2024 MTV Video Music Awards: A Celebration of Female Empowerment and Iconic Moments
The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards took place on Wednesday night, showcasing a vibrant celebration of female pop powerhouses, nostalgia, and a surprising extraterrestrial twist.
The evening was dominated by prominent women in the music industry, with Taylor Swift making a joyous return to the stage with her award show dance moves. Chappell Roan captivated audiences with her fiery VMA debut, while Sabrina Carpenter created buzz by sharing a kiss with an alien onstage. Katy Perry, too, left spectators in awe as she soared above the crowd during her performance, delivering a medley of her greatest hits.
Not to be overlooked, male performers Eminem and Lenny Kravitz contributed to the night’s entertainment. Eminem opened the event with a gripping performance of “Houdini” and “Somebody Save Me,” while Kravitz rocked the stage in his signature leather attire, presenting a revamped rendition of his classic track “Fly Away,” among others.
Hosted by Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion, the night was filled with notable moments. Here are some highlights.
Taylor Swift’s 9/11 Tribute and Call to Action
Taylor Swift honored the victims of the September 11 attacks of 2001 while accepting the evening’s first award. "I wanted to say waking up this morning in New York on September 11th, I’ve just been thinking about what happened 23 years ago, everyone who lost a loved one,” she stated. “Everyone that we lost and that is the most important thing about today. And everything that happens tonight falls behind that.”
Swift and Post Malone won best collaboration for their hit song “Fortnight” from Swift’s latest album “The Tortured Poets Department.” They also secured the final award of the night for video of the year, directed by Swift herself. She expressed gratitude to her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, for his support during her creative process, saying, “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.”
In concluding her heartfelt speech, Swift encouraged young voters to register for the upcoming 2024 presidential election: “I call on my supporters over 18 to please register to vote for something else that’s very important,” referencing her recent endorsement of Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter made headlines for her onstage kiss with an “alien” during her much-anticipated performance, which featured a mash-up of “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” The performance included backup dancers dressed as Moon People, a nod to the VMA trophies. Introducing Carpenter was pop icon Cyndi Lauper, who praised the rising star in a vintage Bob Mackie gown for her commanding presence within the music landscape.
Orlando Bloom’s Support for Katy Perry
In a touching moment, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry’s husband, introduced her as this year’s recipient of the VMA Video Vanguard Award. Bloom emphasized Perry’s role in bringing joy and inspiration to generations worldwide throughout her career.
Perry delivered an electrifying performance of her hits—including “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Firework”—while suspended on a harness. She concluded her set with her latest song, “Lifetimes,” thanking Bloom, their daughter Daisy, and her supportive fanbase, known as the Katycats.
Chappell Roan brought a theatrical flair to the stage, performing “Good Luck, Babe!” while dramatically igniting the backdrop with a flaming arrow. Dressed in medieval armor, Roan’s performance paid homage to Joan of Arc, reflecting her commitment to themed aesthetics.
Roan later took home the award for best new artist, acknowledging the “queer kids in the Midwest watching right now.” She affirmed, “I see you, I understand you, because I am one of you,” urging her fans to embrace their true selves.
In a nostalgic nod to the network’s past, Carson Daly, former host of MTV’s “Total Request Live,” introduced himself before presenting the award for best K-Pop to Lisa for her song “Rockstar.” "For those of you who are too young to know who I am, I was the host of a show on MTV called Total Request Live or TRL,” Daly remarked. “It was the best, best show."
As the night unfolded, the 2024 VMAs celebrated impactful performances and empowering moments, solidifying the significance of female artists within the music industry.
