(Image via thewrap.com)
Editor: Alexandra D’Eon
Email: adeon@umassd.edu
This year’s MTV Video Music Awards was held on September 11, 2024, with many A-list celebrities in attendance.
On the red carpet, there were many eye-catching looks.
Chappell Roan was the talk of the red carpet, dressed by Y/Projects for her stunning renaissance-esque look featuring a sword and metal nails.
Chappell Roan also turned heads on the red carpet by standing up to the paparazzi and yelling at a photographer who told her to “Shut the f–k up.” Chappell defended herself, yelling back, “You shut the f–k up! Not me, bi–h.”
Katy Perry’s outfit was designed by Who Decides War from their Spring 2025 collection. The look was inspired by Victorian fashion and gave her fans a heads-up for her new album, with a QR code to the pre-sale of her album on her back.
Another gorgeous look on the red carpet was Sabrina Carpenter’s vintage-inspired look; Madonna originally wore her Bob Mackie dress at the 1991 Academy Awards.
Megan Thee Stallion hosted the event and dressed in homage to Britney Spears’ iconic performance of “I’m A Slave 4 U.”
Taylor Swift swept the ceremony, taking home seven awards and bringing her total VMA wins in her career to 30.
Swift now shares the record for most VMA awards with Beyoncé.
There were also upsets during the night; many on social media rallied for Lady Gaga to win the “Most Iconic Performance” award for her rendition of “Paparazzi” at the 2009 MTV VMA ceremony.
However, Katy Perry won the category with her performance of “Roar” at the 2013 VMAs.
Many artists performed at the ceremony, including Eminem, Katy Perry, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Camila Cabello.
Sabrina Carpenter and Camila Cabello were highly anticipated to perform at the ceremony with their recent drama following the release of Carpenter’s song, “Taste.”
Sabrina’s performance was the second nod to Britney Spears during the night, with the beginning of her performance featuring the audio of the “Oops!..I Did it Again,” revealing an astronaut on the stage with Carpenter. Sabrina kisses a female alien during the performance, stealing her from the astronaut.
She performed “Please, Please, Please,” “Taste,” and “Espresso” during her performance.
Camila Cabello seemingly clapped back at Sabrina during her performance, singing her song “June Gloom,” which was allegedly about the blonde singer’s relationship with Cabello’s boyfriend, Shawn Mendes.
Chappell Roan sang her hit song “Good Luck, Babe!” dressed as Joan of Arc in a blazing performance. Chappell appeared on stage dressed as the martyr with a fiery crossbow. The stage erupted in flames, and she was joined by backup dancers dressed as knights.
Katy Perry also performed a mash-up of some of her most famous songs, including: “Dark Horse,” “California Girls,” and “I Kissed a Girl.”
Perry was awarded the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award in the form of the “Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.”
Without further ado, here is a list of the night’s winners:
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
VMAs Most Iconic Performance: Katy Perry – “Roar”
Best Collaboration: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
Song of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
Song of the Summer: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
Best Trending Video: Megan Thee Stallion ft. Yuki Chiba – “Mamushi”
Best Video for Good: Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?”
Best Choreography: Dua Lipa – “Houdini”
Best Cinematography: Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
Best R&B: SZA – “Snooze”
Best Latin: Anitta – “Mil Veces”
Best K-Pop: LISA – “Rockstar”
Best Pop: Taylor Swift
Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem – “Houdini”
Best Afrobeats Video: Tyla – “Water”
Best Alternative: Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things”
Best Rock: Lenny Kravitz – “Human”