Under the leadership of the singer Doja Cat, and from the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn neighborhood, Justin Bieber and The Kid LAROI opened the ceremony, followed by Olivia Rodrigo, who performed the song “Good for you.”
Olivia Rodrigo, the first MTV VMA winner
Singer Jennifer Lopez delivered the first Moon Person of the night to Olivia Rodrigo in the category of “Song of the Year”, who dedicated it “to the girls who write and compose songs lying on the floor of their rooms”.
Halley Bieber, wife of Justin Bieber, introduced Kacey Musgraves.
The band Twenty one pilots took the stage to perform “Saturday” and right in the middle of the song, the lead singer, Tyler Joseph, revealed that his wife was expecting their second child.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkTraI380Qs
Cyndi Lauper seeks female empowerment
Singer Cyndi Lauper came on stage and excitedly shared with the audience: “I won a Moon Person in 1984. Things are a little different now. Yes, the girls want to have fun. But we also want to have funds and equal pay. Control over! our bodies! You know, fundamental rights. ”
Justin Bieber won the award in the category of “Best Pop” for the video “Peaches”, along with Daniel Caesar and Geveon.
Lil Nas X, one of the most anticipated moments
Actor Billy Porter came out on stage and said, “When I was starting out in this, the world was not ready for me, but I am very happy to witness the changes.”
He then introduced singer Lil Nas X, who dressed in pink and with a band took the stage to sing “Industry Baby” and “Montero.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RiU2APCzN4
Ozuna, the Latin flavor
Other recognitions followed, such as “Video with a cause” for Billie Eilish, for the song “Your Power”; “Artist of the Year” for Justin Bieber, and “Best Hip Hop” for Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & MIA for ‘FRANCHISE’.
The night should also have a Latin flavor and the person in charge of putting it was the Puerto Rican Ozuna, who along with 18 dancers disguised as teddy bears, performed and danced “La Funka”
The most anticipated: Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes
Without a doubt, one of the most anticipated was Camila Cabello, who dressed as a flamenco dancer took the stage to sing “Don’t go yet” with more than 14 dancers.
Cabello then introduced Shawn Mendes, who in a pink and white striped sweater and white pants performed “Summer of Love.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmoiFfR0Ag4
Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and 98 Degrees, together for pop
Lance Bass, Nick Lachey and AJ McLean, all belonging to the famous boy bands of the nineties, were in charge of giving the trophy for “Best Pop” for BTS for the song “Butter”. In a video, the members of the Korean group thanked “for the love they have received in 2021.”
Billie Eilish presented the Global Icon Award to the rock band Foo Fighters, who after taking the stage and singing “Learn to fly”, “Shame, shame” and “Everylong”, in the voice of their vocalist, Dave Grohl, thanked MTV : “We want to thank the people of MTV past and present. See you in 26 years.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyhNlZnsju4
The Moon Person for video of the year
Alicia Keys, in a gold dress by the Venezuelan designer Carolina Herrera, lit up the outdoor stage and with the background of the island of Manhattan to sing along with Swae Lee her latest single “laLa” and the classic “Empire State of Mind”. “I love you New York!” The singer shouted excitedly.
Finally, the categories of “Alternative”, “Best new artist” and the most anticipated, “Best Video” were recognized, the same that the rocker David Lee Roth delivered to Lil Nas X for “Montero (Call me by your name)” .
Kourtney Kardahian and Megan Fox introduced Machine Gun Kelly, who closed the evening with the song “Papercut.”
“Happy birthday MTV!”, were the words with which Doja Cat dismissed the ceremony.