The event was held both virtually and in person, it was filmed without a live audience. Most of the performances were recorded in advance due to health guidelines. Many celebrities attended the event including Bella Hadid, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and more.
.@MileyCyrus turned her wrecking ball into a #MidnightSky disco ball for her #VMAs performance, and I'm obsessed pic.twitter.com/B1gtwO0AiJ
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) August 31, 2020
Performers of the VMA’s were exempt from New York’s normal COVID-19 quarantine rules and did not have to do the full two-week quarantine. The VMA’s applied through DOH to allow individuals that are part of cast and crew are required to adhere to strict procedures that include quarantining when not working, wearing masks, and social distancing and rigorous testing during their stay.
There were many huge moments of the VMA’s including, Lady Gaga winning the first-ever MTV Tricon award, which is an award MTV invented just for her. It was given to her for being a triple-icon in music, acting, fashion, and activism.
How inspirational was @ladygaga's Tricon Award acceptance speech?! We are still in awe! #VMAs pic.twitter.com/XKoDxSJiEs
— MTV (@MTV) August 31, 2020
The Weeknd called for justice with his speech for winning video of the year for “Blinding Lights.” “Justice for Jacob Blake. Justice for Breonna Taylor.”
.@theweeknd just won Video of the Year at the 2020 #VMAs for his #BlindingLights video: "It's hard to celebrate, so I'm just going to say justice for Jacob Blake and justice for Breonna Taylor" pic.twitter.com/UxZoXyK9Wz
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) August 31, 2020
Rapper, DaBaby, made a powerful statement about police brutality, and his performance started off with the rapper wearing the Lakers colors as a tribute to Kobe Bryant and dancing. The performance then shifted, and he was arrested, handcuffed, and placed in the back of a police car.
The VMA’s also announced that the award show was dedicated to Chadwick Boseman, who recently passed away after four years of fighting colon cancer.
Tonight's #VMAs are dedicated to Chadwick Boseman who knew the true meaning of being a hero, on and off-screen. In 2015, he talked to us about going above and beyond as an individual to understand someone else, and reconcile pre-conceived notions #RIPChadwickBoseman pic.twitter.com/ItCe3I5OSC
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) August 31, 2020
Did you see highlights from the MTV Video Music awards?
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