Well that was…an award show. Or something. It was nearly impossible to keep track of all the bizarre moments that happened during MTV’s Video Music Awards, which were clearly gunning for controversy, but here are the highlights of what you missed:
* NICKI MINAJ AND TAYLOR SWIFT MAKE UP
As expected, Minaj and Swift used the VMAs stage to officially end their Twitter feud from earlier this summer. Minaj kicked off the show solo with a performance of “The Night is Still Young” and Swift suddenly joined her in a surprise cameo — then they segued into “Bad Blood.” And they hugged.
Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus have words on stage.
A few days ago, Cyrus criticized Minaj’s behavior during the Swift feud. Minaj was not too pleased to hear that. “And now back to this b— that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press,” Minaj snapped when she got on stage to deliver her acceptance speech for Best Hip-Hop Video. “Don’t play with me, b—- …don’t play with me,” she later mouthed in Cyrus’s direction.* TAYLOR SWIFT TRIUMPHS
To the surprise of no one, Taylor Swift (the most-nominated artist of the show) walked away with the coveted Video of the Year prize. Even presenter O’Shea Jackson Jr. couldn’t pretend: “And the winner is — as if you didn’t know, Taylor Swift!” Still, Swift put on her surprise face as she gathered up her model and actress #squad for an acceptance speech, as they all played warriors in the video. “There’s been a lot of discussion about this video and what it means,” she said of her fiery song, thought to be about her feud with Katy Perry. “But I’m just happy that in 2015 we live in a world where boys can play princesses and girls can play soldiers.”
*MILEY CYRUS FLASHES THE CAMERA AND WEARS SOME INTERESTING COSTUMES
Shocked by either of those things? Well then you don’t know Miley Cyrus very well. Here’s a rundown of all of Cyrus’s crazy costume changes.
*KANYE WEST IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT
Just so you know, you can read his whole speech here, which eventually announces his candidacy.
*JUSTIN BIEBER FLIES ACROSS THE STAGE AND THEN STARTS OPENLY WEEPING
Why was the Biebs so emotional? After a dance-centric performance of his new song “What Do You Mean,” the pop star capped off a brief flight around the arena by breaking down in tears.
AND THE WINNERS ARE
Best Rock Video: Fall Out Boy for Uma Thurman
Best Pop Video: Taylor Swift for Blank Space
Best Collaboration: Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar for Bad Blood
Song of the Summer Award: Five Seconds of Summer for She’s Kinda Hot
Best Male Video Award: Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars for Uptown Funk
Best Hip Hop Video: Nicki Minaj for Anaconda
Best Female Video: Taylor Swift for Blank Space
Video with a Social Message: Big Sean, Kanye West and John Legend for One Man Can Change the World
Video Vanguard Award: Kanye West
Artist to Watch Award: Fetty Wap for Trap Queen
Video of the Year Award: Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar for Bad Blood.
