An unforgettable Katy Perry hosted the VMAS with performances by Ed Sheeran and Miley Cyrus.
The VMAS was also graced by touching performances and powerful speeches from music icons. Logic performed his song 1-800-273-8255, named after the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. He was joined onstage with suicide attempt survivors as well as singers Alessia Cara who won best dance video and Khalid who won best new artist winner. Kesha who introduced the performance, also offered words of encouragement saying, “As long as you don’t give up on yourself, light will break through the darkness.”
Pink also displayed emotions after she received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, she told the audience a story about her daughter who sat in the crowd with her father Carey Hart. She said her daughter had recently said ”I’m the ugliest girl I know … I look like a boy with long hair.” Katey had told her that she was beautiful and that she loved her after which she showed her photos of performers such as Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, George Michael, Elton John and Freddie Mercury.
The VMAS became more emotional after Rock singer and Oscar winner Jared Leto remembered Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, who hanged himself a month ago. Leto further mentioned Chris Cornell, who also committed suicide in May. He had said, “I think about his band, who were really his brothers, and I remember his voice,” Leto said of Bennington. “That voice will live forever.” “Hear me now, you are not alone. There is always a way forward. Reach out. Share your thoughts. Do not give up,” Leto added.
Going a bit political, the night focused on on the 12 August rally in Charlottesville, Virginia that turned violent after Nazis and white nationalists opposed to the city’s plan to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. It was reported that a car had crashed into the crowed and killed Heather Heyer, 32. The Rev. Robert Wright Lee IV, a descendent of Gen. Lee, told the audience: “As a pastor it is my duty to speak out against racism, America’s original sin.” Heyer’s mother was present and later entered the stage telling the audience, “Only 15 days my ago, my daughter Heather was killed as she protested racism. I miss her but I know she’s here tonight.”
This part of the night pulled a lot of sympathizers as Paris Jackson joined by speaking against hatred.“We must show these Nazi white supremacist jerks in Charlottesville, and all over the country, that as a nation with liberty as our slogan, we have zero tolerance for their violence and their hatred and their discrimination. We must resist,” late Michael Jackson’s eldest daughter said before presenting an award.
The night became cheerful once more as Lamar kicked off his performance followed by the premiere of Swift’s video for Look What You Made Me Do, which featured the singer dressed like a zombie in one scene and surrounded by slithering snakes in another. The video for the track, rumored to be a diss toward Kanye West, also featured Swift in a tub of diamonds, a cat mask, and a car that crashed (she was holding a Grammy). The clip ended with a dozen of Swifts in memorable outfits she’s worn in the past which symbolised how the singer felt the media has portrayed her through the years. Swift and Zayn, who unfortunately didn’t attend the show, won best collaboration for I Don’t Wanna Live Forever. Jack Antonoff and Sam Dew, who wrote the song alongside Swift, accepted the award.Sheeran who won artist of the year, performed his hit, Shape of You, and was later joined by rapper Lil Uzi Vert. He acknowledged his fans saying, “Thank you to all the fans,” Sheeran said.
Best pop video award was given to Fifth Harmony who lost a group member last year. Ally Brooke and Dinah Jane of the group were in tears as they accepted the award alongside Normani Kordei, Lauren Jauregui and rapper Gucci Mane. Jane said, ”This is honestly so unreal. Thank you to God and thank you to our families,”
Lorde sadly had a flu and danced throughout the performance of Homemade Dynamite instead of singing it. She was spotted wearing a tin foil half dress, pants and sneakers. Lamar outshone DJ Khaled, Cara, Bruno Mars and Weekend after he won video of the year. Lil Uzi’s XO Tour Life won song of summer.
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