Olivia Rodrigo had the biggest night at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, taking home three moon person awards… but Lil Nas X won the top honor, Video of the Year.
Rodrigo, 18, won the first award of the night, Song of the Year, along with Best New Artist and Push Performance of the Year.
Lil Nas X took home two awards, Video Of the Year for his hit Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and Best Direction, sharing the award with the video’s co-director Tanu Muino.
Big win: Lil Nas X took home two awards, Video Of the Year for his hit Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and Best Direction, sharing the award with the video’s co-director Tanu Muino
Olivia Rodirigo won the first award at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, Song of the Year.
She beat out 24kGoldn ft. iann dior – Mood, Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic- Leave The Door Open, BTS – Dynamite, Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – WAP and Dua Lipa – Levitating.
She was given the award by a surprise presenter, Jennifer Lopez, who hit the stage in a stunning minidress.
Olivia wins: Olivia Rodirigo won the first award at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards , Song of the Year
Winner: She beat out 24kGoldn ft. iann dior – Mood, Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic- Leave The Door Open, BTS – Dynamite, Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – WAP and Dua Lipa – Levitating
The night kicked off with performances by Justin Bieber and The Kid Laroi plus Olivia Rodrigo before host Doja Cat took to the stage.
She introduced the night’s first presenter, former Video Vanguard Award winner Jennifer Lopez.
‘It feels so good to be here in my hometown for the VMAs. MTV has always been the place to deliver the music and videos that define our generation,’ Lopez said.
Justin performs: The night kicked off with performances by Justin Bieber and The Kid Laroi plus Olivia Rodrigo before host Doja Cat took to the stage
Presenter: She introduced the night’s first presenter, former Video Vanguard Award winner Jennifer Lopez
She presented the first award of the night, Song of the Year, which was won by Olivia Rodrigo for her hit song drivers license.
‘This is so insane. Wow. Okay, first of all I just want to thank all of you guys, the fans. This is so incredible. This is the most — this has been the most magical year of my life that’s all because of you, so thank you,’ Rodrigo said.
She went on to dedicate the award to, ‘all the other girls who write songs on their bedroom floor. There are a lot of people who will try to do in your light but speaking your mind and share your heart are the most beautiful things in the world. I am here for that. Thank you again,’ she concluded.
Surprise: She was given the award by a surprise presenter, Jennifer Lopez, who hit the stage in a stunning minidress
Insane: So insane: ‘This is so insane. Wow. Okay, first of all I just want to thank all of you guys, the fans. This is so incredible. This is the most — this has been the most magical year of my life that’s all because of you, so thank you,’ Rodrigo said
Dedicate: She went on to dedicate the award to, ‘all the other girls who write songs on their bedroom floor. There are a lot of people who will try to do in your light but speaking your mind and share your heart are the most beautiful things in the world. I am here for that. Thank you again,’ she concluded
Rodrigo was also awarded the Push Performance of the Year for drivers license before the ceremony.
She beat out Wallows – ‘Are You Bored Yet?’ (September 2020), Ashnikko – ‘Daisy’ (October 2020), SAINt JHN – ‘Gorgeous’ November 2020, 24kGoldn – ‘Coco’ (December 2020), JC Stewart – ‘Break My Heart’ (January 2021), Latto – ‘Sex Lies’ (February 2021), Madison Beer – ‘Selfish’ (March 2021), The Kid LAROI – ‘WITHOUT YOU’ (April 2021), girl in red ‘Serotonin’ (June 2021), Fousheé – ‘my slime’ (July 2021) and jxdn – ‘Think About Me’ (August 2021).
Cyndi Lauper took to the stage to present the Best Pop Award, but before she did that, she revealed she won an award at the first VMAs while delivering a powerful message.
Push: Rodrigo was also awarded the Push Performance of the Year for drivers license before the ceremony
Cyndi: Cyndi Lauper took to the stage to present the Best Pop Award, but before she did that, she revealed she won an award at the first VMAs while delivering a powerful message
‘I won a moon person at the very first VMAs in 1984. Things are a little different now. Yeah, girls wanna have fun. But we also want to have funds. Equal pay. Control over our bodies! You know, fundamental rights,’ Lauper said to huge applause.
Justin Bieber won the award for his song Peaches featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon.
He beat out Ariana Grande – positions, Billie Eilish – Therefore I Am, BTS – Butter, Harry Styles – ‘Treat People With Kindness, Olivia Rodrigo – good 4 u, Shawn Mendes – Wonder and Taylor Swift – willow.
Giveon said on stage, ‘Justin called me randomly on facetime and I — and said do you want to do a song that I said yeah, sure.’
Bieber gave a ‘Shout out to my little brother and sister. Shout out to my mom and dad, my grandparents. I love you so much.’
Moon person: Moon person: ‘I won a moon person at the very first VMAs in 1984. Things are a little different now. Yeah, girls wanna have fun. But we also want to have funds. Equal pay. Control over our bodies! You know, fundamental rights,’ Lauper said to huge applause
Justin wins: Justin Bieber won the award for his song Peaches featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon
Facetime: Giveon said on stage, ‘Justin called me randomly on facetime and I — and said do you want to do a song that I said yeah, sure’
Shout out: Bieber gave a ‘Shout out to my little brother and sister. Shout out to my mom and dad, my grandparents. I love you so much’
Avril Lavigne presented the next award, Video For Good, which was won by Billie Eilish for her hit song Your Power.
She beat out Demi Lovato – Dancing With The Devil, H.E.R. – Fight For You, Kane Brown – Worldwide Beautiful, Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name) and Pharrell Williams ft. JAY-Z – Entrepreneur.
‘Thank you, guys for this. I love you so dearly. I really love you. Thank you, Avril. I love you so much. I know it’s fan voted. Thank you so much. If I was going to say anything about this song, I feel like I was trying to write this song for really long time and then like I I finally did,’ she said.
‘I want to say that we need to protect our young woman at all costs. For real. We also need to remember that we all have power and we have to remember to not abuse it,’ she concluded.
Billie wins: Avril Lavigne presented the next award, Video For Good, which was won by Billie Eilish for her hit song Your Power
Billie wins: She beat out Demi Lovato – Dancing With The Devil, H.E.R. – Fight For You, Kane Brown – Worldwide Beautiful, Lil Nas X – MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name) and Pharrell Williams ft. JAY-Z – Entrepreneur
Thanks: ‘Thank you, guys for this. I love you so dearly. I really love you. Thank you, Avril. I love you so much. I know it’s fan voted. Thank you so much. If I was going to say anything about this song, I feel like I was trying to write this song for really long time and then like I I finally did,’ she said
Protect: ‘I want to say that we need to protect our young woman at all costs. For real. We also need to remember that we all have power and we have to remember to not abuse it,’ she concluded
Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor presented the award for Artist of the Year, which was won by Justin Bieber.
‘So I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. As we know, there’s too much going on in the world as we speak,’ Bieber began.
‘I know you guys have probably heard it a lot but we are in unprecedented times right now with this COVID thing that’s happening, you know. It’s not the COVID thing but it’s a big deal,’ he added.
Conor presents: Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor presented the award for Artist of the Year, which was won by Justin Bieber
Justin’s speech: Appreciate it: ‘So I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. As we know, there’s too much going on in the world as we speak,’ Bieber began
Justin wins: ‘I know you guys have probably heard it a lot but we are in unprecedented times right now with this COVID thing that’s happening, you know. It’s not the COVID thing but it’s a big deal,’ he added
‘I just want to say music is such an amazing opportunity and an amazing outlet to be able to reach people and to be able to bring us all together. You know, we’ve got a lot more in common then we don’t, and I look around here and I see so many beautiful faces. And you know, I really do believe the best is yet to come, so I want to say thank you, guys, so much,’ Bieber said.
He also thanked his ‘beautiful wife’ Hailey while giving a shout-out to Travis Scott, adding, man, you inspire me so much. Thank you for being you.’
Bieber then turned to presenter Conor McGregor, who lost his last fight to Dustin Porrier in July after breaking his tibia.
‘Conor, we are going to get them next time, my boy. Let’s go. Thank you, guys,’ Bieber concluded.
Hailey: He also thanked his ‘beautiful wife’ Hailey while giving a shout-out to Travis Scott, adding, man, you inspire me so much. Thank you for being you’
Justin and Conor: Bieber then turned to presenter Conor McGregor, who lost his last fight to Dustin Porrier in July after breaking his tibia
Justin wins: ‘Conor, we are going to get them next time, my boy. Let’s go. Thank you, guys,’ Bieber concluded
Wyclef Jean took to the stage to present the Best Hip-Hop award, which was won by Travis Scott for his song Franchise featuring Young Thug & M.I.A.
He beat out Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – WAP, Drake ft. Lil Durk – Laugh Now Cry Later, Lil Baby ft. Megan Thee Stallion – On Me (remix), Moneybagg Yo – Said Sum and Polo G – RAPSTAR.
‘Yo this is…. I love you all New York! I first wanna thank God, my mom, Stormi, all the amazing fans out there, I love you all so much, we couldn’t do it without you,’ Scott began.
Travis wins: Wyclef Jean took to the stage to present the Best Hip-Hop award, which was won by Travis Scott for his song Franchise featuring Young Thug & M.I.A.
He also gave a shout-out to his record label Catcus Jack and Epic Records, before sharing a message with his fans.
‘Before I go, I want to tell you all love is the biggest thing we can never hold. Spread love and everything will be okay,’ Scott said.
Ja Rule and Ashanti took to the stage to present the award for Best Collaboration, which was won by Doja Cat for Kiss Me More featuring SZA.
Spread love: ‘Before I go, I want to tell you all love is the biggest thing we can never hold. Spread love and everything will be okay,’ Scott said
Doja and SZA: Ja Rule and Ashanti took to the stage to present the award for Best Collaboration, which was won by Doja Cat for Kiss Me More featuring SZA
They beat out 24kGoldn ft. iann dior – Mood, Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – WAP, Drake ft. Lil Durk – Laugh Now Cry Later, Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon – Peaches and Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa – Prisoner.
‘Oh, my gosh. Thank you.First and foremost. Thank you to SZA. Everybody give it up for SZA. Listen, you guys, I really appreciate it. God. Where do I start?’ Doja Cat began.
‘This is always left field for everybody, isn’t it? I want to thank everyone. My manager. Jay, Ernesto, everybody. Thank you so much. You guys have made this so fun for me, so fun. And interesting and just thank you to my fans for being there,’ she said.
Thanks: ‘Oh, my gosh. Thank you.First and foremost. Thank you to SZA. Everybody give it up for SZA. Listen, you guys, I really appreciate it. God. Where do I start?’ Doja Cat began
‘As much as I need you, as much as I fight with you all and tease you all, I really do love you. And it’s never personal. I love you so much,’ she added, before joking that she looks like a worm in her outfit.
‘That’s dope. I never thought I’d be dressed as a worm while excepting an award. Anyway, I love you, thank you, VMAs! Thank you, MTV!’ she concluded.
AJ McLean from Backstreet Boys, Lance Bass from N’Sync and Nick Lachey from 98 Degrees presented the next award for Best K-Pop, won by BTS for their hit Butter.
Worm: ‘As much as I need you, as much as I fight with you all and tease you all, I really do love you. And it’s never personal. I love you so much,’ she added, before joking that she looks like a worm in her outfit
They beat out (G)I-DLE – DUMDi DUMDi, BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez – Ice Cream, BIGHIT Music Monsta X – Gambler, SEVENTEEN – ‘Ready to Love’ and TWICE – Alcohol-Free.
While BTS couldn’t be there to accept the award in person, they sent out a video message to thank the fans.
‘Thanks for this honor. Sorry we couldn’t be there but hopefully next time we will. We feel so blessed and grateful for all the love we have received this year. We will keep bringing great music for you. Love you all,’ the group said.
The Foo Fighters presented a medley of their hit songs before being presented with the Global Icon award.
‘Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for having us here tonight. Quite an award. We have been a band for 26 years. It feels pretty good,’ frontman Dave Grohl began.
‘We would like to thank all of the people at MTV past and present. We made a list. Kurt Loder, Tabatha Soren, Steve Isaacs, Amy Finnerty, thank you all for this award. See you in 26 years,’ Grohl concluded.
On stage: Dave Grohl takes the stage at the VMAs
Global: The Foo Fighters presented a medley of their hit songs before being presented with the Global Icon award
Quite the award: ‘Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for having us here tonight. Quite an award. We have been a band for 26 years. It feels pretty good,’ frontman Dave Grohl began
Thanks: ‘We would like to thank all of the people at MTV past and present. We made a list. Kurt Loder, Tabatha Soren, Steve Isaacs, Amy Finnerty, thank you all for this award. See you in 26 years,’ Grohl concluded
Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee took to the stage to present the award for Best Alternative, which was won by Machine Gun Kelly for my ex’s best friend featuring blackbear.
He beat out Bleachers – Stop Making This Hurt, Glass Animals – Heat Waves, Imagine Dragons – Follow You, twenty one pilots – Shy Away and WILLOW ft. Travis Barker – t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l.
MGK started his speech by giving a shout-out to, ‘all the emo kids’ who he said will ‘bring it all back.’
MGK and Megan: Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee took to the stage to present the award for Best Alternative, which was won by Machine Gun Kelly (with girlfriend Megan Fox) for my ex’s best friend featuring blackbear
Winner: He beat out Bleachers – Stop Making This Hurt, Glass Animals – Heat Waves, Imagine Dragons – Follow You, twenty one pilots – Shy Away and WILLOW ft. Travis Barker – t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l
Emo kids: MGK started his speech by giving a shout-out to, ‘all the emo kids’ who he said will ‘bring it all back’
‘I want to thank everyone for starting this long on a tour bus with me years ago and Travis Barker for making the song what it was,’ MGK said.
He also thanked his label, for putting it out when I call them the day before was supposed to be released and said I hate it. Don’t put it out. Thank you for not listening to me. I love it.’
He also thanked blackbear, adding, ‘one of my first songs I ever did was with blackbear.’
Thanks: He also thanked his label, for putting it out when I call them the day before was supposed to be released and said I hate it. Don’t put it out. Thank you for not listening to me. I love it’
He also thanked the director of the video, who he hasn’t talked with since, ‘because we got in a fight on set,’ but added, ‘It’s a great video and I’m so glad we won.’
Host and last year’s Best New Artist winner Doja Cat presented this year’s award, which was won by Olivia Rodrigo.
She beat out 24kGoldn, Giveon, The Kid LAROI, Polo G and Saweetie for the coveted award.
She thanked The Kid LAROI, ‘who inspires me every day to become a better artist so thank you.’
New artist: Host and last year’s Best New Artist winner Doja Cat presented this year’s award, which was won by Olivia Rodrigo
Winner: She beat out 24kGoldn, Giveon, The Kid LAROI , Polo G and Saweetie for the coveted award
Thanks: She thanked The Kid LAROI, ‘who inspires me every day to become a better artist so thank you’
‘I just feel so grateful that I get to write music and make stuff that I love and call it my job, so thank you again. Thank you,’ she concluded.
Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth took to the stage to present the final award of the night, Video of the Year, won by Lil Nas X for Montero (Call Me By Your Name).
He beat out Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – WAP, DJ Khaled ft. Drake – POPSTAR (Starring Justin Bieber), Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me More, Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits and The Weeknd – Save Your Tears.
‘First I wanna say thanks to the gay agenda. Go gay agenda!,’ he began.
‘I just feel so grateful that I get to write music and make stuff that I love and call it my job, so thank you again. Thank you,’ he added.
‘Buy my album when it comes out September 17. I love you guys so much. I do not take it for granted,’ he concluded as the 2021 VMAs came to a close with a performance by Machine Gun Kelly with Travis Barker.
Video of the Year: Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth took to the stage to present the final award of the night, Video of the Year, won by Lil Nas X for Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Gay agenda: ‘First I wanna say thanks to the gay agenda. Go gay agenda!,’ he began
Grateful: ‘I just feel so grateful that I get to write music and make stuff that I love and call it my job, so thank you again. Thank you,’ he added
Album: ‘Buy my album when it comes out September 17. I love you guys so much. I do not take it for granted,’ he concluded as the 2021 VMAs came to a close with a performance by Machine Gun Kelly with Travis Barker