After adjusting its air date to make room for the presidential debate on Tuesday, the MTV Video Music Awards took place tonight live from UBS Arena in New York—its first time at that particular venue after spending the last two years at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
Hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, the VMAs celebrated its 40th(!) anniversary with performances and appearances from a cast of celebrities, many of whom are closely intertwined with MTV’s pop-culture history, from show opener Eminem to Video Vanguard winner Katy Perry, presenter and onetime Total Request Live VJ Carson Daly, and fellow presenter Cyndi Lauper, who won the first-ever Moonman for best female video in 1984. Even Lenny Kravitz performed at the VMAs for the first time in 25 years.
The VMAs likewise rolled out the carpet for newcomers, such as best new artist nominees and first-time performers Chappell Roan and Benson Boone, six-time nominee Sabrina Carpenter (also performing for the first time), and the recently solo BLACKPINK K-pop singer LISA.
Meanwhile, VMAs legend Taylor Swift led the night with 10 nominations, including video of the year for “Fortnight” with Post Malone. No stranger to making VMAs history, Swift won video of the year in 2022 and 2023, for “Anti-Hero” and “All Too Well: The Short Film,” respectively.
Here are the best, worst, and most dramatic moments from the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
Most Underwhelming Entrance: Eminem
Eminem is an indelible part of MTV’s history, sure. But his opening performance of “Houdini”— kicked off with dozens of fake Shadys running up onstage, a callback to his 2000 performance—and “Somebody Save Me” with JellyRoll—intercut with home movies of Em’s kids—was a snore. A schmaltzy snore.
Most Adorably Speechless: Post Malone
Winning the first award of the night for Best Collaboration (“Fortnight”), Taylor Swift and Post Malone walked onstage together as seasoned VMAs champions. After Swift gave a memorial to the victims of 9/11, she…
