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MTV VMAs best moments: Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes performance highlights

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello have put on a raunchy show at the MTV VMAs, as Miley Cyrus hits the stage with her breakup song.

Lexie CartwrightLexie Cartwright
@LexieCartwright
3 min read
August 27, 2019 - 12:21PM
Steamy VMAs performance shocks crowd

The MTV VMAs served up an extremely steamy performance between music’s couple of the moment.

Pop singers and ridiculously good looking duo Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello teased their fans by almost pashing about seven times during an intimate performance of their chart-topping song, Señorita.

Will they?
Will they?
Heavens.
Heavens.
We’re waiting?
We’re waiting?

They didn’t end up kissing but their army of diehard fans still lost the plot, including Joe Jonas, who looked like he enjoyed the show.

Earlier in the night this year’s host, comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, was absolutely savaged on Twitter for his cringe-worthy opening monologue, which was more directed at daggy dads as opposed to the typical MTV-viewing millennial.

Maniscalco told the audience that if anyone felt “triggered” there was a “safe space” available backstage at the show. He continued the joke by saying that Lil Nas X’s “horses”, which he refers to in his hit song Old Town Road, were back(stage) and would serve as “emotional support animals”.

Hot tip Maniscalco: Don’t make fun of Millennials to a crowd of Millennials.

Unless you’re into stand-up comedy, you probably don’t know who he is. And after that episode, he no doubt would prefer it stay that way.

It followed a pride-filled performance by Taylor Swift who opened the VMAs in true Taylor Swift style, exploding onto the stage backed by drag queens.

Swift sang songs from her new album You Need To Calm Down and Lover during the colourful, supercharged set to kick off the festivities.

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Taylor Swift. Yes.
Taylor Swift. Yes.
She performed Lover on the guitar.
She performed Lover on the guitar.

It has been 10 years since Swift had her moment stolen at the VMAs by Kanye West, who declared Beyonce deserved to win her award instead.

Well, just look at her now.

That is some stage set. No Kanye in sight.
That is some stage set. No Kanye in sight.

The show, which aired live on Foxtel channel MTV, was held at Prudential Center in New Jersey.

In what was the most anticipated moment of the VMAs, Miley Cyrus hit the stage with her new hit Slide Away, which is understood to be about her breakup with Australian actor Liam Hemsworth.

Aired in black and white, an emotional Cyrus sang the heartbreaker in a stripped back setting, fit with only backup singers and a microphone stand.

Her emotional performance was well received by the crowd with many giving her a standing ovation, which will no doubt ruffle feathers of the Hemsworth camp who have claimed through sources the breakup was Cyrus’ doing.

Miley Cyrus as you don’t often see her.
Miley Cyrus as you don’t often see her.

We were also gifted another Disney Channel flashback as the Jonas Brothers, who recently banded back together after a lengthy hiatus, belted out their newest songs outside the venue, ushering through crowds of screaming girls.

I’ve had that dream.
I’ve had that dream.

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When presenting the award for Video of the Year, which went to multi-winner Taylor Swift for You Need To Calm Down, John Travolta provided this absolute pearler of a moment, attempting to hand the statue to RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, Jade Jolie, who he obviously thought was Swift.

Try not to cringe to death.

The big honour of the night, the Video Vanguard Award, was presented to Missy Elliott in what the industry deemed a long overdue nod.

Rapper Cardi B presented the award, which garnered a standing ovation from the crowd of A-listers and chants of “Missy” echoing through the venue.

“I never thought that I would be standing up here receiving this award. I promise you it don’t go unnoticed the support and love you have shown me over the years,” she said.

Elliott pointedly called the award the “Michael Jackson Video Vanguard” during her acceptance speech, following earlier controversy about the late singer’s name being attached to the award in the wake of the Leaving Neverland scandal.

She also thanked MJ’s sister Janet Jackson for being a true friend during the speech.

Before her speech, the hip-hop veteran and four-time Grammy winner performed a medley of her biggest tracks in a wild set.

Missy Elliott nailing it. Standard.
Missy Elliott nailing it. Standard.

What was your favourite moment from the MTV VMAs? Tell us in the comments below...

Originally published as MTV VMAs best moments: Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes performance highlights

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