The big winners during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards: Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, and Justin Bieber!
Video of the Year went to Lil Nas X for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”which also won for Best Direction.
Global Icon Award: Foo Fighters
VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Justin Bieber
SONG OF THE YEAR: Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license”
BEST NEW ARTIST: Olivia Rodrigo – Geffen Records
PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: May 2021: Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license”
BEST COLLABORATION: Doja Cat ft. SZA – “Kiss Me More"
BEST POP: Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches”
BEST HIP-HOP: Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A. – “FRANCHISE”
BEST ROCK: John Mayer – “Last Train Home”
BEST ALTERNATIVE: Machine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear – “my ex’s best friend”
BEST LATIN: Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA – “Lo Vas A Olvidar”
BEST R&B: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open”
BEST K-POP: BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT MUSIC Monsta X
VIDEO FOR GOOD: Billie Eilish – “Your Power”
GROUP OF THE YEAR: BTS
BEST DIRECTION: Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid – “BROWN SKIN GIRL”
Madonna kicked off the awards show.The pop icon starred in a cinematic opening as a taxi took her to Times Square and New York. She discussed starting her career around the same time as MTV and how they are both still around.
Madonna entered the stage and wished MTV a happy 40th anniversary beforeBieber and The Kid Laroi appeared for the night's first performance for Laroi's song "Stay."
Busta Rhymes rapped a number of his hit songs from throughout his career, including his verse from Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now."
Alicia Keys gave an outside performance of her song "LaLa (Unlocked)," featuring Swae Lee. Alicia was wearing a sparkling gold outfit and later went to a piano to sing "Empire State of Mind."
Foo Fighters then took the stage to perform multiple songs from their catalogue.
Normani took the stage to sing "Wild Side." The singer was moved across the stage by a rope she was holding onto and ended the set by dancing on top of another woman.
Chloe, of Chloe X Halle fame, gave a solo performance of her song "Have Mercy." She was introduced by her sister Halle Bailey.
Doja Cat performed her song "Been Like This" while floating in mid-air around a halo. She landed onto the stage and transitioned into her song "You Right."
Camila Cabello was joined by multiple dancers and guitar players for a performance of "Don't Go Yet."
Lil Nas X performed both "Industry Baby," featuringJack Harlow, and "Montero (Call Me By Your Name). Harlow performed with Lil Nas X.
Kacey Musgraves was surrounded by candlelight as she sang "Star-Crossed."
Twenty One Pilots took the stage next for "Saturday." Lead singer Tyler Joseph announced that his wife Jenna Joseph is pregnant with their second child together.
Machine Gun Kelly closed out the show with a performance of "Papercuts" where he was joined by drummer Travis Barker.The pair was introduced by Kelly's girlfriend, Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian.
Source: Variety.
Photo Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS.