Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Bella Hadid led the fashion at Sunday night’s 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, where stars across the showbiz world appeared in five NYC boroughs for the unique event.
Marking a bizarre return to the red carpet amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event was filmed over the days at several different locations with production abiding by social distancing guidelines as it aired ‘live’.
Leading the very-2020 style event, Miley put on a sultry display in a sheer off-the-shoulder dress, while Gaga looked like a chic extraterrestrial in silver gown. The stunner led the red carpet for the VMAs, which were held outdoors across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, and Manhattan.
Miley flashed her tongue while showing off her outfit, which revealed her toned abs and fit legs.
She wore matching gloves that reached up her arms, and had a black bandeau and matching panties under the sheer covering, which was decorated with small mirrors.
The Party In The USA singer wore her blonde locks in a playful mullet. She accessorized with large Disco Hoop Earrings with brown diamonds from Loree Rodkin, along with a Pave bracelet from the same designer.
Gaga wore a voluminous silver dress with sky-high black platform boots and a clear helmet over her silver-haired head in a nod to her usual kooky style.
Blinding: Miley sparkled thanks to dozens of tiny mirrors adorning her dress, which left little to the imagination
Like Miley, Bella favored a sheer outfit with a revealing top. The model paired her top, which featured long sleeves, with a high-waisted set of black slacks and black open-toe heels with gold chain straps.
She framed her impeccably made-up face with large gold hoop earrings and wore her raven tresses in striking layers.
Madison Beer put her sensational figure on full display with a thigh-skimming black dress. While flaunting her ample cleavage in a plunging neckline, the 21-year-old singer commanded attention in her semi-sheer ensemble, which hugged every inch of her toned frame.
The beauty showcased her toned and bronzed legs in the flirty black minidress, which hovered above her upper-thighs. In addition to a pair of matching open-toed heels, she donned a pair of black gloves, which came up to her shoulders.
Her luxurious blonde hair was flawlessly flat ironed, as she oozed confidence and pursed her plump pout on the red carpet.
Having a blast: Miley flashed her tongue while showing off her outfit, which revealed her toned abs and fit legs
Busty display: While flaunting her ample cleavage in a plunging neckline, the 21-year-old singer commanded attention in her semi-sheer ensemble, which hugged every inch of her toned frame
She was joined by a number of other celebrities, including Keke Palmer, Joey King, Bebe Rexha and Sofia Carson, on the red carpet.
Joey wore a short green and red floral dress, which she accessorized with a number of gold Chanel necklaces and matching hair clips.
For her makeup, the 21-year-old Kissing Booth star had applied a heavy swipe of blush and a fierce winged eyeliner.
Nicole Richie matched the green color scheme in a ruched dress with a long train.
Bebe Rexha strutted in a plunging black dress and her hair in a sky-high ponytail.
While she opted to wear all-black, she had an eye-popping manicure, which she flaunted while blowing a kiss to photographers.
Her extra long false nails appeared to be metallic and she also paired her laid-back look with a handful of rings.
Additionally, some stars began to tease their looks earlier in the evening.
Florals: The Kissing Booth star Joey King wore a short green and red floral dress, which she accessorized with a number of gold Chanel necklaces and matching hair clips. Nicole Richie matched the green color scheme in a ruched dress with a long train
Very long nails: While she opted to wear all-black, she had an eye-popping manicure, which she flaunted while blowing a kiss to photographers
Ariana Grande, who is leading the pack this year with nine nominations, put on a leggy display in a black leather dress, which featured a silver zipper at the front.
She teamed the sexy ensemble with a pair of sky-high white heels and opted to style her ombré blonde tresses in perfectly sleek pigtails with flipped ends.
‘Happy VMA day ::) so excited for u see our first rain on me performance tonight!’ the 27-year Grammy winner captioned a series of shots of herself on Instagram.
She also gushed she felt ‘honored’ to share the stage with her Rain On Me collaborator, Lady Gaga, who she described as ‘f*cking incredible.’
The 7 Rings hitmaker also praised MTV for ‘being so diligent in making this such a safe & healthy experience for all of the performers and crew involved.’
She and Gaga will perform their hit duet Rain On Me at the event, which was originally scheduled to be held with a limited audience in Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center but will now place at various outdoor locations across New York City instead.
EMBED: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEh5MdqFT5e/
The VMA’s, or Video Music Awards, is honoring Gaga’s team-up with Grande with the seven nods, including Song of the Year and top prize Video Of The Year.
In addition to Video and Song of the Year, the pop snippet is also nominated for best collaboration, best pop, best cinematography, best visual effects, and best choreography.
In addition to the recognition for Rain On Me, off of Gaga’s latest album Chromatica, Grande is also being nominated for two more VMAs for her sweet quarantine-themed collab with Justin Bieber, Stuck With U.
Those nominations are another in the best collaboration category, and a new category for the age of the coronavirus pandemic – best music video from home.
Grande’s upcoming VMA performance, her fifth, will be the first since 2018, when she wowed with her hit show-stopping rendition of God Is a Woman.
Revealing: Doja Cat put on a busty display in a plunging red dress adorned with red fringe and floral decorations
Stunner: The backless dress revealed her svelte frame, and she showed off her ultra long braided ponytail extension
Beat up: The Weeknd made a splash at the ceremony in a scarlet blazer with a black shirt and pants and black and white loafers. He was made up to look as if he’d been mugged on the way to the ceremony, a look that he’s been using in his recent music videos and performances
She and Gaga join fellow performing artists The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, Roddy Ricch, BTS, Doja Cat, J Balvin, Maluma and CNCO for what is sure to be a different experience, as the awards event will of course not be held in front of a live and enthusiastic audience.
Doja Cat put on a busty display in a plunging red dress adorned with red fringe and floral decorations.
The backless dress revealed her svelte frame, and she showed off her ultra long braided ponytail extension.
The Weeknd made a splash at the ceremony in a scarlet blazer with a black shirt and pants and black and white loafers.
He was made up to look as if he’d been mugged on the way to the ceremony, a look that he’s been using in his recent music videos and performances.
Gray lady: The host Keke Palmer flaunted her curvaceous figure in a tiny gray dress with a high slit up her thigh and a plunging neckline
Eye-catching: The Hustlers star wore her hair up in a stylish updo and had on a jeweled choker around her neck
Switching it up: She also appeared in drag wearing a colorful shirt with black pants and tan boots and a faux soul patch
The evening’s host, Keke Palmer, tried out two adventurous looks on Sunday.
She flaunted her curvaceous figure in a tiny gray dress with a high slit up her thigh and a plunging neckline.
The Hustlers star wore her hair up in a stylish updo and had on a jeweled choker around her neck.
But she also appeared in drag wearing a colorful shirt with black pants and tan boots and a faux soul patch.
No fuss: Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s son Jaden Smith paired a colorful pastel blazer with a graphic T-shirt and weathered jeans. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker was even more casual in a white graphic T-shirt and red plaid pants with black sneakers
Stylish: Rapper Machine Gun Kelly added a splash of pink with a hot pink tank top and matching trousers, while he carried his pink blazer over one shoulder. Reggaeton singer J Balvin contrasted him with a black double-breasted tuxedo with pants featuring gold designs running down the legs
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s son Jaden Smith paired a colorful pastel blazer with a graphic T-shirt and weathered jeans.
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker was even more casual in a white graphic T-shirt and red plaid pants with black sneakers.
Rapper Machine Gun Kelly added a splash of pink with a hot pink tank top and matching trousers, while he carried his pink blazer over one shoulder.
Reggaeton singer J Balvin contrasted his cartoonish performances with a black double-breasted tuxedo with pants featuring gold designs running down the legs.
Rap stars: Da Baby showed off his muscles while going shirt-free under a black Supreme jacket and white Louis Vuitton pants. The Black Eyed Peas were represented by apl.de.ap, will.i.am, and Taboo, all of whom favored denim
Da Baby showed off his muscles while going shirt-free under a black Supreme jacket and white Louis Vuitton pants.
The Black Eyed Peas were represented by apl.de.ap, will.i.am, and Taboo on the red carpet.
The rapper apl.de.ap wore a denim jacket with ribs painted on it, while will.i.am had on a denim jacket over a white hoodie and Taboo wore a black denim vest to show off his tattoo sleeves.
Gorgeous: Sofia Carson stunned in an elegant red dress with a ruched top that covered one shoulder. The pleated skirt reached to the floor, and her waisted was wrapped with floppy sheets of fabric
Sofia Carson stunned in an elegant red dress with a ruched top that covered one shoulder.
The pleated skirt reached to the floor, and her waisted was wrapped with floppy sheets of fabric.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the VMAs would not take place at Barclays as initially planned, instead taking the festivities outdoors as a precaution against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The decision was reached mutually between both MTV and representatives from the large Barclays venue, who said in a statement:
‘The 2020 VMAs paid homage to the incredible resiliency of New York with several outdoor performances around [the city] with limited or no audience, adhering to all state and city guidelines.
‘In close consultation with state and local health officials, it became clear at this time that outdoor performances with limited or no audience would be more feasible and safer than an indoor event,’ the statement continued.
‘The VMAs will highlight the boroughs in an exciting show and return to Barclays Center in 2021. MTV will continue to work closely with the Department of Health, state and local officials, the medical community, and key stakeholders to ensure the safety of all involved,’ the missive concluded.
The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards WINNERS
MTV TRICON AWARD
Lady Gaga – WINNER
Rock on: Lady Gaga was the biggest winner of the night taking home five moonpersons
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Billie Eilish – “Everything I Wanted”
Eminem (featuring Juice WRLD) – “Godzilla”
Future (featuring Drake) – “Life Is Good”
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain on Me”
Taylor Swift – “The Man”
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” – WINNER
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber
DaBaby
Lady Gaga – WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion
Post Malone
The Weeknd
PUSH BEST NEW ARTIST
Lewis Capaldi
Doja Cat – WINNER
Yungblud
Say so? Doja cat earned the Best New Artist gong
BEST COLLABORATION
Black Eyed Peas (featuring J Balvin) – “Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)”
Future (featuring Drake) – “Life Is Good”
Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber – “Stuck with U”
Karol G (featuring Nicki Minaj) – “Tusa”
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain on Me” – WINNER
Ed Sheeran (featuring Khalid) – “Beautiful People”
BEST HIP HOP
DaBaby – “Bop”
Eminem (featuring Juice Wrld) – “Godzilla”
Future (featuring Drake) – “Life Is Good”
Megan Thee Stallion – “Savage” – WINNER
Roddy Ricch – “The Box”
Travis Scott – “Highest in the Room”
WON: Megan Thee Stallion celebrated her Best Hip-Hop Video win for Savage from home
BEST K-POP
BTS – “On” – WINNER
Exo – “Obsession”
(G)I-dle – “Oh My God”
Monsta X – “Someone’s Someone”
Red Velvet – “Psycho”
TXT – “9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)”
BEST ROCK
blink-182 – “Happy Days”
Coldplay – “Orphans”
Evanescence – “Wasted on You”
Fall Out Boy (featuring Wyclef Jean) – “Dear Future Self (Hands Up)”
Green Day – “Oh Yeah!”
The Killers – “Caution”
BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM HOME
5 Seconds of Summer – “Wildflower”
blink-182 – “Happy Days”
Drake – “Toosie Slide”
Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber – “Stuck with U” – WINNER
John Legend – “Bigger Love”
twenty one pilots – “Level of Concern”
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Billie Eilish – “All the Good Girls Go to Hell”
H.E.R. – “I Can’t Breathe” – WINNER
Lil Baby – “The Bigger Picture”
Demi Lovato – “I Love Me”
Anderson Paak – “Lockdown”
Taylor Swift – “The Man”
Talented: H.E.R took home the Video For Good Award for her powerful music video I Can’t Breathe
BEST ART DIRECTION
A$AP Rocky – “Babushka Boi” (Art Directors: A$AP Rocky, Nadia Lee Cohen and Brittany Porter)
Miley Cyrus – “Mother’s Daughter” (Art Director: Christian Stone) – WINNER
Selena Gomez – “Boyfriend” (Art Director: Tatiana Van Sauter)
Dua Lipa – “Physical” (Art Director: Anna Colomé Nogu)
Harry Styles – “Adore You” (Art Director: Laura Ellis Cricks)
Taylor Swift – “Lover” (Art Director: Kurt Gefke)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
5 Seconds of Summer – “Old Me” (Director of Photography: Kieran Fowler)
Camila Cabello (featuring DaBaby) – “My Oh My” (Director of Photography: Scott Cunningham)
Billie Eilish – “All the Good Girls Go to Hell” (Director of Photography: Christopher Probst
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain on Me” (Director of Photography: Michael Merriman) – WINNER
Katy Perry – “Harleys in Hawaii” (Director of Photography: Arnau Valls)
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” (Director of Photography: Oliver Millar)
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Billie Eilish – “all the good girls go to hell” (Visual Effects: Drive Studio)
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain on Me” (Visual Effects: Ingenuity Studios)
Dua Lipa – “Physical” (Visual Effects: EIGHTY4 and Mathematic) – WINNER
Demi Lovato – “I Love Me” (Visual Effects: Hoody FX)
Travis Scott – “Highest in the Room” (Visual Effects: Ingenuity Studios)
Harry Styles – “Adore You” (Visual Effects: Mathematic)
SONG OF THE YEAR
Doja Cat – “Say So”
Billie Eilish – “Everything I Wanted”
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain on Me” – WINNER
Megan Thee Stallion – “Savage”
Post Malone – “Circles”
Roddy Ricch – “The Box”
BEST GROUP
5 Seconds of Summer
Blackpink
BTS – WINNER
Chloe x Halle
CNCO
Little Mix
Monsta X
Now United
The 1975
Twenty One Pilots
Legends: KPop group BTS won the Best Group Video Award
BEST POP
Justin Bieber (featuring Quavo) – “Intentions”
BTS – “On” – WINNER
Halsey – “You Should Be Sad”
Jonas Brothers – “What a Man Gotta Do”
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain on Me”
Taylor Swift – “Lover”
BEST R&B
Chloe x Halle – “Do It”
H.E.R. (featuring YG) – “Slide”
Alicia Keys – “Underdog”
Khalid (featuring Summer Walker) – “Eleven”
Lizzo – “Cuz I Love You”
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” – WINNER
After Hours: The Weeknd took home Best R&B video as well as top honor Video Of The Year
BEST LATIN
Anuel AA (featuring Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, Karol G and J Balvin) – “China”
Bad Bunny – “Yo Perreo Sola”
J Balvin – “Amarillo”
Black Eyed Peas (featuring Ozuna and J. Rey Soul) – “Mamacita”
Karol G (featuring Nicki Minaj) – “Tusa”
Maluma (featuring J Balvin) – “Qué Pena” – WINNER
BEST ALTERNATIVE
The 1975 – “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)”
All Time Low – “Some Kind of Disaster”
Lana Del Rey – “Doin’ Time”
FINNEAS – “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night”
Machine Gun Kelly – “Bloody Valentine” – WINNER
twenty one pilots – “Level of Concern”
Best kiss? Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox in the My Bloody Valentine video which earned him Best Alternative
BEST QUARANTINE PERFORMANCE
Chloe x Halle – “Do It” (from MTV Prom-Athon)
CNCO – MTV Unplugged at Home – WINNER
DJ D-Nice – Club MTV Presents: #DanceTogether
Lady Gaga – “Smile” (from One World: Together At Home)
John Legend – #TogetherAtHome Concert Series
Post Malone – “Nirvana Tribute”
BEST DIRECTION
Doja Cat – “Say So” (Director: Hannah Lux Davis)
Billie Eilish – “Xanny” (Director: Billie Eilish)
Dua Lipa – “Don’t Start Now” (Director: Nabil)
Harry Styles – “Adore You” (Director: Dave Meyers)
Taylor Swift – “The Man” (Director: Taylor Swift) – WINNER
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” (Director: Anton Tammi)
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
BTS – “On” (Choreographers: The Lab and Son Sung Deuk) – WINNER
CNCO and Natti Natasha – “Honey Boo” (Choreographer: Kyle Hanagami)
DaBaby – “Bop” (Choreographers: DaniLeigh and Cherry)
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain on Me” (Choreographer: Richy Jackson)
Dua Lipa – “Physical” (Choreographer: Charm La’Donna)
Normani – “Motivation” (Choreographer: Sean Bankhead)
BEST EDITING
James Blake – “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow” (Editor: Frank Lebon)
Miley Cyrus – “Mother’s Daughter” (Editors: Alexandre Moors and Nuno Xico) – WINNER
Halsey – “Graveyard” (Editors: Emille Aubry, Janne Vartia and Tim Montana)
Lizzo – “Good as Hell” (Editors: Russell Santos and Sofia Kerpan)
Rosalía – “A Palé” (Editor: Andre Jones)
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” (Editors: Janne Vartia and Tim Montana)
Golden girl: Miley Cyrus won Best Editing for her Mother’s Daughter video
SONG OF SUMMER
Blackpink – “How You Like That” – WINNER
Cardi B (featuring Megan Thee Stallion) – “WAP”
Miley Cyrus – “Midnight Sky”
DaBaby (featuring Roddy Rich) – “Rockstar”
DJ Khaled (featuring Drake) – “Popstar”
Doja Cat – “Say So”
Jack Harlow – “Whats Poppin”
Lil Baby (featuring 42 Dugg) – “We Paid”
Dua Lipa – “Break My Heart”
Megan Thee Stallion (featuring Beyoncé) – “Savage (Remix)”
Pop Smoke (featuring 50 Cent & Roddy Rich) – “The Woo”
Saint Jhn – “Roses” Saweetie – “Tap In”
Harry Styles – “Watermelon Sugar”
Taylor Swift – “Cardigan”
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights”