The Video Music Awards 2022 were full of unforgettable moments with the biggest stars of music, including Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny, Lizzo and Taylor Swift.
At least three artists made history on Sunday night: Blackpink made his debut at the United States Awards Show and became the first female K-pop act to win the Group of the Year award; Bad Bunny delivered an electric performance from Yankee Stadium and became the first non-English-speaking performer to receive the Artist of the Year Award; and Taylor Swift announced a new album after being the only person to receive the Video of the Year Award three times.
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Bad Bunny is the first non-English-speaking act to win the VMA as Artist of the Year
A performance by Bad Bunny from Yankee Stadium was also featured during the Video Music Awards, which aired on MTV on Sunday night.
Also in the headlines was an eyebrow-raising cameo appearance by Johnny Depp, whose virtual face was superimposed on a giant moon man dangling over the VMAs stage at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
Here are more highlights from the eventful MTV broadcast.
Lizzo turns off her haters
After turning heads on the red carpet and performing a stunning medley of her hits “About Damn Time” and “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready),” Lizzo briefly considered “the b–that has something to say about me in the press”— before thinking better of it. (The singer was referring to Minaj’s infamous 2015 VMAs speech in which Minaj called out Miley Cyrus for comments Cyrus made in an interview with the New York Times.)
“You know what? I’m not going to say anything, “Lizzo decided as he accepted the Video for Good Award. “They say, ’Lizzo, why don’t you clap back? Why don’t you clap back? Because b-, I win.”
The remarks of the ”special” artist came shortly after Britney Spears shamed her in an interview with The Art of Dialogue, which prompted many to interpret her speech as a response to the comedian.
”Let me make one thing clear – I didn’t address anyone in my speech last night,” Lizzo tweeted Monday morning, dispelling the speculation. “I talked to EVERYONE.”
Minaj is committed to mental health
In addition to co-hosting the ceremony, Minaj received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2022. Traditionally, the video avant-garde laureate performed some of her biggest hits, including “Moment 4 Life”, “Beez in the Trap”, “Anaconda” and “Super Bass”.”
She also called out to Lauryn Hill, Rihanna, Drake and more during her acceptance speech that touched on the topic of mental health.
“I wish Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were here,” she said. “I wish people would understand… what they’ve been through. I wish people would take mental health seriously even if they think they have the perfect life.”
Måneskin has a wardrobe malfunction
MTV was forced to censor “Supermodel” Italian rock band Måneskin’s VMA performance after bassist Victoria De Angelis’ glittering black top fell off her shoulder, exposing her breasts.
In true rock’n’roll fashion, De Angelis continued to play through the wardrobe malfunction. MTV cut to the crowd every time the topless De Angelis wanted to enter the frame.
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Taylor Swift wins the highest award at MTV VMAs and announces a new album
Taylor Swift took home the top prize at the MTV Video Music Awards before closing the show with an announcement about a new album, ‘Midnights.’