The Video Music Awards took the stage with live performances and awards for a safe, festive night aired on MTV Sunday, Aug. 30. To kick off the entertainment, well-known celebrities, including Machine Gun Kelly, Blackbear, Chloe x Halle, Jack Harlow, Lewis Capaldi, Tate Mcrae and Travis Barker,  performed a pre-show event that brought fans out of their seats. MTV’s Nessa Diab and Jamila Mustafa teamed together as well to host an additional 90 minute pre-show. 

The VMA’s hold the spot for being the first award show to host an event in person since the outbreak of COVID-19.

“Fan engagement is still going to be there within the safety guidelines,” 2020 VMA host Keke Palmer said.

Each artist performed on various outdoor stages due to outlined safety guidelines. 

Main performances included Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, who shared their hit song “Rain on Me.” Popular Korean boy group BTS also made their first VMA appearance, with a live performance of their English song “Dynamite.” Other artists such as The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, Doja Cat, DaBaby, Maluma, CNCO and Black Eyed Peas took the stage for performances of a lifetime. 

Both Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande individually had nine nominations, taking on a tie for most nominations this year, followed up by Billie Eilish and The Weeknd with six.

Categories and winners include these:

Video Of The Year

Winner: The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights”

Artist Of The Year 

Winner: Lady Gaga

Song Of The Year

Winner: Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain On Me”

Best Collaboration 

Winner: Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain On Me” 

Push Best New Artist

Winner: Doja Cat 

Best Pop

Winner: BTS – “On”

Best Hip-Hop 

Winner: Meg Thee Stallion – “Savage” 

Best Rock

Winner: Coldplay – “Orphans” 

Best Alternative 

Winner: Machine Gun Kelly – “Bloody Valentine” 

Best Latin

Winner: Maluma ft. J Balvin – “Qué Pena” 

Best R&B
Winner: The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights” 

Best K-Pop

Winner: BTS – “On” 

Video For Good 

Winner: H.E.R. – “I Can’t Breathe” 

Song Of Summer

Winner: Blackpink – “How You Like That” 

Best Music Video From Home 

Winner: Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber – “Stuck With U”

Best Group 

Winner: BTS 

Best Quarantine Performance 

Winner: CNCO – MTV Unplugged At Home 

Best Direction 

Winner: Taylor Swift – “The Man” – Directed by Taylor Swift 

Best Cinematography

Winner: Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – “Rain On Me” – Cinematography by Thomas Kloss 

Best Art Direction

Winner: Miley Cyrus – “Mothers Daughter” – Art Direction by Christian Stone 

Best Visual Effects 

Winner: Dua Lipa “Physical” – Warner Bros – Visuals by Eighty4 

Best Choreography

Winner: BTS – “On” – Choreography by Son Sung Deuk, Lee Ga Hun, Lee Byung Eun  

Best Editing 

Winner: Miley Cyrus – “Mother’s Daughter” – Edited by Alexandre Moors, Nuno Xico  

Everyday Heroes: Frontline Medical Workers honorees

Jason “Tik Tok Doc” Campbell

Dr. Elvis Francois and Dr. William Robinson, “Imagine”

Jefferson University Hospital’s Swab Squad, “Level Up”

Lori Marie Key, “Amazing Grace”

Dr. Nate Wood, “Lean on Me”