This year, Music Television (MTV) celebrated its Video Music Awards (VMA)’s 40th anniversary. The award show began in 1984 and annually honors music legends and standouts with awards. With countless talented artists in attendance and no shortage of innovative songs, the 2024 VMA MTV Awards were sure to be exciting.
To celebrate the milestone, celebrities at the event referenced past moments throughout the show’s history such as Britney Spears and Madonna’s kiss in 2003 and timeless outfits. Megan Thee Stallion, who hosted the VMAs this year, wore Britney Spears’ legendary “Slave 4 U” outfit with a bonus—a real snake. Moreover, artist Sabrina Carpenter copied the 2003 kiss with an Alien, a sight the audience was surprised to see.
Multiple artists performed at the show like Chappell Roan, who performed her hit song “Good Luck Babe” in Knight’s armor. Other performers included rapper Eminem, who opened the show, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, and Rauw Alejandro.
Additionally, attendees donned different outfits, some new and some reflecting past VMA ensembles. For example, “Greedy” singer Tate McRae recreated Britney Spears’ outfit from the 2001 show and Sabrina Carpenter revived a dress worn by Madonna at the 1991 Academy Awards in which she performed. Other artists went a different path, including Tyla’s Area yellow string-like dress, Taylor Swift’s “Down Bad” themed dress, and Anitta’s Dolce & Gabbana bridal dress.
The show also awarded many new artists this year. Chappell Roan won her first VMA for Best New Artist and Tyla won Best Afrobeats. Taylor Swift and Post Malone’s “Fortnight” took home multiple awards, including Song of the Summer, Best Video, and Best Collaboration. Swift herself won Best Artist and has now accumulated thirty VMAs, the most in history.
Other unforgettable moments include rapper Flavor Flav presenting Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles with a shiny clock medal who remarked, “I know they [Olympic judges] tried to take your medal away from you.” During the 2024 Olympics, Chiles got her bronze medal taken away following an error on the judges’ end.
Additionally, Katy Perry, who won the 2024 Video Vanguard award, performed songs from her discography and surprised viewers by flying around the stage, wearing butterfly wings, and ending her performance with an animatronic butterfly and a kiss with husband Orlando Bloom, who presented the award.
Despite all this, few people mentioned the tragedy that occurred on September 11th. The VMAs was originally scheduled for September 10th, but the debate between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump forced MTV to move it. However, many thought it was unusual to not host the ceremony on the 12th.
In her VMA speech, Taylor Swift said, “[While] waking up this morning in New York on September 11th, I’ve just been thinking about what happened 23 years ago…That is the most important thing today.” She also reminded people to go out and vote following her Instagram post endorsing Kamala Harris, as well as encouraging voters to do their own research the night before.
The 2024 VMAs remarkably celebrated its 40th from illustrious outfits to pivotal performances. For fans, this specific ceremony was one for the books.
