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LADY GAGA dominated the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) show on Sunday, with a series of visually stunning outfits, masked performances, and four wins, including for artist of the year.
Gaga, who entered the show sharing nine top nominations with Ariana Grande, burst into the ceremony with multiple costume changes ranging from an exotic bird to a bright green dress, all accompanied by exaggerated masks and custom-made muzzles.
Canadian artist The Weeknd won top prize for taking Video of the Year for “Blinding Lights.” It also took home the best R&B video award for the same song.
The VMAs marked the first major US awards show that took place during the coronavirus pandemic. It was filmed without a live audience and with most of the performances recorded in advance due to health guidelines.
Host Keke Palmer opened the ceremony by dedicating it to Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman, who passed away on Friday at the age of 43.
On the fan-voted show, Gaga and Grande also won two awards for their collaboration “Rain On Me,” while Gaga received a new lifetime achievement trophy called the Tricon Award.
“This has not been an easy year for many people,” Gaga said. “Stay safe, speak your mind and it may sound like a broken record, but wear a mask.”
America’s national recognition of systemic racism was also on the minds of performers and presenters after months of street protests over black deaths at the hands of the police.
“This is our time to be the change we want to see,” Palmer said. “We need to come together, and music has that power.”
The Weeknd opened the show with a performance on a 300-meter-high terrace overlooking Manhattan, but said he was in no mood for a party.
“It’s really hard for me to celebrate now and enjoy this moment, so I’m just going to say justice for Jacob Blake and justice for Breonna Taylor,” he said, referring to the recent police shootings of Blake and Taylor.
The VMAs also recognized essential workers on the front lines of the outbreak and presented trophies to Grande, Justin Bieber and the Latin American boy band CNCO for music recorded during the coronavirus lockdowns.
K-Pop sensation BTS made their VMA debut stage, singing their new single “Dynamite,” and the seven-member band won all four awards they were nominated for: best group, pop group, K-pop artist. and choreography. – Reuters
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