MTV VMAs ceremony highlights, winners list
Viewers have hit out at MTV for seemingly censoring an X-rated performance from rock band Maneskin during the VMAs.
Music’s wildest night has wrapped, with the MTV VMAs taking over New Jersey today.
The annual awards ceremony aired on Foxtel’s MTV channel, with LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow co-hosting the festivities.
And Italian glam rock band Maneskin managed to yank the spotlight, with frontman Damiano David hitting the stage in a G-string and chaps in a sexually-charged performance of their song Supermodel.
oh, and this. @thisismaneskin#VMAspic.twitter.com/gItxpIExlq
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 29, 2022
Controversy has since erupted online following the Eurovision winners’ showing, with viewers accusing MTV of tricky editing to censor the X-rated set.
I’m sorry but Maneskin ATE this performance up, there was no need to censor Damiano #VMAs#Maneskinpic.twitter.com/6RAFrKWOkx
— lesly_in_wonderland💎 (@LLG1205) August 29, 2022
Ok, this Maneskin performance might be THE moment of the VMAs and I don't even like this band, Cameras cut away for more than 50% of that and based on the singer's outfit, something might have happened. 😂
— Ændy Todd (@buckwheat328) August 29, 2022
The censors cut to a looped shot of the arena taped before the show. (Watch it back and you'll see a mostly-empty arena.)
— John R Kennedy (@JRK_Media) August 29, 2022
I mean, Nicky can simulate masturbating on stage, but Victoria de Maneskin can't show a covered nipple? seriously VMAS????#VMAs#supermodel#maneskinpic.twitter.com/SjWzklazvL
— Mimiano (@amestarboom) August 29, 2022
Right after Maneskin’s set, Artist of the Year winner Bad Bunny also appeared to fall victim to intentional editing.
The Puerto Rican rapper stunned the audience when he kissed one of his male back-up dancers, before cameras cut to a wide angle.
BAD BUNNY JUST KISSED A GUY ON STAGE I REPEAT BAD BUNNY JUST KISSED A GUY ON STAGE pic.twitter.com/39VMKRSpWY
— Beethó (@starrrnova) August 29, 2022
Now why did they change the camera angle when Bad bunny kissed the boy pic.twitter.com/huAsxU64RF
— Indigo 💙 (@PrettyBoyIndigo) August 29, 2022
hey @vmas y’all cut a man revealing his ass but let all the women do the same, you let a woman grind on a man in a thong but bad bunny can’t harmlessly kiss a man without y’all cutting the cameras——— y’all are giving homophobic baby what’s going on?
— calli 🖤 is ready for VMA’s (@luvzmont) August 29, 2022
One of the key winners of the night, who else but Taylor Swift?
The pop powerhouse made a surprise appearance at the awards ceremony, where she accepted the awards for Best Video and Best Longform Video for the 10 minute version of her heartbreak anthem, All Too Well.
As part of her acceptance speech, she had some major news for fans - she’s releasing what will be her 10th studio album on October 21.
“For the first time in VMA history four directors nominated in the Video of the Year category are women,” Swift began.
“I know with every second of this moment that we wouldn’t have been able to make this short film if it weren’t for you. The fans.
“I wouldn’t be able to re-record my albums if it weren’t for you. You emboldened me to do that.”
And here it is, the big announcement: “I had made up my mind that if you were going to be this generous and give us this [award], I thought it might be a fun moment to tell you that my brand new album comes October 21st.
“I’ll tell you more at midnight.”
Swift, 32, has been busy re-recording her past albums in recent years, but hasn’t released brand new music since evermore in late 2020.
Elsewhere, it turns out earlier reports were true. Johnny Dep did indeed make a surprise cameo.
In what was being touted as a mainstream “comeback” for the 59-year-old actor, he featured briefly at the beginning of the show as the Moonman statue.
In scenes that were in stark contrast to the Virginia court room he spent five weeks in back in May, Depp’s unusually clean-cut face was superimposed inside the astronaut costume, which was held by wires above the stage.
Johnny Depp appears as the moon person at the #VMAs. https://t.co/K3f4GrgiuJpic.twitter.com/S0dkWrR6mr
— Variety (@Variety) August 29, 2022
The Pirates of the Caribbean star then made a cheeky joke about needing work in what was clearly a pre-recorded segment.
“I just want you guys to know I’m available for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, weddings, wakes... Any old thing you need,” Depp was heard saying.
“And you know what? I needed the work.”
Some fans took to Twitter to label the stunt “embarassing.”
i can’t stop laughing, this is what his fans called “johnny depp’s big comeback†pic.twitter.com/6ttPkd5Pjk
— lilian (@liliandaisies) August 29, 2022
Imagine being a Johnny Depp fan who has been calling this Depp's big #VMAs comeback when all it is is his face projected on a helmet. SO Embarrassing. #DVMAspic.twitter.com/xUNQIHfQeX
— LeaveHeardAlone #DARVODepp (@LeaveHeardAlone) August 29, 2022
I started off the night being so mad and upset that Johnny Depp was attending the #VMAs. But now I’m genuinely cracking up because how embarrassing for him and he is being DRAGGED and I’m here for it. #DVMAs#IStandWithAmberHeard#MoonManDepp
— YOU ARE HEARD (@iBelieveYouA) August 29, 2022
johnny depp vmas appearance was....a choice
— Alexa Shouneyia (@ashouneyia) August 29, 2022
Meanwhile, Fergie made her long-awaited comeback to live performing for the first time in four years, opening the show singing one of her biggest hits, Glamorous, where she was joined by Harlow.
The Black Eyed Peas singer wore a sparkling two-set with the words ‘First Class’ emblazoned across her top and skirt.
Snoop Dogg couldn’t have been more on-brand with his performance, which he kicked off holding a massive joint.
The rapper performed alongside Eminem, with the two initially appearing as animated characters before they hit the stage in real-time.
This year’s Video Vanguard honouree, Minaj, performed a full career-spanning medley, starting with her show-stealing verse in the 2010 Kanye West single Monster and ending with a performance of her latest single, the US number one Super Freaky Girl.
Here are the full list of winners:
MTV GLOBAL ICON: Red Hot Chili Peppers
VIDEO VANGUARD AWARD: Nicki Minaj
Video of the Year
Doja Cat – Woman
Drake (featuring Future and Young Thug) – Way 2 Sexy
Ed Sheeran – Shivers
Harry Styles – As It Was
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow – Industry Baby
Olivia Rodrigo – Brutal
WINNER: Taylor Swift – All Too Well: The Short Film
Best New Artist
Baby Keem
WINNER: Dove Cameron
Gayle
Latto
Måneskin
Seventeen
Artist of the Year
WINNER: Bad Bunny
Drake
Ed Sheeran
Harry Styles
Jack Harlow
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Best Rock
Foo Fighters – Love Dies Young
Jack White – Taking Me Back
Muse – Won’t Stand Down
WINNER: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Black Summer
Shinedown – Planet Zero
Three Days Grace – So Called Life
Song of the Summer
Bad Bunny and Chencho Corleone – Me Porto Bonito
Beyoncé – Break My Soul
Charlie Puth (featuring Jungkook) – Left and Right
Doja Cat – Vegas
Future (featuring Drake and Tems) – Wait for U
Harry Styles – Late Night Talking
WINNER: Jack Harlow – First Class
Kane Brown – Grand
Latto and Mariah Carey (featuring DJ Khaled) – Big Energy (Remix)
Lizzo – About Damn Time
Marshmello and Khalid – Numb
Nicki Minaj – Super Freaky Girl
Nicky Youre and dazy – Sunroof
Post Malone (featuring Doja Cat) – I Like You (A Happier Song)
Rosalía – Bizcochito
Steve Lacy – Bad Habit
Best Hip Hop
Eminem and Snoop Dogg – From the D 2 the LBC
Future (featuring Drake and Tems) – Wait for U
Kendrick Lamar – N95
Latto – Big Energy
WINNER: Nicki Minaj (featuring Lil Baby) – Do We Have a Problem?
Pusha T – Diet Coke
Video For Good
Kendrick Lamar – The Heart Part 5
Latto – P*ssy
WINNER: Lizzo – About Damn Time
Rina Sawayama – This Hell
Stromae – Fils de joie
Best K-Pop
BTS – Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)
Itzy – Loco
WINNER: Lisa – Lalisa
Seventeen – Hot
Stray Kids – Maniac
Twice – The Feels
Album of the Year
WINNER: Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Adele – 30
Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Drake – Certified Lover Boy
Best Longform Video
WINNER: Taylor Swift - All Too Well: The Short Film
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles
Foo Fighters – Studio 666
Madonna – Madame X
Kacey Musgraves – Star-Crossed
Olivia Rodrigo – Driving Home 2 U
Best Collaboration
Drake (featuring Future and Young Thug) – Way 2 Sexy
Elton John and Dua Lipa – Cold Heart (Pnau remix)
WINNER: Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow – Industry Baby
Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa – Sweetest Pie
Post Malone and The Weeknd – One Right Now
Rosalía (featuring The Weeknd) – La Fama
The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber – Stay
Song of the Year
Adele – Easy on Me
WINNER: Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Doja Cat – Woman
Elton John and Dua Lipa – Cold Heart (Pnau remix)
Lizzo – About Damn Time
The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber – Stay
Best Pop
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Doja Cat – Woman
Ed Sheeran – Shivers
WINNER: Harry Styles – As It Was
Lizzo – About Damn Time
Olivia Rodrigo – Traitor
Group of the Year
Blackpink
WINNER: BTS
City Girls
Foo Fighters
Imagine Dragons
Måneskin
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Silk Sonic
Best Alternative
Avril Lavigne (featuring Blackbear) – Love It When You Hate Me
Imagine Dragons and JID – Enemy
Machine Gun Kelly (featuring Willow) – Emo Girl
WINNER: Måneskin – I Wanna Be Your Slave
Panic! at the Disco – Viva Las Vengeance
Twenty One Pilots – Saturday
Willow and Avril Lavigne (featuring Travis Barker) – Grow
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