MTV’s Video Music Awards 2020: Woman Gaga Wins Large At Socially Distanced And Socially Conscious Occasion

New York:

Woman Gaga cleaned up at MTV’s Video Music Awards Sunday, an unorthodox present that paid socially distanced homage to New York Metropolis as themes of voting and racial justice punctuated the night time. The 2020 VMAs – a present identified extra for ostentatious performances, made-for-Twitter moments and wild costumes than the precise awards – was scaled again as a result of coronavirus pandemic, with performances held at out of doors areas and lots of celebrities accepting prizes through video.

Host Keke Palmer, identified for her function in final yr’s movie Hustlers, opened the present with an emotional cold-open paying tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, who simply died after of most cancers. “We dedicate tonight’s present to a person whose spirit touched so many,” she mentioned of the performer who portrayed James Brown and Jackie Robinson, and was the primary Black superhero in Black Panther.

Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd – whose wins included the coveted Video of The Yr – then launched right into a efficiency of the hit Blinding Lights atop a viewing deck protruding off a Manhattan skyscraper, 1,000 ft within the air.

“It is actually arduous for me to have a good time proper now,” he mentioned in accepting his moon man trophy for Finest R&B. “I am simply going to say justice for Jacob Blake and justice for Breonna Taylor,” he continued, referring to latest black victims of police violence.

It was one among many nods to the Black Lives Matter motion, acknowledging a yr that has seen months of anti-racism protests.

A number of stars additionally inspired voting throughout the present the place the Joe Biden marketing campaign purchased quite a few commercials in a bid to achieve youth in his marketing campaign towards President Donald Trump.

Woman Gaga took dwelling trophies together with Artist of the Yr and Music of the Yr for Rain on Me, her collaboration with Ariana Grande.

The pair staged a futuristic efficiency atop the Empire State Constructing, each masked, with Gaga in a BDSM-esque corseted get-up, one among her many eccentric costumes of the night time.

The 34-year-old – who famously wore a costume crafted of uncooked flank steak to the 2010 VMAs – additionally received the present’s inaugural “Tricon Award,” which acknowledges an artist who is extremely completed throughout three or extra disciplines.

“This has not been a straightforward yr for lots of people, however what I see on the earth is an enormous triumph of braveness,” she mentioned. “Keep secure. Communicate your thoughts and, I would sound like a damaged report, however put on a masks. It is a signal of respect.”

Exempt From Quarantine

The present featured sweeping pans of New York, a metropolis devastated within the early days of the coronavirus pandemic and that initially was meant to host the VMAs at Brooklyn’s Barclays Heart.

Along with the Empire State Constructing, performances had been additionally held on the waterfront Skyline Drive-in theater, with an viewers watching from spaced-out automobiles.

Performers and crew at this yr’s VMAs had been exempt from New York’s statewide necessary two-week quarantine imposed on vacationers coming from areas with excessive charges of Covid-19.

The state’s Division of Well being mentioned these concerned with the present had been required to quarantine when not working and undergo “rigorous testing.”

This yr’s version included new awards recognizing the tumultuous yr in music, with the pandemic halting excursions and festivals worldwide in a devastating blow to the business.

The present additionally honoured healthcare staff with a tribute to docs and nurses singing and dancing in crowd-sourced movies.

Grande and fellow pop star Justin Bieber received Finest Music Video From Dwelling for Caught With You, whereas Latin boy band CNCO received Finest Quarantine Efficiency for Unplugged At Dwelling.

And whereas American pop regulars together with Gaga, Grande and Taylor Swift all took dwelling trophies, they had been upset of their style’s major class by Korean megastars BTS, which received for Finest Pop for On.

The group held a green-screen efficiency that positioned them in entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge in a shot recalling the traditional movie As soon as Upon A Time in America that starred Robert DeNiro.

Miley Cyrus in the meantime carried out Midnight Sky whereas swinging on a disco ball, recalling her Wrecking Ball music video.

Colombian singer Maluma received Finest Latin for Que Pena that includes J Balvin, as R&B prodigy H.E.R. received MTV’s Video For Good, which honors work with a social message, for I Cannot Breathe.

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion – at the moment basking within the glow of her latest success with Cardi B for his or her raunchy hit WAP – received Finest Hip Hop for Savage. The star accepted her award from dwelling, popping champagne sporting spandex shorts and a T-shirt.

(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)