Pop singer Ariana Grande claimed the top prize at the MTV Video Music Awards, while Lady Gaga and Sabrina Carpenter scored major honours at a star-studded celebration of fan favourites in New York on Sunday.
In addition to video of the year, Grande took home the award for best pop video, and had the audience buzzing when she thanked her “therapists and gay people” during her acceptance speech.
Gaga, the night’s top nominee, kicked things off by winning artist of the year before later delivering on her promise to perform. She hit the stage at Madison Square Garden after her acceptance speech in a streamed performance, which sent the audience into a frenzy at the UBS Arena, where the VMAs were being held.
In her earlier remarks, Gaga stressed the deeper meaning of artistry.
“Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world,” said Gaga, who performed Abracadabra and The Dead Dance, a single from the Netflix series Wednesday. “Being an artist is a discipline and craft into reaching someone’s heart where it grows its roots, reminding them to dream. Being an artist is a responsibility to smile, dance, cry.”
She dedicated the award to her fans and paid homage to her fiance, Michael Polansky, who co-executive produced her latest album, Mayhem. “Creating with you has been a beautiful thing,” she said.
Going into the show, history was on the line with Taylor Swift and Beyonce vying to become the most awarded artist in VMAs history. Each have 30 and were only nominated in the artist of the year category, so Gaga’s win will leave them tied for another year.
Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin, Busta Rhymes honoured
Sabrina Carpenter claimed best album for Short n’ Sweet.
“I really don’t take for granted when you guys take the time out of your lives to listen to an album,” the pop singer said. “I’m just the luckiest girl in the world.”
Ricky Martin received the first-ever Latin Icon Award following an electric performance on the main stage. He spoke about his 40-year career in music, dedicating the award to his four kids.
Martin’s set served as an anniversary tribute coming 25 years after his breakout VMAs debut in 1999, when he made history as the first male Latin artist to win best pop video.
“I started when I was a baby working and we’re still here,” he marvelled, adding: “We just want to unite countries, we just want to break boundaries and we just want to keep music alive.”
Busta Rhymes was honoured with the first-ever MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award during the show and performed several of his hits, including Gimme Some More, Scenario, Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See and Pass the Courvoisier, Part II. Joyner Lucas, Papoose and GloRilla helped perform the songs with him.
In other awards, Alex Warren, the folk-pop singer behind chart-topping tune Ordinary, was named best new artist.
Tributes to Mariah Carey, Ozzy Osbourne
Mariah Carey reflected on her storied career as she accepted the video vanguard award. Grande presented the honour with a heartfelt tribute, calling Carey “the soundtrack of our lives.”
Grande added, “As a vocalist, there’s only one queen. And that’s Mariah.”
While taking the stage in a satin gold robe that gave way to a glittering bodysuit and matching heels, Carey delivered a career-spanning medley of hits from Fantasy to We Belong Together to Obsessed. The performance also spotlighted tracks from her landmark 10th album, The Emancipation of Mimi, which recently turned 20.
“I can’t believe I’m getting my first VMA tonight,” Carey said, before jokingly asking: “I have one question: What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for? I’m just kidding. Thank you. I love you.”
The late Ozzy Osbourne was celebrated in fitting fashion when some of rock’s biggest names took the stage in his honour. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, British firebrand YUNGBLUD and Nuno Bettencourt united to deliver a medley of Osbourne’s greatest hits, including Crazy Train, Changes and Mama, I’m Coming Home.
Osbourne’s son Jack and several of his children shared a video message to viewers.
“I know for sure it would make him incredibly happy to see these great musicians carry on his legacy and help inspire the next generation of rockers,” Jack Osbourne said.
Osbourne became a household name on MTV — also the home of the VMAs — with his family’s hit reality series The Osbournes, which ran from 2002 to 2005. That same year, the Prince of Darkness cemented his legacy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In addition to the tributes, a number of artists took to the stage, including Canada’s Tate McRae, Conan Gray, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, Alex Warren, J Balvin, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr.
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