. Miley Cyrus or Britney Spears?

Spears preformed “Gimmie More” during the 2007 awards show. MTV hyped up her comeback into the music industry, and she ended up failing miserably. Spears looked slow, stiff and honestly not really into it. In my opinion, it’s a tie.

Now: Kanye West Performs “Blood on the Leaves” 
Then: Kanye West’s “Love Lockdown” Performance

This year, West performed “Blood on the Leaves” from his most recent album “Yeezus.” He gave a high-energy performance essentially in the dark. The scenic backdrop of trees gave off a dim light, which created a silhouette of West. All the audience could see is a blackish figure of West swaying and jumping on the stage. His performance was really interesting to watch.  

This set up was familiar to West’s 2008 performance of “Love Lockdown.” The performance started off in dark and continued with very little light except for red and blue strobe lights. Although some people don’t like him, West always puts on a visually entertaining show.

Now: ‘N Sync Reunion 
Then: ‘N Sync with the King of Pop

I think every single girl in America was screaming and swooning at the television while ‘N Sync gave its 110-second performance. Yes, the whole crew was there; however, some looked and danced better than others. Even though the reunion was short-lived, I know it was nice for all the 90s kids to relive their boy-band obsessions.

The last time the group performed at the VMAs, they were on stage with the King of Pop himself in 2001. The group performed its hit single “Pop.” Midway through the performance, Michael Jackson came on stage and busted a move, which of course included doing the sideways moonwalk. This was, in my opinion, the best moment in VMA history without a doubt.

Sources: 
Billboard.com 
NYDailyNews.com 
Yahoo.com 
Spin.com

 

Meghan is a journalism major at the University of Florida. She considers home to be Tampa, FL, but she was born and raised in Long Island, NY. Meghan plans on moving back to New York the day after graduation. She is a pop culture junkie, hoarder of fashion magazines and she also loves pink.
Cara oversees Her Campus Media's community department and serves as strategic lead for the expansion, development and management of all HCM communities, including the Her Campus Chapter Network, InfluenceHer Collective, College Fashionista, Spoon University, Campus Trendsetters, alumni and high school. She works closely with company leadership to develop new community-related sales offerings and the Integrated Marketing team to support all community-focused client marketing programs from end to end. Cara has experience working with high-profile talent, such as Jessica Alba, Andrew Yang, Amber Tamblyn, Aja Naomi King, Troian Bellisario, Jessica Marie Garcia, Nico Tortorella, Nastia Liukin, Rebecca Minkoff, Cecile Richards and Samantha Power, as well as brands like Coca-Cola, L'Oréal Paris, The New York Times, HBO, Uber, H&M and more. Having been a part of the HC family since 2011, Cara served as Campus Correspondent of the HC chapter at the University of Florida where she studied journalism, women’s studies and leadership. A New Yorker turned Floridian, Cara has a Friends quote for any situation. You can usually find her with her friends and family at the beach, a concert or live sports event or binge-watching Grey's Anatomy or Sons of Anarchy. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @thecararose.