MTV VMAs 2020: Viewers confused over Black Eyed Peas performance

While the VMAs red carpet boasted plenty of near-nude looks, the Black Eyed Peas took it to another level with this bizarre fashion choice.

Viewers were left cringing by a wardrobe choice that drew the eye decidedly south during the Black Eyed Peas’ MTV VMAs closing performance.

Gracing the stage to round out the COVID-friendly ceremony – the first major awards ceremony of the pandemic era – the group performed with red glowing crotches.

RELATED: Follow our live coverage of the MTV VMAs

Performing Vida Loca off of their latest album, Translation, with an additional snippet of I Gotta Feeling, fans were well and truly focused on Will. I.Am, Taboo and Apl. De. Ap’s white pants as they thrusted and gyrated around the stage like it was the mid-noughties.

Those watching along at home found it hard to escape the illuminated genitalia, given the camera repeatedly zoomed in on the area.

As many pointed out, it was an odd moment:

Why do the Black Eyed Peas have light up crotches...no one is horny for them #VMA #VMAs #VMAStanCam pic.twitter.com/fEqY53q4te

— 𝙳𝙴𝚅𝙾𝙽 / 𝚂𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙴 (@devonaura) August 31, 2020

Okay, I am sorry but the light up crotch Black Eyed Peas dance thing reminded me of a Saturday Night Live skit. 😬😅😂

— HeyItsMasquerain (@HeyItsMayBug) August 31, 2020

Who authorized the crotch lights on the Black Eyed Peas and can they be fired

— 🌸Min⁷🌸 (@call_me_min) August 31, 2020

My actual face about the Black-Eyed Peas’ light-up crotch costumes (but with really mediocre red lighting otherwise). I am just... confused. Who thought this was a good idea? pic.twitter.com/W28PclblLH

— Liz (@edgeofme) August 31, 2020

Lmao what is this black eyed peas performance. I’m cringing with the crotch closeups 😂

— dannyrad28 (@dannyrad28) August 31, 2020

I feel personally victimized by the Fergie-less Black Eyed Peas and their thrusting crotch lights. #VMAs

— ryancbrinson (@RyanCBrinson) August 31, 2020

This Black Eyed Peas light ho crotch moment is: #VMAs pic.twitter.com/9EEuNIjtF5

— حيدر (@helshemari) August 31, 2020

The performance came with some help from Tyga and a sky-sized projection of Nicky Jam, and was a first for the Black Eyed Peas, who had only ever played the VMAs pre-show 15 years ago.

Closing out the show, Will. I.Am left the audience with a series of powerful messages, as well as a tribute to Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman, 43, who died after a private battle with colon cancer on Friday.

“Wanna send love to the first responders and the freedom fighters. I know it’s tough right now but we gotta keep the love alive.”

“Wakanda forever,” he later added, quoting Boseman’s familiar Black Panther salute.

“Black Lives Matter,” he said before leaving the stage,

Nominations today came in for Eminem’s Godzilla, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s Rain on Me, The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights, Billie Eilish’s Everything I Wanted, Taylor Swift’s The Man and Future and Drake with Life is Good.

Lady Gaga swept many awards, but it was The Weeknd who scored Video of the Year for Blinding Lights.

Originally published as MTV VMAs 2020: Viewers confused over Black Eyed Peas performance