Camila Cabello beats Beyonce, Drake for top VMA prizes

Cuban-born Camila Cabello beat out heavy hitters Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Drake to take home the two top prizes at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Monday. 

Cabello, 21, was chosen artist of the year and won video of the year for her Latin-flavored hit "Havana," while rapper Cardi B picked up wins for best new artist and song of summer for her dance hit "I Like It" with J Balvin and Bad Bunny.

"I can't believe this is for me," said Cabello, who split from girl group Fifth Harmony in late 2016 to launch a solo career.

New York rapper Cardi B, 25, made her first public appearance since giving birth to her first child in July. But the feisty "Bodak Yellow" singer failed to make good on her leading 10 nominations going into the show as fans spread their votes far and wide.

"A couple of months ago people were saying, you're gambling your career by having a baby," Cardi B said. "I had a baby ... and now I'm still winning awards."

The biggest winner of the night was Childish Gambino, the music stage name of actor Donald Glover, who came away with three for his hard-hitting video "This Is America" about black identity and police brutality.

But the trophies were mostly in technical categories, including choreography and direction. Beyonce and Jay-Z's much talked-about "APES**T," which was shot inside the Louvre in Paris against the backdrop of some of the world's most famous art works, won just two of its eight nominations.

Canadian rapper Drake, one of the most popular artists in terms of sales and streaming, came away empty-handed, as did multiple Grammy winner Bruno Mars.

Neither Mars, Drake, Gambino, Beyonce nor Jay-Z attended the awards show in New York City, which featured performances by Ariana Grande - who won best pop video for "No Tears Left to Cry," - Nicki Minaj, Aerosmith, Shawn Mendes and Travis Scott.

Jennifer Lopez brought the audience to its feet with a song and dance medley of her biggest hits as she was presented with the annual Vanguard Award, named after Michael Jackson, recognizing her 20 years in show business.

"It's been an incredible journey of dreaming my wildest dreams and then watching them come true," said Lopez.

However, a promised tribute to Aretha Franklin following her death last week at age 76 consisted only of a speech by Madonna and a brief video clip from Franklin's early career.

The VMAs have a reputation for irreverence and provocative stunts but, aside from a segment on U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial immigration policies, there were few surprises.

Rapper Logic was joined onstage by dozens of immigrant children and their families wearing white t-shirts saying "We are all human beings," for a performance of his song "One Day."

The song is a protest against the policy that saw thousands of immigrant children separated from their parents in June after crossing the southern border with Mexico without documents.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Music world mourns Aretha Franklin at MTV video awards

NEW YORK -- "Queen of Pop" Madonna led an impassioned tribute to "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin on Monday as the music world paid its R-E-S-P-E-C-Ts to the superstar at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The show came four days after 76-year-old Franklin died of pancreatic cancer and the industry used the telecast to send Franklin off in style.

"She led me to where I am today, and I know she influenced so many people in this house tonight, in this room tonight," said Madonna, who turned 60 last Thursday -- the day Franklin died.

Franklin has influenced generations of singers with iconic hits including "Natural Woman" and "I Say a Little Prayer." 

But "Respect" (1967) was her signature tune and the broadcast ended with a recording of Aretha belting out the Otis Redding cover as the audience danced wildly. 

"I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Long live the Queen," Madonna added.

Fast-rising rapper Cardi B -- who recently became a mother -- was expected to launch the show at New York's Radio City Music Hall with a song but instead turned heads by simulating breastfeeding onstage.

She left performing duties to Canadian singer and songwriter Shawn Mendes, who treated fans to his acclaimed single "In My Blood," which chronicles his struggle with anxiety disorder. 

Whips, masks, conical breasts

Cardi B started the show as frontrunner, narrowly taking more nominations than Jay-Z and Beyonce, who ended the evening with just one award -- best cinematography -- for their Louvre-shot video "Apeshit."

But artist and video of the year -- for "Havana" -- went to former Fifth Harmony singer Camila Cabello, who earlier had to endure comedian Tiffany Haddish struggling to pronounce her name before joking awkwardly: "I only speak English."

Unlike the industry-led Grammys, the VMAs prides itself on outrageous made-for-television moments with less focus on who wins the awards.

As ever, the industry's most controversial stars strutted the red carpet in outrageous awards garb featuring whips, masks and, in model Amber Rose's case, conical breasts. 

All big awards shows these days are political and accordingly MTV debuted a new campaign, "+1 the vote" to encourage young people to go to the polls for November's midterm elections.

Childish Gambino's "This Is America," which racked up more than 100 million views in its first week on YouTube with its powerful take on gun violence and racism, won best video with a message, choreography and direction.

Gold was an unofficial motif for the night and former child star Ariana Grande, 25, was dressed accordingly in gilded sequins as she sung "God Is a Woman," her newly mature track about the delights of sex.

'We are all human'

Rapper Logic and Ryan Tedder offered one of the night's first big emotional moments when they performed their collaboration "One Day." 

Tedder was onstage as Logic entered the venue with dozens of immigrant children following him, wearing T-shirts that said, "We are all human beings" and holding candles.

There was a hometown takeover from Jennifer Lopez, who sizzled in a sequined body suit with a medley of some of her biggest hits, including "Ain't Your Mama," "Love Don't Cost a Thing" and "Get Right."

There was a change of costume and tone -- not to mention fake falling snow -- as she sang "Jenny From the Block" and was joined by Ja Rule for "I'm Real" and "Ain't It Funny."

It was a first appearance since 2001 for the bilingual, New York-born diva, who won best collaboration alongside DJ Khaled and Cardi B, for "Dinero."

"There's so much more to do and I know in my heart the future is even brighter," she said as she received the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award for her lifetime contributions to pop culture. 

Cardi B, who in little more than a year has become one of the most prominent women in the male-dominated world of hip-hop, also took best new artist.

"A couple of months ago, a lot of people were saying, 'You are gambling your career, you are having a baby'... but I had the baby and now I still win an award," she told the crowd.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LOOK: Lorde wears Lhuillier at VMA 'blue' carpet

New Zealand songstress Lorde went for the princess look at MTV's Video Music Awards. Lorde wore an ethereal strapless lilac Monique Lhuillier gown that tumbled to the floor in a trail of feathers at Sunday night's gala in Los Angeles.

Both Lorde and Lhuillier posted the "blue"-carpet look on their respective Instagram accounts.

-- Report from Agence France-Presse

source: news.abs-cbn.com

At MTV VMAs, cleavage, tons of sparkle and Wonder Woman

MTV's Video Music Awards have produced some unforgettable red carpet moments in the past -- Lady Gaga's red meat dress, Shakira's furkini top and Madonna's white lace "Like a Virgin" dress with BOY TOY buckle spring to mind.

Sunday night's gala in Los Angeles did not produce one of those "wow" moments, but a few stars gave it their all on the red carpet -- or the blue carpet, in this case.

Here are some highlights:


KATY PERRY, CHAMELEON

Host Katy Perry rocked a number of looks, from her sculptural, low-cut white one-shoulder gown with a chic train by Stephane Rolland to her grand entrance on stage in MTV's iconic "Moonman" costume.

"I'm terrified," the 27-year-old pop diva -- looking feisty with her short blonde pixie haircut -- said before the show. "I'm not very good at speaking."

At one point in the show, she came out with a doll in a baby carrier -- a nod to the many stars from Pink to DJ Khaled who attended the ceremony with their children.

She finished the show by performing her hit single "Swish Swish" in a short white dress embellished with a sparkling basketball at her waist.

BAD GIRLS

Music royalty are certainly never afraid to show skin.

Rapper Nicki Minaj -- who has rocked the VMAs red carpet over the years in everything from a space-age purple jumpsuit to a sexy navy blue gown with tons of cutouts and mesh -- did not disappoint this year, showing up in a pink latex jumpsuit.

The ensemble showcased her ample curves -- and she died her hair pink to match.

Tons of bling -- diamonds, if you please -- finished off the look.

Paris Jackson, the daughter of late "King of Pop" Michael Jackson who presented an award, chose a beige Christian Dior dress with a see-through embroidered tulle skirt and hot pants underneath.

And Demi Lovato went for a daring black lace Zuhair Murad bodysuit that left little to the imagination, paired with glittering black harem pants.

A FEW PRINCESSES

On the other end of the sartorial spectrum, New Zealand songstress Lorde went for the princess look with an ethereal strapless lilac Monique Lhuillier gown that tumbled to the floor in a trail of feathers.

And Kesha, whose first album in five years came out this month, floated on stage in a gauzy pale pink gown with layers of tulle cascading to the floor.

Kesha did not perform on Sunday, but presented an award, and made an impassioned speech about suicide prevention -- one of the many social issues tackled during the gala.

WONDER WOMAN HERSELF

The final award of the night for Video of the Year, which went to rapper Kendrick Lamar, was presented by none other than Gal Gadot, the star of one of the summer's biggest hit movies, "Wonder Woman."

And the Israeli actress looked every bit the warrior princess -- a ladylike one -- in a midnight blue Prabal Gurung cocktail dress with delicate, sparkling paillettes and just the right amount of see-through detailing.

"Elated & grateful. My childhood dream of dressing #WonderWoman came true," Gurung said on Twitter.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

MTV to let stars loose in an unscripted awards extravaganza

NEW YORK -- The MTV Video Music Awards have long been more about the show than the actual winners, and this year the network will go all-out by letting the stars run wild.

Stepping back from award ceremonies' traditional penchant for down-to-the-second scripts, MTV producers said they have simply selected the artists for Sunday's extravaganza and will leave it to them to decide what to do.

The show, to be broadcast to more than 120 countries, will provide an open platform for outspoken stars including rapper Kanye West, who used last year's show to announce, however improbably, that he will run for president in 2020.

The setup could encourage the outlandish -- or allow for more serious gestures in a year marked by global conflict, souring race relations in the West, and one of the most foul-toned US presidential elections ever.

"Last year we took a bit more of a playful approach. This year it's like this is a canvas for artists -- not just for their art but for their statements, what they believe is going on in the world," said Erik Flannigan, an executive producer of the show.

"You've got to strike a balance between topicality and being heavy -- and this is also a gigantic party. We kind of want to do both," he told AFP.

After shock diva Miley Cyrus took much of the limelight as last year's MC in Los Angeles, the awards do not plan a single host, spreading the duties to a wide cast.

The show, which kicks off at 9 pm (0100 GMT Monday), will for the first time take place in New York's iconic Madison Square Garden.

Scheduled performers include R&B chart-topper Rihanna, who will receive the Video Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement, as well as pop idols Ariana Grande and Britney Spears and rappers Nicki Minaj, Common and Future.

BEYONCE TOPS NOMINATIONS

Pop icon Beyonce tops the nominations at 11 amid acclaim for "Lemonade," her intertwined film and album.

She is followed by Adele, who was nominated in eight categories. All but one were for the English singer/songwriter's blockbuster ballad "Hello," the first music video in the high-resolution IMAX format.

Other nominees for Video of the Year include West's controversial "Famous," in which the rapper boasts that superstar Taylor Swift may sleep with him because "I made that bitch famous."

Defying her protests over the song, West made a video that shows a naked woman with a striking resemblance to Swift -- as well as a naked rendering of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump -- in bed with him.

Bad blood has grown after West's wife, reality television star Kim Kardashian, aired footage in which the rapper asks Swift for permission to record the song.

Swift insisted she never gave her green light. But viewers will not see her squirming at the VMAs, which Kardashian will also attend.

Swift -- the key winner both at last year's VMAs and the latest Grammys -- is not scheduled to come.

VIDEOS STILL RELEVANT?

Beyonce was nominated for Video of the Year for "Formation," the most politically charged single of her career.

The video, shot in New Orleans, offers solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality with officers depicted raising their arms as if under arrest.

But "Formation" marked a comparatively rare political statement from a VMA nominee or on MTV, which revolutionized the music business through videos in the 1980s but has since shifted more generally to youth-oriented programming.

Another exception is Lukas Graham, a Danish band nominated for Best New Artist that has crafted a pop realism through tales of a childhood spent on the economic margins.

"There is very little cultural or political provocation, which is a pity," frontman Lukas Forchhammer said of the bulk of award-nominated music.

"Our art in a sense is quite revolutionary," he said. "We're talking about growing up in regular families, dreaming about better things, instead of popping bottles in the club and spending a lot of money that you don't have while living in your mother's basement."

But Forchhammer, whose song "7 Years" has become a viral global hit, said that MTV still offered a powerful outlet for rising artists.

Videos, with their investment in visuals, allow bands to cultivate an audience beyond casual listeners on streaming services, he said.

"Where MTV once had a monopoly, now the video is more like extra content for the fan," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pop's ladies lead MTV VMAs with raunchy moves, tears

INGLEWOOD, California -- With some twerking and shaking, the leading ladies of pop music dominated the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, while an emotional Miley Cyrus and a touching moment between Beyonce and her family led the Moonman award wins of the night.

Cyrus, who set tongues wagging last year with her raunchy "twerking" during her VMAs performance, won the night's top prize for video of the year for "Wrecking Ball," in which she cavorted naked on a wrecking ball.

She opted not to collect her award, instead sitting in the audience and holding back tears while sending a homeless young man named Jesse to collect her award.

"I've cleaned your hotels rooms, I've been an extra in your movies, I've been an extra in your life. Though I may have been invisible to you in the streets, I have many of the same dreams that brought many of you here tonight," the young man said.

Earlier on the red carpet, Cyrus said she "retired" her grinding explicit dance moves. But while Cyrus has retired the twerk, rapper Nicki Minaj brought her rump-grinding to kick off the show with hip hop song "Anaconda," scantily clad and twerking against a jungle-themed backdrop.

Since launching in 1984, Viacom-owned MTV's VMAs have become synonymous with irreverence and unscripted moments that have become part of music history, and all eyes were on whoever delivered the most outrageous or unplanned stunt.

Beyonce, delivered the night's most touching moment when accepting the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award for her lifetime achievement in music from her husband, rapper Jay Z, who called her the "greatest living entertainer."

Jay Z, carrying the couple's daughter Blue Ivy, then shared a sweet kiss on stage with his wife, who was overcome with emotion, saying "I have nothing to say, I am so full from gratitude."

The singer, dressed in a sparkly bodysuit and surrounded by large screens and silhouetted dancers, performed a mini-concert of her hits including "Haunted" "Drunk in Love," "Partition" and "Blue," her ode to her daughter.

Beyonce picked up three other awards: best collaboration for "Drunk in Love" with Jay Z, and best cinematography and video with a social message for "Pretty Hurts."

Pop music's ladies delivered high-octane performances throughout the night. Ariana Grande kicked off the show with "Break Free" before joining Minaj and Jessie J for "Bang Bang."

Taylor Swift debuted her upbeat first single "Shake It Off" from her upcoming pop album "1989," while Azalea and British singer Rita Ora performed their sultry track "Black Widow."

In stark comparison to the over-the-top performances by the ladies of pop on the VMAs stage, British newcomer Sam Smith used a bare set to showcase his voice on his hit "Stay With Me," while rockers Maroon 5 performed "Maps" outside of the newly renovated Forum theater in Inglewood, with hundreds of fans.

The presenters also got in on the fun, with Jim Carrey tumbling on stage while announcing best pop video with Jeff Daniels. "Saturday Night Live" cast member Jay Pharoah impersonated Jay Z and Kanye West.

Other top winners of the fan-voted awards included Katy Perry landing the best female video Moonman for the Cleopatra-themed music video for "Dark Horse." British singer Ed Sheeran won best male video Moonman "Sing," Lorde won best rock video for "Royals," and Grande won best pop video for "Problem" featuring Azalea.

In the tightly contested Artist to Watch category, girl group Fifth Harmony's "Miss Movin' On" beat out Australian boyband 5 Seconds of Summer, rapper Schoolboy Q and British singers Sam Smith and Charlie XCX.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

2012 Video Music Awards To Take Over Staples Center

The MTV Video Music Awards are moving to the home of the Lakers: Staples Center in Los Angeles.

That's right. On Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the 2012 VMAs will take over Staples for the first time, making the big show even bigger — if that's possible. The epicenter of the L.A. sports and entertainment universe is just the latest iconic venue the VMAs have called home, joining a list that includes New York's Radio City Music Hall, the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and American Airlines Arena in Miami.

It's fitting the 2012 VMAs are moving to Staples; after all, they'll need a big house to match the big-time impact of last year's show, which scored MTV's biggest audience in the network's history with a record-breaking 12.4 million viewers and were also the most tweeted-about awards show ever — no doubt fueled by Lady Gaga's Jo Calderone and, of course, Beyoncé's famous onstage reveal of her baby bump.

But before you get too excited for the VMAs, don't forget the 2012 MTV Movie Awards, airing live Sunday, June 3, from Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. Russell Brand — a two-time VMA host — has been tapped to helm this year's Movie Awards.

source: mtv.com

Lady Gaga lettuce dress proposal; Michael Jackson, this year's biggest earner

MAILA, Philippines – First it was the meat dress. Now will Lady Gaga be wearing one made of lettuce soon?

That’s what Indian animal rights activists have been asking Lady Gaga to do as the pop superstar visits India this weekend to grace the unveiling of the country’s first Formula 1 race.

PETA India is hoping that the “Born This Way” singer would honor India’s reverence for animals by turning vegetarian for the duration of her visit and to pose for photos in a lettuce gown to promote the importance of refraining from eating meat.

Lady Gaga, in one of her more outrageous fashion statements, famously wore a dress made of meat at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.

“If she agrees, we’ll make her a dress entirely of lettuce and held together by pins and threads. It will be a full length gown, and we’ll make sure it looks sexy. The dress would be constructed leaf by leaf [on] the singer’s body, taking some five to six hours and someone will be on hand to spray water on the lettuce so that it doesn’t wilt.” said Sachin Bangera of PETA India.

Lady Gaga will be performing at an invitation-only show in a five-star hotel in New Delhi as one of the highlights after the country holds its first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix race.

***

Michael Jackson is number one in life and in death.

For a second straight year, Michael Jackson racked up enough earnings to be hailed as the world’s top dead earner. This according to a list compiled by Forbes magazine of stars whose earning power remains beyond the grave.

The “Thriller” singer, who died two years ago at the age of 50, brought in $170 million for his estate for the past year. This places him ahead of almost every pop music act, both living and dead, as the biggest earner. Jackson only fell short of beating super rock band U2.

The King of Pop beat the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley, who came in second at $55 million because of his song catalog and a hit Las Vegas stage production featuring his songs by Cirque De Soleil. Coming in at third was eternal hottie Marilyn Monroe, who earned $27 million in earnings over the past year.

Forbes consulted agents, lawyers and other experts to come up with the year's 15 deceased top earners.

The list also contains cartoonist Charles Schulz of “Peanuts” characters fame while another rock and roll legend, John Lennon of the The Beatles, and screen legend Elizabeth Taylor both earned around $12 million in revenues.

Completing the macabre Forbes list is theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, children’s book author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, writer Stieg Larsson, actor Steve McQueen, composer Richard Rodgers, who all also earned substantially.

Beatle George Harrison, American pin-up girl Bettie Page and pop art creator Andy Warhol rounds up the list.

source: mb.com.ph

Gaga's no 'lady' alter ego stars in MTV VMA 2011

MANILA, Philippines – What better way to top off her meat dress in last year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) but to come out this year garbed in dirty white T-shirt, black pants and wearing a pompadour circa John Travolta in “Grease.”

Instead of donning a typical uber-flamboyant, if not outlandish outfit, Lady Gaga came in on Sunday’s awards night in Los Angeles as Jo Calderone, Gaga's male alter-ego who came straight from the pages of her recent Vogue Hommes Japan spread by photographer Terry Richardson.

A couple of Twitter users voiced their appreciation of Gaga’s ensemble.

“Bieber was just pissed because he knows Jo Calderone is more or a man than he will ever be. So impressed with @ladygaga,” said Debbie (@Mama4Gaga).

While Garret (@hausofgarret) quoted veteran singer Tony Bennett in his post saying, "'If Lady Gaga Jo Calderone in the opening of the MTV awards was in a film, she should have won an Oscar’ -Tony Bennett."

Apart from Twitter users, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) advocates in the US also sounded off regarding Gaga’s VMA alter ego.

"I thought it was great," John Polly, editor of Logo's pop culture blog NewNowNext.com, told MTV News in their Aug. 30 article. "Gender issues are often the most challenging for people, so I liked that she dove into it and stuck with it throughout the show," he added.

Host and creator of “Mr. Transman,” a female-to-male (FTM) competition and a popular New York drag-king and comedian, Murray Hill said "There is barely any visibility for FTM, drag kings and lesbians on television. There is a huge imbalance."

"For Lady Gaga, the biggest pop star in the world, to go on TV with millions of people watching in drag as a man and then to actually say 'lesbian and transgender' live is undeniably powerful and creates change. She ups the visibility big time and gets the language into the mainstream," he enthused.

While some loved the singer's male counterpart, a few netizens thought that the scene-stealer Calderone was an embarrassment and a rip off, in response to TV show, “E! Online’s” (@eonline) question whether or not she just ended her career with the “embarrassing” unveiling of Calderone.

Rickey Peterson (@rickstar253) said, “@eonline I hope so! I can't stand her.”

While Amanda Quig (@amandaquig) responded, “@eonline check out eurythmics singing at the grammys in the 80's same same same same.”

In one of the evenings most memorable moments, while Gaga was belting out her newest single “Yoü and I" with rock legend Brian May of Queen when she accidentally fell off stage and disappeared from sight. The incident happened after she haphazardly sprayed the front row audience with beer which caused the stage’s floor to become slick.

Gaga received this year’s Best Female Video award for “Born This Way.”


Source: mb.com.ph