Sunday marks the return of the annual MTV Video Music Awards, one of the biggest nights in popular culture. Since its start in 1984, the show has featured a number of legendary moments that have been discussed for decades.
This year’s awards ceremony, which will be hosted at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, is anticipated to be the same as previous years. The hosts will be Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, and Jack Harlow.
Let’s reflect on some of the most memorable moments of the VMAs.
Conor McGregor and Machine Gun Kelly engage in a heated brawl on the red carpet.
Conor McGregor is being restrained by multiple individuals on the VMAs red carpet. Kevin Mazur/MTV VMAs 2021
In advance of the 2016 Video Music Awards, Conor McGregor and Machine Gun Kelly engaged in a heated altercation on the red carpet.
After the interaction, McGregor described it as “absolutely nothing.”
“Nothing happened to me,” he told “Entertainment Tonight” backstage. “I only fight real fighters, people who actually fight, if you catch my drift.” “I absolutely do not engage in conflict with young male rappers. I have never met the man. The only thing I know about him is that he is dating Megan Fox.”
Lady Gaga’s meat dress
Singer Lady Gaga poses in her meat dress in the press room at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photograph taken by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
2010 VMAs were headlined by Lady Gaga. Not only because she won several accolades, but also because she wore a dress made of raw meat to bring attention to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
In 2011, she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper, “What I was trying to communicate is that dead flesh is dead meat.” “And so is everyone who is willing to sacrifice their life and die for their nation. You are neither gay nor dead, but rather straight and dead. You are dead.”
Kanye West declares presidential candidacy
Kanye West accepts the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award onstage at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on August 30, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/MTV1415/FilmMagic)
Kanye West, who performs under the name Ye, grabbed the stage at the 2015 award event to accept the Video Vanguard Award while simultaneously announcing his candidacy for the 2020 presidential election. It was a moment that inspired memes and t-shirts, and ultimately led to the artist’s official ballot entry. In the end, he conceded the 2020 election, but he still has his eye on a future run.
A snake bit a backup dancer for Nicki Minaj.
Nicki Minaj in “Anaconda” video Nicki Minaj/Cash Money
Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda was a 2014 big song, but what made news leading up to the VMAs was an incident that occurred during a dress rehearsal. A backup dancer was brought to the hospital after being bitten by a six-foot boa constrictor named Rocky during a practice.
Beyonce dominating 2016 VMAs
Beyoncé attends the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards on August 28, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Getty
It was not surprising when Queen B shut down the 2016 Video Music Accolades with a spectacular performance of her visual album “Lemonade” after winning eight awards.
Swift criticizes the Trump administration
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 26: Taylor Swift accepts the “Video of the Year” award onstage during the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on August 26, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Dimitrios Kambouris/VMN19/Getty Images for MTV) Dimitrios Kambouris/VMN19
Taylor Swift took a political stance in 2019 when she criticized the Trump administration for failing to reply to a petition urging lawmakers to approve a measure protecting LGBTQ rights.
The VMAs dedicate the whole broadcast to Chadwick Boseman.
SANTA MONICA, CA – MARCH 03: On March 3, 2018, in Santa Monica, California, actor Chadwick Boseman attends the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
Chadwick Boseman passed away on August 28, 2020, only days before the VMAs. His death after a battle with cancer shocked millions of people around the world, and the show’s opening night announcement stated that it will be dedicated to the legendary actor.
“He is a true hero in everything he did, not just onscreen. His influence endures forever “VMA anchor Keke Palmer noted.
Current News
The phrase Tre’Vaughn Howard
Tre’Vaughn Howard is a journalist and producer for CBS News who focuses on foreign and cultural news.