VMAs: WINNERS AND MEMORABLE MOMENTS
The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards went down at New York’s UBS Arena Wednesday night (9/11), and par for the course, there were plenty of notable moments.
After a relatively tame pre-show, which included a performance from HYBE's Le Sserafim and a quick wink from Taylor Swift, Eminem opened the show with "Houdini." Backed by dozens of Eminem clones rocking blond coifs, he effortlessly blazed through his verses while Swift and LL COOL J danced along. He then went into "Somebody Save Me" f/Jelly Roll, another single from The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).
.@Eminem knows how to start the #VMAs with an unforgettable opening performance !!!!!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/t1vmWvf3IJ
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 12, 2024
Host Megan Thee Stallion soon sauntered onstage to introduce Flavor Flav and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, who presented the evening's first award to Swift and Post Malone in the Best Collaboration category for "Fortnight" (Republic). During her speech, Swift honored those who lost their lives on 9-11 before handing the mic to Malone, who praised her relentless work ethic and kind heart.
DREAM TEAM ALERT!🚨Congrats to @taylorswift13 and @PostMalone on winning the #VMA for Best Collaboration 🏆 pic.twitter.com/jdZbSW02y1
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 12, 2024
The night was peppered with many (many) performances by the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, KAROL G, Anitta f/DJ Khaled, Fat Joe and Peso Pluma, GloRilla, Teddy Swims, LL COOL J, Video Vanguard Award winner Katy Perry f/Doechii, Chappell Roan, Megan Thee Stallion, Benson Boone and Halsey (if we listed them all, we'd be here all night).
Carpenter, who has the #1 album in the country right now (Island's Short n' Sweet) sailed through "Taste" and "Espresso" flanked by dozens of astronauts. Perry hung from the ceiling surrounded by fire as she sang "Dark Horse," LL COOL J celebrated Def Jam's 40th anniversary with Public Enemy and Z-Trip, Roan shot a flaming arrow at a medieval castle as she nailed her Amusement Records/Island hit "Good Luck, Babe" and Boone did a backflip off his piano.
Good luck to ME on being able to breathe after @ChappellRoan's #VMA debut performance of "Good Luck, Babe!" 🥹 pic.twitter.com/u59f0OX84U
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 12, 2024
Carpenter took home Song of the Year for "Espresso" while Swift won Artist of the Year. The event's biggest honor of the night, Video of the Year, was awarded to Swift and Malone for "Fortnight," which she directed. Swift's speech included a shout-out to her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and a call-to-action to get to the polls in November.
In total, Swift walked away with seven trophies and was the most-decorated artist of the night. She broke Beyoncé’s career record with 30 VMAs won and became both the first artist to ever win the Video of the Year trophy on five occasions and to claim that prize in three consecutive years.
Somewhere, Bruce Gillmer is smiling.
Find a list of winners below while we recover from the couch.
WINNERS OF THE 2024 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift f/Post Malone, "Fortnight"
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Song of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter, "Espresso"
Best Direction: Taylor Swift, "Fortnight"
Best Pop: Taylor Swift
Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
Best Hip-Hop: Eminem, "Houdini"
Best R&B: SZA, "Snooze"
Best Latin: Anitta
Best K-Pop: Lisa, "Rockstar"
Best Rock: Lenny Kravitz, "Human"
Best Alternative: Benson Boone
Best Collaboration: Taylor Swift f/Post Malone, "Fortnight"
Video Vanguard Award: Katy Perry
Best Afrobeats: Tyla, "Water"
Video for Good: Billie Eilish, "What Was I Made For"
Song of the Summer: Taylor Swift f/Post Malone, "Fortnight"
Best Visual Effects: Eminem, “Houdini” (Synapse Virtual Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post)
Best Art Direction: Megan Thee Stallion, "BOA"
Best Editing: Taylor Swift, "Fortnight"
