With only one more week to go until Sunday night (August 30) MTV VMAs of 2020, the performance schedule for the show has become a bit slimmer. According to the show’s main page, previously announced acts J Balvin and Roddy Ricch will not be on hand for the socially distant ceremony that will take place at a variety of as yet unveiled locations around New York.
At press time, the list included artists Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, BTS, Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Maluma, Black Eyed Peas and CNCO. An MTV spokesman could not be reached for comment at press time, but Ricch revealed the news on his Instagram story on Friday.
“Unfortunately, I will not be performing at this year’s VMAs as announced,” Ricch wrote, according to EW. “My team and I did everything in our power to make this work, because of last minute COVID compliance issues we had to write off the performance. My team and I are safe and everyone’s health is a top priority, as well as giving a quality performance. I appreciate MTV for the opportunity to perform and I hope I can see you next year. “
Balvin, who recently revealed that he is recovering from COVID-19, has not yet commented on leaving the performance lead. The singer is up for four VMAs, including Best Collaboration (“Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life),”), as well as three in the Latin category, for “Que Pena,” “China” and “Amarillo”; Ricch is up for three, including PUSH’s best new artist, song of the year and best hip-hop video for breakout hit “The Box.”
Gaga and Grande will give the debut performances of their No. 1 duet “Rain on Me” at the event, where the two lead this year’s nominations with nine each, seven of them for “Rain on Me.” Keke Palmer leads the show. The 2020 MTV VMAs will air from various locations around New York on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST.
