Talent

Spanning all five boroughs and showcasing this year's unique musical landscape -

the biggest night in music featured epic performances from various iconic NYC locations.

From hosts and presenters, to nominees and winners -

the VMAs provided the most diverse and electrifying talent from every genre.

PRE-SHOW

Getting the party started

  • Pre-show hosts, Nessa and Jamila Mustafa kept the excitement and energy flowing for fans watching at home.
  • Backstage and around New York City, MTV correspondents, Kevan Kenney and Travis Mills provided insider interviews and behind-the-scenes scoop with VMA performers and presenters.

The evening kicked off with five amazing pre-show performances

  • Machine Gun Kelly featuring Blackbear and Travis Barker
  • Chole x Halle
  • Jack Harlow
  • Tate McRae
  • Lewis Capaldi

VMA Pre-Show Hosts: Travis Mills, Nessa, Jamila Mustafa, & Kevan Kenney.

MAIN SHOW

In a year of firsts

  • Actress, activist, and author, Keke Palmer not only hosted the first awards show to take stage during the pandemic, she made history as the first black female to individually host the VMAs.
  • For the first time ever, Latin sensation CNCO brought the heat to the VMA stage with their hit song, “Beso” to a socially distanced crowd at the Skyline drive in.
  • Two new categories were added this year, aimed at honoring music created during the pandemic: Best Music Video from Home, and Best Quarantine Performance.
  • Super-band, BTS made VMA history for the first performance in the K-Pop category. Their fan-favorite song, “Dynamite” was also awarded Best K-Pop Video.
  • Signifying her staying power, Doja Cat performed “Say So” and “Like That” and was later awarded the PUSH Best New Artist award – for artists on the brink of stardom.
  • Lady Gaga was the recipient of the first VMA Tricon Award. The new accolade honors a highly accomplished artist across three disciplines. Gaga was celebrated for her trailblazing artistry as a singer/actress, a fashion icon, and passionate activist for children and LBGTQ rights.

Performances fans couldn’t get enough of

  • DaBaby teamed up with the dance crew, Jaabbawockeez to bring his songs, “Peep Hole”, “Blind”, and “Rockstar” to life.
  • VMA vet Miley Cyrus returned to both the stage and her signature wrecking ball to perform her new single, “Midnight Sky”.
  • Lady Gaga performed a medley of her work from the “Chromatica” album including: “Enigma”, “Chromatica II”, “911”, “Stupid Love”, and “Rain on Me” with Ariana Grande. “Rain on Me” won awards for: Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Cinematography.
  • The Black Eyed Peas brought down the house with “VIDA LOCA” with help from Tyga, J. Rey Sol and Nicky Jam. They closed the show with their party favorite, “I’ve Got a Feeling”.