The 2024 Video Music Awards (VMAs) were chock full of stars, songs and show-stopping moments, yet they were also riddled with controversy — which is par for the course with this award show’s iconic legacy of scandal.
This year’s VMAs took place on the evening of Sept. 11 and marked the 40th year of the award ceremony, which is hosted and sponsored by MTV. The show has also been known for spawning many iconic pop culture moments. From Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, infamously interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance of “Best Female Video,” sparking a long-running feud, to Britney Spears dancing with a live snake on stage to Lady Gaga’s red-carpet-ready meat dress, the VMAs have regularly provided some of the most iconic pop culture moments of the year.
In many ways, this year was no different. The night was hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, an artist with her own share of recent drama — in particular, her conflict with fellow female rapper Nicki Minaj, who wrote and released a diss track about Megan earlier this year. This time, Megan wasn’t in the spotlight for conflict, but instead for her lively and engaged hosting and noteworthy performance of several of her latest songs. Megan had seven outfit changes throughout the night, donning everything from a dramatic, structured black ball gown to an Egyptian pharaoh-inspired outfit. As a nod to past VMAs, one of these outfits included a reference to the aforementioned Britney moment, with the rapper coming out on stage holding a giant snake.
As for the awards side of the night, Taylor Swift swept the competition, winning seven awards, including video of the year — the show’s penultimate honor — for her video “Fortnight” with Post Malone. She also won best collaboration, best editing and best direction for the video. Sabrina Carpenter won best song for her summer hit “Espresso” and Megan took home two awards; best trending video for her song “Mamushi” and best art direction for her song “BOA.”
One of the most contentious awards was most iconic performance, a new category, going to Katy Perry for her 2013 VMAs performance of “Roar.” Many took to social media after the show, claiming other artists deserve the honor more. Furthering the backlash was the fact that Perry has recently come under fire for working with Lukasz Gottwald (Dr. Luke), who has been accused of drugging and raping fellow artist Kesha, on her new album “143,” as well as a poorly received performance with artist Doechii the night of the ceremony.
The showstopper of the night was, indisputably, the winner of the award for best new artist: Chappell Roan. Roan, who has been releasing music since 2014, experienced a meteoric rise to fame over the summer, marked by sold-out concerts, songs reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and festival crowds so large they could have been fire hazards. She is known for complex, glittery and unique performance looks inspired by drag and queer culture; her songs, sound and look all take inspiration from her own personal experience in the community.
Roan started the night in a look inspired by Joan of Arc, donning a flowy dress, vintage cloak and even a sword on the red carpet. Still, she faced some backlash during this debut after a photographer allegedly yelled at her to “shut the fuck up” when she turned around and was not responding to requests for photos — she responded by yelling back, “No, you shut the fuck up!”
However, the night quickly turned around for Roan, as she performed a set that will undoubtedly go down in VMA history. In a tightly choreographed number with over 10 background dancers all dressed in full feudal regalia, Roan emerged from the background of a castle before shooting a flaming arrow at the facade, causing the set to burn behind her while she performed her highest charting song yet, “Good Luck, Babe!” She went on to accept the award for best new artist, dedicating her victory to “all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now.”
Overall, the night continued the VMAs’ long tradition of forging controversies for the internet to debate over the next week, cementing touchstones of certain artists’ rising careers and giving flowers to some of the most popular or talked about acts of the year — deserving or not.
