Emily Zemler
Updated on: October 11, 2024 1:15 am GMT
The 40th MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), held late Wednesday at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, was a night of celebration, reflection, and spectacular performances. The star-studded event recognized the biggest names in music while paying homage to the show’s legendary history. Among the evening’s highlights were notable performances and numerous awards, showcasing both established stars and newcomers in the industry.
Significant Winners and Their Achievements
The night predominantly belonged to Taylor Swift, who emerged as the evening’s biggest winner. Swift took home a remarkable seven awards, including the coveted video of the year for her song “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone. This accolade marks the third consecutive year Swift has clinched this award, following her wins in 2023 and 2022 with “Anti-Hero” and “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version),” respectively. With this latest triumph, Swift raised her career total to 30 VMAs, tying her with Beyoncé for the most awards won by a female artist.
- Artist of the Year: Swift won this title for the second consecutive year, making her the first artist to achieve this milestone.
- Influential Acceptance Speeches: In her first acceptance speech, Swift honored the victims of 9/11 and later acknowledged her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, prompting a warm response from the audience. Swift emphasized their shared experiences during her projects, saying, “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.”
- Encouragement for Civic Engagement: Swift concluded her speech by urging fans aged 18 and over to register to vote in upcoming elections, which reportedly led to a surge in traffic to the voter registration website.
Emerging Talent Shines
Chappell Roan, a rising star in the music scene, made a memorable debut at the VMAs, winning the award for best new artist. While accepting her award, Roan dedicated her victory to drag artists who inspire her. “To all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you. I understand you, because I’m one of you,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-expression.
During the show, Roan performed her hit “Good Luck Babe” clad in a suit of armor and wielding a lit crossbow. Her performance featured dramatic visuals with backup dancers representing knights battling onstage against the backdrop of a burning castle.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Summer Soundtrack
Another standout was Sabrina Carpenter, who showcased her musical versatility through a medley of her summer hits, including “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and “Espresso.” Carpenter’s performance included playful interactions with a blue alien character and lively choreography. She graciously accepted the award for her song “Espresso,” expressing gratitude to her fans and loved ones during her speech.
Tributes and Special Moments
The evening also featured notable tribute performances that harkened back to the VMAs’ storied past. Eminem kicked off the show with a dynamic medley of his greatest hits, accompanied by lookalikes of his Slim Shady persona, reminiscent of his performance in 2000. The veteran rapper received two awards, raising his total to 15 VMAs, the highest of any male artist.
Megan Thee Stallion, who hosted the event, delivered electrifying performances and a memorable outfit change that paid homage to Britney Spears’ iconic “I’m a Slave 4 U” performance from 2001, enhancing the evening’s celebratory tone.
A Special Surprise for Jordan Chiles
In an unexpected segment, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles was presented with a symbolic bronze clock necklace by rapper Flavor Flav. This gesture came after a recent controversy regarding Chiles’ bronze medal in the women’s floor exercise final, which was revoked following a scoring appeal. Flavor Flav’s heartfelt acknowledgment of her situation resonated with the audience as he said, “I know they tried to take your medal away from you, but you know what? I got you something that they can’t take away from you.” Chiles expressed her disbelief and appreciation during the touching moment.
Katy Perry’s Retro Performance
Veteran pop superstar Katy Perry delivered an elaborate nearly 10-minute-long mashup of her greatest hits, including “E.T.,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Firework.” Her performance was a visual spectacle featuring aerial acrobatics, a piano dance, and stunning butterfly wings. Perry also received the Video Vanguard Award, recognizing her significant contributions to the music landscape over the years.
Conclusion
The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards was a big celebration of music! It showed how music has changed over the years while also honoring its amazing history. The night was filled with exciting performances, inspiring speeches, and lots of talented winners. It really showed how music and art are important in our lives today.
