MTV VMAs 2022: Greatest and Worst Moments

That’s a wrap on the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards! Sunday evening’s present kicked off with a bang as co-host Jack Harlow shocked audiences with Fergie because the evening’s first performer, and ended simply as large with Taylor Swift saying a brand new album on the way in which.

In between, the evening supplied loads of meme-orable moments together with Lizzo’s video for good acceptance speech which included the standout one-liner: “Bitch, I’m successful hoe!” Cheech and Chong additionally offered audiences with some laughs as they struggled to learn the Teleprompters whereas introducing World Icon Award recipients Crimson Sizzling Chili Peppers. Anitta, who gave a sultry efficiency of “Envolver,” teased audiences by shouting “VMAs! Did you assume I wasn’t gonna shake my ass tonight?!”

The metaverse was a recurring theme of this yr’s present, with loads of references to the brand new know-how each on and off the principle stage. Eminem and Snoop Dogg gave a hybrid in-person and “otherside” efficiency of their collab “From the D 2 The LBC” as Bored Apes. And whereas a lot of the performances have been filmed on location on the Prudential Heart in New Jersey, Dangerous Bunny made historical past performing “Titi Me Pregunto” from New York’s Yankee Stadium the place he accepted the award for artist of the yr.

Harry Kinds was additionally mere miles away from the VMAs, performing one in all his many Madison Sq. Backyard reveals in New York, however was capable of make a virtual appearance for his album of the year acceptance speech for “Harry’s Home.”

Probably the most memorable VMA moments got here courtesy of seasoned performers and the forgettable moments have been considerably inexplicable contemplating the scale and attain of the MTV stage. Hold studying for the 5 greatest and three worst moments of the 2022 VMAs.

BEST

A Swift Shock

Among the many present’s greatest moments was Taylor Swift surprising followers with the announcement of an all-new album set to drop on Oct. 21. The reveal got here whereas she was accepting the award for video of the yr, which she received for “All Too Properly (10-Minute Model).”

“You guys, I’m simply so proud of what we made, and I now that each second of this second that we wouldn’t have been capable of make this brief movie if it weren’t for you, the followers,” she mentioned, together with her staff and “All Too Properly” star Dylan O’Brien standing behind her. “As a result of I wouldn’t be capable to re-record my album [‘Red (Taylor’s Version),’ which included the winning song] if it weren’t for you. You emboldened me to do this. And I had kind of made up my thoughts that in the event you have been going to be this beneficiant and provides us this, I assumed it is likely to be a enjoyable second to let you know that my brand-new album comes out Oct. 21. And I’ll let you know extra at midnight.”

Fergie’s First-Class Return

As one out of three emcees of the evening’s present, Harlow had so much to point out up for, however he undoubtedly introduced the warmth when he shocked audiences with Fergie for the evening’s opening efficiency. The singer, who hasn’t carried out publicly in years, appeared on stage wearing a glitzy outfit stamped with a “First Class” emblem, and sang “Glamorous” alongside Harlow.

The rapper opened the efficiency of the “Glamorous”-sampling “First Class” from an airplane set, dressed as an airline steward, strutting previous Avril Lavigne, Becky G, Lil Nas X, Jimmy Fallon and extra earlier than shortly dropping the outfit for a glittery black ensemble and a red-carpet backdrop. He shortly joined Fergie on stage as the 2 rounded off singing “Glamorous.” When the monitor earned Harlow the tune of the summer season award, he thanked Fergie for clearing the pattern and known as her 2007 hit one of many “greatest songs, most necessary songs of my childhood — it influenced my entire model so ‘First Class’ is me!”

Nicki’s Monster Medley

The VMAs stage was all shades of pink this yr for Video Vanguard Award recipient and VMAs co-host Nicki Minaj’s medley. The rapper gave a theatrical efficiency of “All Issues Go,” “Roman’s Revenge,” and delivered a brief a capella rendition of “Monster.” The efficiency concluded with some R-rated choreography for her newest single “Tremendous Freaky Woman,” which the Barbs have been entrance and heart for, singing alongside — typically louder than Minaj herself.

Måneskin Singer’s Cheeky Chaps

It wasn’t the primary time ass cheeks made an look on the VMAs stage (see Christina Aguilera’s 2002 efficiency of “Soiled”), however Måneskin singer David Damiano delivered to thoughts historic moments from MTV of yore — recalling Bowie, Madonna and David Lee Roth — and probably precipitated the cameras panning out momentarily. The Italian arena-rock revivalists at all times placed on a present, and a leather-chaps quantity baring a butt mid-verse is most definitely that. Aspect-note: there was far too little Victoria De Angelis proven throughout the broadcast, so right here she is beneath.

Dangerous Bunny Reigns Supreme

Dangerous Bunny made VMAs historical past on two counts this yr. First, he delivered his greatest Latin-nominated hit tune “Tití Me Preguntó” stay from Yankee Stadium — marking the primary distant broadcast by MTV from the enduring location — and it’s price noting that the artist kissed one in all his male dancers throughout the efficiency. And secondly, Dangerous Bunny is the first-ever non-English language artist to win a Moon Individual for artist of the yr. Moments after performing, the Puerto Rican famous person gave a quick speech thanking MTV and advised his viewers what the feat meant for “el orgullo Latino.” Dangerous Bunny was nominated alongside Drake, Ed Sheeran, Harry Kinds, Jack Harlow, Lil Nas X and Lizzo.

WORST

Lip-Sync Snafus

Stay awards reveals are tough and there’s no denying the quantity of labor put in to make them work — dump button abuse apart — nevertheless it appears at this yr’s awards, essentially the most conspicuous blunder was the apparent lip-syncing. Among the many repeat offenders are artists like Blackpink, Anitta and Flo Milli — who devoted consideration to their killer dance routines however left little room for the precise singing.

Johnny Depp Takes a Dive

Add this to the record of what we didn’t have to see at this yr’s MTV VMAs. Depp made a questionable appearance as a Moon Person, popping in for just a few random one-liners because the awards present returned from industrial breaks. Although Depp was not on the VMAs in his bodily kind, his face appeared digitally within the helmet of a Moon Individual floating above the stage. “And you recognize what? I wanted the work,” Depp mentioned throughout the starting of the present. “Hey VMAs, let’s get again to the fucking music, we could?” he mentioned in one other look, although his f-bomb was bleeped out for the published. And in a clip posted to his Instagram, Depp mentioned, “I simply need you guys to know that I’m obtainable for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, weddings, wakes, any previous factor you want.” This can be the actor’s try at easing again into the light-hearted persona he as soon as introduced to the world pre-Amber Heard trial, however the transfer definitely felt confused at greatest.

Flea’s F-Bomb Parade

On an evening when the bleep button was working time beyond regulation, it didn’t assist that some speeches have been simply plain unintelligible. To wit: Flea from the Chilli Peppers who, whereas accepting the award for greatest rock for his or her 2022 tune “Black Summer time,” rattled off so many names, themes and ideas that he appeared to throw off the designated dump staff. For the document, listed below are the components we may make out:
“To my bandmates: I really like you a lot. To my spouse, Melody, I really like you. To my youngsters, Sonny and Clara, I really like you. To everybody of you on the market watching on TV in right here, I really like you. I really like cockroaches and filth and timber and each human being and fish.  And deer and deer antlers and birds and sky and love. And all the things that isn’t love is cowardice. I really like you. Thanks a lot on your help.”