The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) were full of exciting and memorable moments! Hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, the event took place at UBS Arena in New York on September 11, 2024.
With amazing performances from stars like Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, and LL Cool J, the night celebrated the best music from the past year. Here are the top 10 moments from the 2024 VMAs that everyone is talking about!
1. Flavor Flav Surprises Olympian Jordan Chiles with a Bronze Clock and Cash Prize
Flavor Flav, a member of the famous rap group Public Enemy, kicked off the night with a kind and unexpected gesture.
He was on stage with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles to present the award for Best Collaboration, which went to Taylor Swift and Post Malone for their hit song “Fortnight.” But the real surprise came when Flavor Flav turned to Chiles.
She had recently lost her bronze medal from the Olympics, so he decided to cheer her up.
Flavor Flav gave her a bronze clock necklace as a fun nod to his signature look. Then, he made an even bigger announcement—he would give her the cash prize she would have received for winning third place! “I got your prize money,” he said, adding, “Congratulations. You deserve everything.” It was a sweet and touching moment!
2. Taylor Swift and Post Malone’s Heartfelt Acceptance Speech
Taylor Swift and Post Malone won the first award of the night for Best Collaboration with their song “Fortnight,” performed by The Tortured Poets Department. When they went on stage to accept the award, Taylor said that she admired Post, calling him “ridiculously talented, versatile, and the most down-to-earth person.”
Post responded by calling Taylor “one of the most kind and talented people” he had ever met. Their kind words and friendship shined through, making it one of the most heartfelt moments of the night.
3. Megan Thee Stallion Channels Britney Spears
Megan Thee Stallion, who hosted the VMAs, kept the audience entertained with her amazing outfits. One of her looks was a tribute to Britney Spears’ famous performance at the 2001 VMAs when Britney performed “I’m a Slave 4 U” with a giant snake.
Megan wore a green bra top and carried a yellow snake, recreating Britney’s unforgettable look. Even though she wasn’t as comfortable with the snake, she eventually asked for it to be removed, adding a bit of humor to the tribute.
The Britney references didn’t stop there! Tate McRae also wore an outfit inspired by another one of Britney’s classic VMAs looks.
4. Sabrina Carpenter’s Alien Kiss and Britney Tribute
Sabrina Carpenter delivered a jaw-dropping performance at the VMAs that included a playful nod to Britney Spears. Her performance featured astronauts and an alien, mixing a space theme with a fun nod to Britney’s “Oops!…I Did It Again” music video.
In a surprising twist, Sabrina kissed the alien on stage before launching into her hit song “Espresso.” The mix of nostalgia and creativity made her performance a standout moment of the night.
5. Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry’s Heartwarming Onstage Moment
Katy Perry was honored with the Video Vanguard Award, which was a huge highlight of the night. But it was her partner, Orlando Bloom, who stole the show when he introduced her.
Orlando’s touching words—”You fell in love with her as Katy Perry. I fell in love with her as Katheryn Hudson”—showed both the pop star and the real person behind her stage name. After his heartfelt introduction, Katy performed a powerful medley of her greatest hits.
When she finished, Orlando came on stage to give her a kiss, celebrating her achievement with love and support.
6. Chappell Roan’s Fiery Debut Performance
Chappell Roan made a fiery debut at the VMAs with a performance that amazed everyone. Wearing a suit of armor, she began her set by shooting a flaming crossbow at a castle backdrop, setting the stage for a medieval-themed show.
Introduced by famous drag queen Sasha Colby, Chappell performed her song “Good Luck, Babe!” while dancing with knights holding swords. Her impressive performance earned a huge round of applause from the audience.
7. Halsey’s Throwback Rock Performance
Halsey took everyone back to the early 2000s with a nostalgic performance of her new single, “Ego.” She rocked out in a garage-themed set, wearing a sleeveless collared shirt, a black tie, cutoff jeans, and Converse sneakers.
She performed with her band, which included Måneskin bassist Victoria De Angelis. The grunge-style look and high-energy performance reminded fans of the pop-rock era, making Halsey’s set one of the night’s best.
8. Chappell Roan’s Emotional Best New Artist Speech
Chappell Roan continued to shine when she won the award for Best New Artist, beating out artists like Gracie Abrams and Tyla. Wearing a sparkling chainmail dress, she gave a heartfelt speech, thanking her fans, MTV, her record label, and the LGBTQ+ community that inspires her music.
“Thank you to the people who are fans, who listen to me, who hear me when I share my joy and my fears,” she said. She ended with a special message to queer kids in the Midwest: “I see you. I understand you, because I’m one of you.”
9. LL Cool J’s Hip-Hop Medley Brings the House Down
This year’s VMAs celebrated 40 years of both the awards show and Def Jam Recordings, one of the most famous hip-hop labels ever. To honor this milestone, LL Cool J, a legendary Def Jam artist, took the stage with Flavor Flav and Chuck D from Public Enemy.
They performed a medley of their hits like “Mama Said Knock You Out” and “Bring the Noise.” The performance was a great trip down memory lane, celebrating four decades of hip-hop history.
10. Taylor Swift’s Sweet Shout-Out to Travis Kelce
In a very sweet moment, Taylor Swift gave a special shout-out to her boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, while accepting the Video of the Year award for her song “Fortnight.” Taylor shared how much Travis’s presence on set meant to her.
“When I would finish a take and say ‘cut,’ I would always hear someone cheering from across the studio,” she said. It was Travis who added “happiness and fun and magic” to the video shoot. The crowd loved this moment and cheered for the happy couple.
Conclusion
The 2024 MTV VMAs were filled with unforgettable moments, from touching speeches and heartfelt tributes to incredible performances and surprising gestures.
Whether it was Flavor Flav’s surprise gift to Jordan Chiles, Chappell Roan’s fiery debut, or Taylor Swift’s loving shout-out to her boyfriend, the night was full of moments that will be remembered for years to come.
The VMAs always provide a stage for artists to shine and push the boundaries of entertainment.
What was your favorite moment from the 2024 MTV VMAs? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family!
