Lady Gaga wins big at socially distanced - and socially aware - VMAs

NEW YORK, United States - Lady Gaga cleaned up at MTV's Video Music Awards Sunday, an unorthodox show that paid socially distanced homage to New York City as themes of voting and racial justice punctuated the night.

The 2020 VMAs -- a show known more for ostentatious performances, made-for-Twitter moments and wild costumes than the actual awards -- was scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic, with performances held at outdoor spaces and many celebrities accepting prizes via video.

Host Keke Palmer, known for her role in last year's film "Hustlers," opened the show with an emotional cold-open paying tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, who just died after of cancer.

"We dedicate tonight's show to a man whose spirit touched so many," she said of the performer who portrayed James Brown and Jackie Robinson, and was the first Black superhero in "Black Panther." 

Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd -- whose wins included the coveted Video of The Year -- then launched into a performance of the hit "Blinding Lights" atop a viewing deck protruding off a Manhattan skyscraper, 1,000 feet in the air.

"It's really hard for me to celebrate right now," he said in accepting his moon man trophy for Best R&B. 

"I'm just going to say justice for Jacob Blake and justice for Breonna Taylor," he continued, referring to recent black victims of police violence.

It was one of many nods to the Black Lives Matter movement, acknowledging a year that has seen months of anti-racism protests. 

Several stars also encouraged voting during the show where the Joe Biden campaign bought a number of advertisements in a bid to reach youth in his campaign against President Donald Trump.

Lady Gaga took home trophies including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for "Rain on Me," her collaboration with Ariana Grande.

The pair staged a futuristic performance atop the Empire State Building, both masked, with Gaga in a BDSM-esque corseted get-up, one of her many eccentric costumes of the night. 

The 34-year-old -- who famously wore a dress crafted of raw flank steak to the 2010 VMAs -- also won the show's inaugural "Tricon Award," which recognizes an artist who is highly accomplished across three or more disciplines.

"This has not been an easy year for a lot of people, but what I see in the world is a massive triumph of courage," she said. 

"Stay safe. Speak your mind and, I might sound like a broken record, but wear a mask. It's a sign of respect."

EXEMPT FROM QUARANTINE

The show featured sweeping pans of New York, a city devastated in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic and that originally was meant to host the VMAs at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

In addition to the Empire State Building, performances were also held at the waterfront Skyline Drive-in theater, with an audience watching from spaced-out cars.

Performers and crew at this year's VMAs were exempt from New York's statewide mandatory two-week quarantine imposed on travelers coming from areas with high rates of Covid-19.

The state's Department of Health said those involved with the show were required to quarantine when not working and submit to "rigorous testing."

This year's edition included new awards recognizing the tumultuous year in music, with the pandemic halting tours and festivals worldwide in a devastating blow to the industry.

The show also honored healthcare workers with a tribute to doctors and nurses singing and dancing in crowd-sourced videos.

Grande and fellow pop star Justin Bieber won Best Music Video From Home for "Stuck With You," while Latin boy band CNCO won Best Quarantine Performance for "Unplugged At Home."

And while American pop regulars including Gaga, Grande and Taylor Swift all took home trophies, they were upset in their genre's primary category by Korean megastars BTS, which won for Best Pop for "On."

The group held a green-screen performance that placed them in front of the Brooklyn Bridge in a shot recalling the classic film "Once Upon A Time in America" that starred Robert DeNiro.

Miley Cyrus meanwhile performed "Midnight Sky" while swinging on a disco ball, recalling her "Wrecking Ball" music video.

Colombian singer Maluma won Best Latin for "Que Pena" featuring J Balvin, as R&B prodigy H.E.R. won MTV's Video For Good, which honors work with a social message, for "I Can't Breathe."

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion -- currently basking in the glow of her recent success with Cardi B for their raunchy hit "WAP" -- won Best Hip Hop for "Savage."

The star accepted her award from home, popping champagne wearing spandex shorts and a T-shirt.

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Taylor Swift, Cardi B, Missy Elliott bring girl power to Video Music Awards show

Taylor Swift picked up two awards, including video of the year, in a girl-powered start to the MTV Video Music Awards show on Monday, while rapper Cardi B won best hip-hop video and newcomer Lizzo celebrated big women.

Swift opened the show with a rainbow-themed performance of her pro-LGBTQ single "You Need to Calm Down," followed by her first live performance of the romantic ballad "Lover," the lead single from her new, and already best-selling, album of the same name.

"You Need to Calm Down" brought the country-turned-pop singer one of the top prizes -- video of the year -- being handed out during Monday's ceremony. It also took the "video for good" statuette for songs that have raised awareness.

Accepting the video of the year award, Swift said that since the VMAs are chosen by fans, "it means that you want a world where we are all treated equally under the law."

Swift and pop singer Ariana Grande went into the fan-voted ceremony in Newark, New Jersey, with a leading 10 nominations each and also were competing for song of the year, best pop, and video of the year.

Grande, currently on tour in Europe and absent from Monday's show, is also a contender for the top award -- artist of the year -- along with Cardi B, 17-year-old alternative pop newcomer Billie Eilish, Halsey, the Jonas Brothers and Shawn Mendes.

Cardi B beat out a male-dominated lineup to win best hip-hop video for "Money," and ended a delighted acceptance speech saying: "Thank you, Jesus."

The outspoken rapper was also on hand to present Missy Elliott with this year's Vanguard Award for career achievement, calling her "a champion for women who want to be doing their own thing."

Best new artist contender Lizzo, enjoying a breakout year, performed her hits "Truth Hurts" and "Good as Hell" in a yellow sequined bodysuit, accompanied by plus-size dancers, in a message for body positivity.

Mendes and Camila Cabello stoked reports they are dating in real life with a steamy live version of their romantic duet "Senorita," which reached No. 1 this week on the Billboard singles charts.

Male winners included Korean boy band BTS, who won for best K-Pop; the recently reunited Jonas Brothers, who paid tribute to their New Jersey roots with a performance from Asbury Park; newcomer Lil Nas; and Mendes.

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K-pop fans unhappy as Swift, Grande lead VMA nominations

LOS ANGELES -- Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande dominated nominations on Tuesday for the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) with 10 apiece, but some K-pop fans cried foul when best-selling Korean bands were placed in a separate category.

Grande's breakup anthem "thank u, next" and Swift's "You Need to Calm Down," in which she criticizes social media trolls and those who attack LGBTQ people, will contend for the top prizes of song of the year, best pop and video of the year.

Grande also got a nod for artist of the year along with rapper Cardi B, 17-year-old newcomer Billie Eilish, Halsey, the Jonas Brothers and Shawn Mendes.

Korean boy band BTS, which has led a K-pop music wave in the United States and scored three No.1 albums on the Billboard chart in the past year, got just 4 nods, including 3 in the newly created K-pop category.

"bts outsold,,,, EVERY SINGLE,,, artist in the artist of the year category but the vmas didn’t wanna see that so they made a whole new category just to not acknowledge the power and influence bts has had over the whole industry," tweeted a BTS fan called Chioma.

"I am getting so sick of the westerners not giving BTS the due respect. They ignore stats, facts, achievements, charts and the people as well," a user called Shivani Shintre posted on Twitter.

MTV did not return a call for comment.

Fans vote on the winners of the VMA awards, which will be announced at a show in Newark, New Jersey, on August 26, but they do not vote on the nominations.

"Boy With Luv," a collaboration between BTS and American singer Halsey, received nods for best collaboration, art direction and choreography.

Other nominees in the K-pop field include girl band BlackPink, Monsta X, NCT 127, EXO and Tomorrow X Together.

The new Video for Good field features songs deemed to have raised awareness. It includes Swift's "You Need to Calm Down," Halsey's female-empowering "Nightmare," Lil Dicky's environmentally themed "Earth" and John Legend's "Preach" about social injustices.

Other nominees in the category include The Killers' "Land Of The Free," a protest against US President Donald Trump's planned wall on the US-Mexican border, and "Runaway Train" about missing children.

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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.

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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.

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Beyonce storms VMAs, Rihanna gets lifetime award

NEW YORK -- Beyonce dominated the MTV Video Music awards on Sunday, prowling the stage with a 15-minute medley from her powerful "Lemonade" album and taking home eight statuettes, including the top prize - video of the year.

On a night when women ruled, Britney Spears returned to the VMA stage for the first time in a decade, and Rihanna performed four times to mark her lifetime achievement award.

Beyonce brought the house down at New York's Madison Square Garden, stringing together five of her "Lemonade" album tracks about betrayal, revenge and female empowerment in a song and dance routine that brought a long standing ovation.

VMA organizers had announced only three hours before Sunday's show began that Beyonce would perform. The singer arrived on the red carpet accompanied by the mothers of three African-American men who have died at the hands of U.S. police in the past two years.

Her politically charged "Formation" beat Adele's 2015 comeback single "Hello," Drake's "Hotline Bling," Justin Bieber's "Sorry" and Kanye West's sleeping nude celebrity look-alikes in "Famous" for video of the year.

She also won best female video and prizes for choreography, editing, and long form video in the awards that are voted on by fans.

Where Beyonce was angry and bold, Spears, 34, dressed in a sparkly gold leotard and matching over the knee boots was slinky retro pop. It was the "Toxic" singer's first time on the VMA stage since her humiliating 2007 performance when her personal and professional life was falling apart, and follows the release of a new album last week.

Rihanna, 28, sang 13 of the biggest hits in her 13-year career, including "Rude Girl," "Diamonds" and "Only Girl in the World." She was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award by Canadian rapper Drake - with whom she has often been romantically linked.

"She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old. She's one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life, I've looked up to her even though she's younger than me," said Drake.

Fifth Harmony, the five-girl group that won TV talent show "The X Factor," took home two "Moonman" awards.

Kanye West, who has often hijacked the live VMA show, presented a new video for his single "Fade." West preceded the video with a rambling, improvised speech that touched on poverty, his wife Kim Kardashian, his long-running feud with Taylor Swift, and violence in black neighborhoods.

"We are undeniably the influencers, the thought leaders," he said, before screening what he called a "piece of my art."

Many of pop music's biggest names, including Justin Bieber, Britain's Adele and Taylor Swift were absent on Sunday.

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