All language subtitles for 2021 MTV Video Music Awards_EN

- ♪ MTV ♪

Downloaded

- ♪ I got you ♪

- That's right.
That's right.

Welcome to the 2021 MTV Video
Music Awards Pre-Show.

Official

We're here in Brooklyn,
New York,

on the red carpet
at the Barclays Center

gearing up for
an incredible show.

As you could see, the energy
out here is crazy tonight.

As always, tonight's show
will be jam-packed

with the hottest artists

that dominated your speakers
and your screens all year

like Olivia Rodrigo,
Lil Nas X,

Normani and Justin Bieber,

and that's just
to name a few.

I'm Nessa,
one of your hosts tonight,

and I'll be joined
by my all-female hosting team.

We will be running
this red carpet, okay?

Say hi to my cohost, Jamila...

- ♪ And even if I wanted
to, I can't stop ♪

[laughter]

- And recording artist,
pop star

and tonight's celebrity
correspondent, Tinashe.

[cheers and applause]

That's right. This is going
to be a ton of fun,

and until the main show starts,

we're here on the carpet
counting down

with exclusive performances,
interviews and awards.

This is the best party
of the year,

so let's not waste
any more time getting into it.

Oh, by the way,
I saw Doja Cat.

All right. Let's see
what's going on with Jamila.

Who do you have over there?

- Thank you so much, Nessa.

Now, this carpet is going
to be red-hot tonight,

and heating things up right now

is an incredible artist
who's performing,

and not only that,
he's nominated for one,

two, three, four, five,
six nominations for VMAs!

It's Lil Nas X.

[cheers and applause]

- Yay, Lil Nas!
Good for me!

- Let's jump right into it.

We already talked
about the accolades.

How does it feel being back
on the red carpet for the VMAs?

- Wow, I'm nervous as [bleep].

Everything feels good.
It feels good though, you know?

I'm happy.
- Now, in 2019

when you accepted your award,

you rolled out a scroll, okay?
If you do win tonight,

do you have another scroll,
and where are you hiding it at?

- I don't know
what I'm going to do

when I win tonight honestly,

but, you know, it's going to be
something great. Yeah.

- Listen.
I see how you threw in,

"When I win," okay?
That's how you claim it, okay?

- Manifestation.

- Manifestation,
and you performed "Panini"

on the main stage
as well back in 2019.

I mean, it was iconic.
Do you plan on topping that?

Do you try to outdo
your performances or...

- Absolutely.

This is going to be one
to remember.

It's going to be
a really good performance.

- Okay. How you topping it?
Tell me in this ear.

- I can't... Look.

- I got you. Now listen.

Also, okay, you know,
your debut album...

- My debut album.

- Your debut...
Say it in the mic.

- "Montero," my debut album,
"Montero"...

- Comes out...
-... September 17th...

-... 17th. You... He's...
-... Friday.

- He taking all my lines.
September 17th.

- I'm sorry.
It's going to be a...

- But it is one question.
-... world-stomper.

You ready for it?
- A world-stomper?

- You ready?
- This is my question for you.

What direction are you taking
"Montero" in?

What can your fans expect?
Because it's hard.

- The future.

- Mm.
- The future.

- Sum up the future
in one word.

- We're going to say
the future.

- What does that look
like for you?

- The future looks like,
"Montero,"

the album, September 17th.

- [laughs]

Listen. Thank you so much
for chatting with me,

Lil Nas X.
Listen.

I know that you are going to
have an amazing show tonight.

You have so much in store.
Go ahead.

Let me see that cape walk off.
Let me...

Oh, I love it. I love it.

Okay. Enough of him.
Put the carpet on me.

I have to see what else
is going on on the red carpet.

[cheers and applause]

- What's up, everyone?

I'm coming to you straight
from the fan pit.

There isn't a better place
to be if you love music,

and we, myself included,
are so excited

about what's going to happen
tonight like introducing

our first preshow performer.
Are you guys ready?

[cheering]

This Chicago-born rapper
dropped his third studio album,

"Hall of Fame," this summer,

and it immediately
became a number one.

Please give it up for...
Say it with me, you guys!

One, two, three, Polo G!"

[Polo G's "RAPSTAR"]

♪ ♪

- ♪ Shout-out my [...] Cinco ♪

♪ ♪

- ♪ Uh, copped a BMW ♪

♪ New deposit,
I picked up another bag ♪

♪ Like
I'ma count while I'm in it ♪

♪ I hear planes flying ♪

♪ Crowds screaming,
money counters ♪

♪ Chains clanging ♪

♪ I guess that's how it sound
when you winning ♪

♪ I ain't joking ♪

♪ Do it sound
like I'm kidding ♪

♪ I been making like
2,000 a minute ♪

♪ So high up through the
clouds, I was swimming ♪

♪ I'm probably going to drown
when I'm in it ♪

♪ I bet she going
to get loud when I'm ♪

♪ And we might have a--
I won't love a-- ♪

♪ After we [...]
she can't get near me ♪

♪ Only [...] I give a
conversation to is Siri ♪

♪ My pants Amiri ♪

♪ Yes, I'm winning, clearly ♪

♪ I'm the chosen one,
seen my potential ♪

♪ So they fear me ♪

- Polo G!
- Polo G, over here!

♪ Lately I've been praying ♪

♪ God, I wonder,
can you hear me ♪

♪ Thinking about the old me ♪

♪ I swear I miss you dearly ♪

♪ Stay down until you come up ♪

♪ I've been sticking
to that theory ♪

♪ Every day a battle,
I'm exhausted, and I'm weary ♪

♪ Make sure I smile in public ♪

♪ When alone, my eyes teary ♪

♪ I fought through it all ♪

♪ But that [...] hurt me
severely ♪

♪ I've been getting high
to hide behind my insecurity ♪

♪ Taking different pills,
but I know it ain't gon'-- ♪

♪ Copped a BMW ♪

♪ New deposit,
I picked up another bag ♪

♪ Like [...]
I'ma count while I'm in it ♪

♪ I hear planes flying,
crowds screaming ♪

♪ Money counters,
chains clanging ♪

♪ I guess
that's how that sound ♪

♪ When you say
I ain't joking ♪

♪ Do it sound
like I'm kidding ♪

♪ I been making like
2,000 a minute ♪

♪ So high up through
the clouds, I was swimming ♪

♪ I'm probably going to drown
when I'm in it ♪

♪ I bet she going to get loud
when I'm [...] ♪

♪ They say I'm Pac rebirthed ♪

♪ Never put out a weak verse ♪

♪ Homicides when we lurk ♪

♪ I'm a step
until my feet hurt ♪

♪ Been putting them
streets first ♪

♪ White tees
turned burgundy T-shirts ♪

♪ Looking for something real ♪

♪ He stuck in a deep search ♪

♪ Anxiety killing me,
I just want to leave Earth ♪

♪ When they ask if I'm okay ♪

♪ That just make
everything seem worse ♪

♪ Try and explain
your feelings ♪

♪ Sound like something
you rehearsed ♪

♪ Stabbed me in my back
with a clean smirk ♪

♪ Looking so deep
into your eyes ♪

♪ I can read your thoughts ♪

♪ So shut the--
I mean, please don't talk ♪

♪ I done been through too much,
and I don't need another loss ♪

♪ Put that on every war scar
for every battle I fought ♪

♪ Copped a BMW,
new deposit ♪

♪ I picked up another bag ♪

♪ Like yeah,
I'ma count when I'm in it ♪

♪ I hear planes flying,
crowds screaming ♪

♪ Money counters,
chains clanging ♪

♪ I guess that's how it sound
what you say? ♪

♪ I ain't joking
Do it sound like I'm kidding? ♪

♪ I been making like
2,000 a minute ♪

♪ So high up through
the clouds, I was swimming ♪

♪ I'm probably going to drown
when I'm in it ♪

♪ I bet she going to get loud
when I'm [...] ♪

♪ And we might have a child
when I'm finished ♪

♪ When I'm finished
When I'm finished ♪

VMAs, thanks for having me.

♪ ♪

- Listen, now, that's how
you kick off a pre-show.

I mean, do I even have
to introduce

this incredible artist
that I'm right here next to?

They've been chanting
your name all day, Doja Cat.

Listen. You are here.
Congratulations.

Now I want to go back
a little bit with you, Doja.

Last year
was your first VMAs.

This year,
you're running the show.

I feel like you gave me
a job this year. Thank you.

- I still haven't
processed it yet.

This is amazing.

- Yes.
- This is amazing.

- Now this is from my
understanding first time

in history a host

is going to be performing
as well as nominated.

You have different hats.

How are you balancing
all of this?

- With hats.

I have a lot of funky hats
tonight.

- Do you?

- No, you literally gave me
the perfect opener

for that just now.
I'm wearing really crazy hats.

I don't really want
to spoil it.

- Spoil it.
- But I got some...

No, uh-uh. I'll say I am
wearing furniture somewhere.

- Furniture?
- That's... I spoiled it.

That's a spoiler.
- We love the visuals.

You have a beautiful vision.
- Yeah, thank you.

- What else can you tell us
about your performance tonight?

Just a little something?

- So I already spoiled
that I'm doing "Been Like This"

and "You Right."
- Yes!

- And it's going to be
very different in a sense

that it's not upbeat and crazy.

It's more emotional
and intense.

- Ooh, ooh, yes.

- Yes.
- I like this energy.

- Lots of emotions.
- So tell me,

how did you prepare
to become a host tonight?

Did you tap into anyone
and ask for hosting tips?

- I mean, we last-second
this entire thing,

and I feel like
that's fine with me

because I usually
like to improvise,

and I think everyone
trusted me,

so I think it's going to be
good, no preparation, but yeah.

- Oh, oh, I like that.
- No preparation.

- How about any rituals
before you get out here?

- Any rituals?

I quit my rituals.
I used to have a little bit,

a little shot,
a little something.

- A little something?

- I think I quit just because
it's too much now.

- But it's all right. Listen.
I can't wait to see you

in there.
So great to see you again.

Congratulations
on all the success.

- Thank you.

- All your fans were chanting
your name, Doja Cat.

Can't wait to see you kill it.
Meow!

- Thank you.
- Yes, absolutely.

- Thank you.
- Give it up for Doja Cat.

Now we know songs don't just
blow up if you aren't playing,

sharing and listening to them,
so we asked you

why you loved the nominees
for Song of the Year.

Here's what you had to say.

[upbeat music]

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

- Song of the Year, 24kGoldn,

featuring iann dior, "Mood."

- I think the song "Mood"
should win

Song of the Year
at the VMAs this year.

It is totally addictive.

- Your grandparents know it.
Your parents know it.

Your cousin knows it.
Your neighbors know it.

"Mood" was the song
of the summer.

- ♪ I'm a leave the door open ♪

- Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak,
Silk Sonic,

"Leave the Door Open."

- "Leave the Door Open"
by Bruno Mars

should win Song of the Year.
It's amazing, gets me hyped.

- Think about it, man.

It went all the way
back to the '70s era.

It had me feeling like I was
listening to The Temptations.

- Give it up for Bruno Mars!
Woo!

- BTS, "Dynamite."

- This song broke
so many records.

It always had stayed at the top
of the charts and always--

everyone has been playing it,
constantly playing it,

and I know I have.

- Go, go, go for the Song
of the Year. Go, "Dynamite."

- Cardi B featuring
Megan Thee Stallion, "WAP."

- Song of the Year,
Cardi and Megan, "WAP."

- I love the choreography.

I love the looks.
I love the colors.

It was very entertaining
to watch.

- "WAP" for Song of the Year!
Woo!

- Olivia Rodrigo,
"Driver's License."

- Ever since she put out
this masterpiece of an album,

she has just blown me away.

- No one has done it like she
has in the span of 8 months.

I mean, who remembers life
before "Driver's License"?

- ♪ I'm levitating ♪
- Dua Lipa, "Levitating."

- Leaping for Dua Lipa
because I hope her song,

"Levitating," wins
Song of the Year.

- Everyone, let's hear it up!
Everyone loves that song,

"Levitating"!
Come on! Come on!

- Listen!
Okay.

This is an insanely
good group of nominees.

Our preshow coverage
has just been begun.

Stay tuned, because coming up,

we have performances from Kim
Petras and Swedish House Mafia

plus even more exclusive
red-carpet arrivals, awards,

A-list interviews,
more of Jamila and,

guess what, this year's most
amazing talent on the planet,

all that and more
right after the break.

So why would you guys
turn that dial?

Keep it locked.
We got more coming up.

- ♪ It's like a ghost town ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Baby ♪

♪ Where do these [...] be at ♪

♪ When they saying they doing
all this and all that ♪

[indistinct shouting]

♪ ♪

[cheers and applause]

[indistinct chatter]

[mellow soul/pop playing]

♪ ♪

[indistinct announcer
in background]

♪ ♪

[cheers and applause]

- MTV always has
their eye on the next big thing

and every month,
they feature a new artist,

bringing you a steady stream
of the latest and greatest

on the music scene
via MTV PUSH.

Let's learn a little more about
this year's MTV PUSH artist

and then take a look at the
supersonic glow-up of another.

♪ ♪

- Billie Eilish, Lizzo,
Sizza--

some of tonight's
biggest performers

and nominees had their big
debuts right here on MTV PUSH.

And continuing
in that tradition,

12 new breakout artists
are now nominated

for PUSH performance
of the year.

- This is crazy.

- I'm just really excited
to see what happens.

- Everyone watching this,
remember the name Madison Beer.

- Let's meet some of them,
shall we?

- ♪ Why you holding on
if you can't go back? ♪

When you say something
that you dream about

and you touch your dreams
for the first time,

it makes you start
to dream bigger.

It makes you realize
how much more you can do

and how limited you were
looking at the world.

- All of this, all the lights,
all the cameras,

all these interviews,
performances.

That all came from a dream and
a belief that I had in myself.

So I been saying
before anyone else said it.

I'm gonna be the biggest artist
in the world.

Now it's just time
for the world to catch up.

♪ Coco Chanel ♪

- ♪ Shouldn't love you,
but I couldn't help it ♪

You guys should give me
a VMA because

I have a video of myself when
I'm like three years old

and I'm singing the
"Star-Spangled Banner"

and then at the end of it,
I'm like, "Thank you, MTV!"

And I blow a kiss at the camera

and that would be
a really cute Instagram post

thanking you guys
if I got a VMA.

- ♪ Without you ♪

I feel like whatever happens
is gonna happen

and all I know is that I'm
working my hardest to do it.

If it works, it works,

if it doesn't, it's not meant
to be, you know? So.

- Who will take home
the Moon Person

for best PUSH performance
of the year?

Keep it locked to find out.

- ♪ Without you ♪

- ♪ Can you kiss me more? ♪

- The Doja Cat
is out of the bag.

Meet the hosts
of the 2021 VMAs.

After winning last year's
PUSH Award,

Doja Cat is nominated for
six VMAs tonight

including artist and video
of the year.

- Performing live on Planet
Her is Doja Cat. Enjoy.

- ♪ Do it like that ♪

♪ And I'll repay it ♪

♪ Don't be scared,
I ain't afraid ♪

♪ Just like that,
come my way ♪

♪ 'Cause I like it ♪

- And the VMA goes to...

Doja Cat!

- I just wanna say
thank you to my fans.

When I stand here
right now and tell you

that I'm so thankful
to have you as supporters,

I love you, and thank you,
and thanks, Mom.

- Her musical versatility
and out-of-this-world visuals

are redefining pop music
for a whole new generation

of fans.

- I wanted to travel
outside of the planet

and kind of try to
inspire people fashion-wise

when it comes to the videos

and Choice Awards

and melodies
and combinations musically.

I want it to feel
otherworldly.

I just wanna make music
that sounds good.

If you wanna dance,
I did my job.

- Watch Doja Cat make history

tonight on the 2021 VMAs.

Meow!

[photographers shouting]

♪ ♪

[cheers and applause]

[overlapping shouting]

♪ ♪

- ♪ You say these are
the golden years ♪

♪ But I wish I could
do something...♪

- In 2021,
Olivia Rodrigo blew up.

- It's brutal out here.

- She released
her debut album,

became the youngest artist
to top the Billboard 100,

and got nominated for
one, two, three, four,

five, six VMAs.

I'd say this year
was good for her.

But what do you think?

- ♪ Well, good for you,
you look happy in hell ♪

I've been writing songs
since I was so young.

I really have so much fun
making music,

and it's just so fun that I
get to do this for my job,

and at the end of the day,
best thing I can do

is just, you know,
do my best work,

and the rest is out of
my hands.

♪ Good for you ♪

- Fans from 14 to 40
could relate to the lyrics

on Olivia's first hit single
"Driver's License,"

catapulting it quickly
to number one

on the radio charts.

- I've been working so hard
on making music

for as long as I can remember,

and it's really cool
to have people resonate

with what I have to say.

We're all so much more alike
than we are different,

you know what I mean,

and we've all sort of
felt like that.

I think honesty
and vulnerability

is always relatable,

which is really like a nice
thing to remember

as a songwriter.

You don't have to try to be
something you're not.

- Will the VMA rookie
send the stage

into overdrive tonight?

You gotta stay tuned
to find out.

- ♪ I drive alone
past your street ♪

[crowd cheering]

- Welcome back
to the 2021 VMA Red Carpet!

Now, as you already know,

the VMAs is like
a night like none other

for all of our nominees,

but one of my favorite moments
of the night

is watching a new artist
get their shine on,

right here,
on the VMA stage, okay?

Now, MTV always acknowledges

some of the most
talented newcomers

for the award for Best New
Artist, presented by Facebook.

And this year is no different.

Now, the fandoms came together
and voted which VMA rookie

they think should take home
the award this year,

and we have narrowed it down
to just two top contenders.

Now you guys at home
can vote on Twitter

using these hashtags,
right there.

And the winner
will be announced later on

during the main show.

So make sure
you keep it locked right here

to see who takes home the Moon
Person for Best New Artist.

Now, let's see what else is
going down on the red carpet.

- So much is happening
out here,

and I'm extremely excited

because look who decided
to show up to the VMAs,

Kid LAROI. Hi!
- Hi, what's up.

- Listen, you see all the
superstars walking right by.

I'm happy that you're here.

Three nominations tonight,
including Best Artist.

How does this feel for you?

- Yo, this is my first awards
show, so I'm so--

it's a lot,
you know what I'm saying?

- It's a lot?
- It's a lot.

Very confused as
to what's going on.

But they told me that
this is a great thing to do.

So, what's up?
- Yes.

No. I'm so happy
that you're here.

So how did you
prepare for tonight?

What are we going to see?

- Well, I rehearsed
a couple times,

I'm performing my song,
"Stay," with Justin.

- Nice.
- And--

- Wait, let's put some--
you know,

let's make sure
we say that right.

Justin Bieber, you know.
That's going to be great.

So did you guys talk

and discuss
what it's going to be like?

Can you tell us
any inside scoop?

- Yeah, so we've done the song,

like, quite a few times,
just various places.

And then he just brung me
the set build and was like,

"Yo, let's do mountains."
And I was like, "Sick."

And yeah. So you're
going to see mountains.

- This is exciting.
Is there anyone in particular

that you're looking forward
to seeing at all?

- I'm excited to see Olivia,
as my friend.

- Yeah. Aw.
- I'm going to say,

"what's up" to her.
- I love that.

- And Jack.
- Yeah, of course.

- Going to say "what's up"
to Jack.

Yeah, lots of people.
- Well I'm so excited for you.

How are we doing so far?
Are you having fun?

- I am.
I'm having lots of fun.

I see my friend,
Omo, over there, so--

- Where, where, where?
Oh, yes!

- They're right ahead.
Yeah, there he goes.

- We saw Lil Nas X earlier.

Look at this.
So much love.

- Yeah, let's go!

- See, I like this.
You liking it?

- Yeah, I'm liking it now
because my friends are here!

It was a little weird before.
- No, no, no, no, no.

I'm your friend.
I'm not you're friend?

- You're my friend.
Yeah, you're my friend.

- Okay, good, okay good.
Well, listen,

I know you're going to go
join your friends right now.

Thank you so much. Can't wait
to see you out there.

- Of course.
Thank you for having me.

- Have an amazing night.
Absolutely!

Now let's see
what else is happening

on the red carpet. Ladies?

- I'm here with pop heartthrob,
Shawn Mendes,

who is a nominee
and a performer tonight.

What's up, Shawn?
How are you doing?

- How you doing?
You look amazing.

- Thank you so much.
- This is so nice. Yeah.

- You're no stranger
to the VMA stage,

and you're performing
again tonight.

Any surprises in store for us?

- No surprises.

I'm just really happy to be
here and see people in person.

- It's been a long year.
How are you feeling

to see people again
and feel that energy?

- Oh my. I mean, nervous.
Like, I don't even know

what to do with
all the energy actually.

And I feel like this is
just like--it's weird.

It feels like the first
VMAs again. So it's nice.

- Absolutely.
And you have a new project

that you're performing tonight.
How does that feel,

performing your new project
for your fans?

- It feels so good.
It feels really, really good.

I'm really excited to see
my girlfriend play, actually.

I think she's going to--
- Ooh!

I think her performance
is going to be spectacular.

- Ah! Spicy.

Well, congratulations on
your nomination for "Wonder"!

What is it about "Wonder"
that you think resonates

with your fans?

- I think it's true.
I think I took a lot of time

to, like, really find something
authentic inside of me.

And I feel like
I really cared about it

and it came out very honest,
you know,

and they always connect
with my truth.

- Absolutely. I think fans
can tell the difference

when it's authentic.

Well, thank you so much, Shawn.

We're so excited
to see you perform.

- Thank you.

- Thank you, guys,
for saying hi!

Enjoy the show, and let's check
out what else is happening.

- Now I don't know.
Okay, no one told me this.

But I just have a feeling

that it's going
to be a huge night

for this next artist.

It's Olivia Rodrigo!

What is going on?
- [chuckles shyly]

- Wow.

[cheering]

Take that moment in!
Take the moment in, okay?

Now, Olivia, this is
your very first MTV VMA.

What is it like
being here tonight?

- Oh, my gosh.
It's so exciting,

The energy is incredible,

and I'm just so stoked
to be here, really grateful.

- I'm stoked
for you to be here.

Now, not only
are you here attending

and all those
other great things,

but you will be
gracing the stage.

What can you tell us
about your performance tonight?

- Ooh, it's going
to be super fun.

There's going to be
dancing and sparkles

and there might even be
a little flying,

which is going to be
really exciting.

- Oh, okay.
I have to wait and see.

I won't even ask you
any more questions, okay?

But you are nominated
for so many awards tonight.

And one of them--
one of those categories

that you're nominated for is

the PUSH Performance
of the Year.

Now, we all know that
MTV PUSH, you know,

they highlight emerging
artists that are on the rise.

Those artist who are next up
to become global icons, okay?

What has your life
been like since then?

- Oh, my gosh. I mean, this
year has been so incredible.

I put out my first song
this January,

and that's just been this
crazy, magical roller coaster.

And I also graduated
high school.

So it's just be all around
a great year.

- Wow. And it sounds like
things are exciting for you.

So things are about to get

a little bit more exciting
for you, okay?

Now, I have to just say this,
because you just won.

Are you ready? Okay, I don't
want to make it a big deal.

But you just won PUSH
Performance of the Year,

Olivia.
- Oh!

Oh, my gosh.
It's so heavy.

I literally have no upper
body strength. Thank you.

- Listen.
- Oh, my gosh. It's beautiful.

- Listen, I was back there
doing push-ups

just so I can practice
holding it for you.

So I want you to do me a favor,
Olivia, if you will.

Look right there
into the camera, okay?

You see your millions of fans?

What would you like to say to
them as you accept this award?

- Oh, my gosh.
Huge thank you.

I couldn't be more grateful,

and all of this
is because of you guys.

So thanks a million.
I appreciate it.

- Congratulations, again.

And enjoy the rest
of your night.

I'm so excited for you!
- Thank you. You too!

- Go kill it! Okay.

Now I have to see
what else is happening.

Listen, more from the 2021 VMA
Red Carpet coming up.

Nessa also catches up
with pop rocker icon,

Avril Lavigne,
and so, so much more!

Trust me,
you do not want to miss it.

But first,
let's just take a look

at one of the night's
biggest nominees.

- ♪ Let it roll ♪

- Join me in welcoming, BTS!

♪ ♪

- ♪ Get it, let it roll ♪

- After dropping their
latest album last year,

K-pop phenomenon BTS

is still riding
a wave of success

across the entire globe.

- Hi, MTV and everyone
watching out there.

Hello! We are...
all: BTS!

- Their song, "Butter"
is nominated for six VMAs,

and it's still on the charts
after its release last May.

- ♪ Smooth like butter ♪

♪ Like a criminal undercover ♪

- Pretty smooth.

- The album's main concept
is shedding a hopeful light

during this new global climate

and reminding listeners
that our life goes on.

- And the winner
for Best K-pop is...

BTS!

- Best K-pop
for 2 years running.

[all cheer]
- We love you, ARMY,

and we'll make sure
to give back this love

with even greater music
and performances.

- ♪ Shinin' through the city
with a little funk and soul ♪

♪ So I'ma light it up
like dynamite, whoa-oh ♪

- How many Moon People
will they take home tonight?

Watch and find out.

- ♪ Whoa-oh ♪

[cheers and applause]

[energetic music]

♪ ♪

[crowd cheering]

[rock/pop music]

♪ ♪

[indistinct chatter]

[photographers shouting]

- Now, you could go
to any old red carpet

and find looks, but you come
to the VMA red carpet

for the looks, period.

Let's check out some of
the most iconic fashion

from the last three decades
of the VMAs.

- ♪ Oh, baby ♪

- It wouldn't be the VMAs
without the jaw-dropping,

sometimes shocking,
and always unforgettable

fashion on the carpet.

Do you remember your favorite
VMA fashion moment?

Here's some of ours.

♪ ♪

- And the VMA
for video of the year

goes to...Lady Gag!

- I never thought
I'd be asking Cher

to hold my purse.

- I thought
the Mayor of New York

had outlaws outfits
like this.

This is amazing!

- Well,
tonight I just thought

that I'd do something
that just say

"Look at her."

- Wow, that's Katy Perry,
ladies and gentlemen.

Okay, how we doing?
Good to see you.

What are you wearing right now?

- We're wearing Versace,
custom Versace, of course.

- This is a Vera Wang ensemble,

and my publicist
was a little nervous, so...

I am wearing things
under this garment.

♪ ♪

- Hey, Miley, how's it going?

- You look great.
- Hold that smile

right here, Miley!

- What about what
you're wearing.

Describe this.
What is this?

Who inspired it?
- Jean-Paul Gaultier.

- Give it for Lady Gaga,
you guys!

- ♪ Come a little closer
'cause you looking thirsty ♪

♪ I'ma make it better,
sip it like a Slurpee ♪

- ♪ Snow cone chilly,
get it free like Willy ♪

♪ In the jeans like Billie ♪

♪ You be poppin'
like a wheelie ♪

- Okay. You caught me
having a little fun.

Welcome back to the
2021 VMA Pre-Show.

I'm your girl, Jamila Mustafa,

and I am coming to you live
from the Barclays Center

right here in Brooklyn,
New York.

Now, I'm here on the red carpet
right now with singer,

songwriter and
VMA first-timer, Lil Huddy!

- Yes, ma'am.
- What's going on, Lil Huddy?

- Not too much, man.
This is my first time here.

I'm really excited.
- Oh, my goodness!

Now, when you say excited,
right,

because that's just,
"I'm excited."

What does that
really mean to you?

- These are so many artists
I've looked up to for 3,

4, 5 years, and being able
to be here for the first time

and experience it live
is just amazing.

- Oh, my goodness,
and you look fabulous.

- Thank you.

- I have to say,
a lot of artists

that are performing tonight,
they have a stage name,

but that's not
their birth name,

and I don't know, okay?
I'm not your sister,

but I'm guessing
that your parents

didn't put "Lil Huddy"
on the birth certificate.

- No, ma'am, no, they didn't.

- Okay, so listen,
I want to have some fun.

Is it okay if I get some fans

and we try to guess
who the real Lil Huddy is?

- Yeah, I'm okay
with that, yeah.

- Ah! Okay, he's game!
- Let's do it,

- Let's do it!
Okay, here we go, okay?

So I have you guys.
I've enlisted some fans,

and they're going to see
if they can reveal this.

Now, this cue card right here,
that's all scrambled up.

It actually says
your real name,

and whoever can unscramble it
in 10 seconds wins.

- Oh, yeah.
- Okay, now what you win is,

you are crowned royalty
right here on the red carpet.

It doesn't get better
than that.

- No, it doesn't.
- Are you ready to do it?

- I'm ready.
- Yes. Let's go!

- All right.

- C. It starts with a...
His last name starts with an H.

- Five! Four! Three!
- Okay. Chase Hudson!

- Two!

- Oh!
- That's the one.

- Good answer, that's it.
- There you go!

- Wow!
- Good job.

- That is correct.
Come on, that's correct.

The name is Chase Hudson,
AKA Lil Huddy.

- Good job.

- Thank you.
- Good to meet you.

- And I just absolutely
love it,

so many exciting things
from you this year,

and I know that you actually
recently teamed up

with Burger King
as a part of their

Keep It Real Meals campaign.
- I did.

- Also, Lil Huddy has
some new music on the way.

- Oh, yeah, so I'm
doing a challenge

with Burger King on TikTok.

I've also been working
with them for a while now.

I went, me and my friends,
and we all tried

every single item on the menu,

made sure we had
the perfect menu option for me.

We narrowed it down. We had
a whiteboard and everything,

and yeah, I've been
working on this album

for about a year and a half,
and it's been a real process.

It's been a challenge for me.

I've never done something
like this before,

and I'm really excited
for the world to hear it, man.

- Well, you're not
the only one.

I'm really excited
for this project

to come out.
Thank you for your time.

Congratulations tonight.
- Thank you so much.

- And I know that you're just
going to kill it, okay?

You guys, let's go check in

to see what my other
co-hosts are doing.

I know they're not having
as much fun as us.

- I'm thrilled about
this person joining me

on the red carpet, Jack Harlow.
How are you?

- Tinashe, how are you?

- I'm amazing,
happy to be here.

- Good to see you.
Good to see you.

- You look good
in the leather.

- You look good.
- I got the leather on

as well.
- Yeah, I love your hair.

- Thank you. You're returning
to the VMAs this year

after a stellar
pre-show performance last year.

How does it feel
to be back tonight?

- It's good.

I was a little worried
last year.

I didn't want all my success
to take place on the Internet.

Now we're here in real life.
It's a good feeling.

- Absolutely.
We hear you and Lil Nas X

have something
pretty huge planned

for tonight's performance.
What can you tell us about it?

- You know him.
He's a moment maker.

I'm just happy to be with him.
He's a hell of a guy.

He's over there
looking incredible.

- Yeah, I see him
over there, stunning.

- Yeah, I'm excited.

The people are in
for something.

- Okay, great.
Are there going to be any

elements from the music video
in your performance tonight?

- Little sprinkles.

- Okay, okay,
keeping it a secret.

We love that.
What would middle school Jack

have to say about you
being here at the VMAs tonight?

- He'd be like, "Finally."
- Finally.

- "I told you."
- Exactly.

- He knew what it was.

- It's happy to be here,
happy to be here.

- Very.

- Well, thank you so much
for chatting with me.

Enjoy your night.
- Thanks for having me.

- Hopefully you don't sweat
too much in this leather!

- I'm glad it was you.

People don't know, this
the first time we really met.

- It is the first time
we've met.

- Yeah. Thank you.

- Well, we're excited
to be here at the VMAs.

- And I'm standing here
with another star.

Ozuna, so great
to see you again!

- Yeah, yeah, second time
to see you.

- Yes!
Welcome back to the VMAs.

How you feeling right now?

- Thank you, thank you.
I'm so happy, so, so, so happy.

I got something
special tonight.

- Tell me.
You can't just go in there

without saying something.
Come on, we're friends.

- Come on, it's secret,

but I got something
special to my people.

It's my premiere
of my next single, "La Funka,"

from the next album
is [indistinct].

- This is going to be amazing.
What can you tell us?

What's going to happen
on stage, a little?

- I take every,
every stage to "La Funka,"

and thanks the VMAs
to take time for me,

take this moment and give me
my moment to me to premiere,

to do something special
and something new.

- Yeah.
Well, who are you hoping

to run into tonight,
anyone special?

- Ooh, so special,
and I'm dancing.

I got some flavor,
good vibes to my people,

to Latin people and
American people see me in VMA.

- That's going to be amazing.
Did you see anyone

on the red carpet
that you were happy to see yet?

- I see Lil Nas.
I see Paris Hilton.

Everybody look beautiful.

- I know, right?
Isn't this a moment?

- Yeah.

- What makes
the VMAs different

than any other award show?

- He give the opportunity
to the talents

and present new single new
something and got good vibe,

got good family vibe.
Everybody got take photo.

And got the pandemic
the last time,

so come this year to open

and see your people
is beautiful.

- Isn't it nice to see
all the humans around here?

- Yes, I'm taking my photo.
- I know! Did you see us?

We took so many pictures
right now.

Your fans love you.
- I know.

- Are you checking
your DMs after this?

- I'm check every,
every social media.

Everybody say,
"Yo, I see you on the VMAs!"

- Well, Ozuna,
thank you so much.

I know you got to run
and get ready for the show.

- Thank you.

- We can't wait to see
what you're going to do.

Welcome back to the VMAs.

- Thank you. Thank you
for your time, VMAs.

- Of course. Now, there's
so much more VMA Pre-Show left,

including performances by Kim
Petras and Swedish House Mafia,

plus, you'll have to wait
to see who wins

one of our biggest awards
tonight--

Artist of the Year.

Let's take a look at what
2021 had in store

for this year's nominees
and why you, the fans,

couldn't get enough of them.

♪ ♪

Ariana Grande.

- She's the moment,
she is the voice.

She is a god.

God is a woman, and her name
is Ariana Grande.

- Never misses a beat,
always hard-working.

She definitely deserves
this one.

- Justin Bieber.

- Even over a decade
in his career,

he's pulling numbers
and breaking records as it is,

and I just think he should
be recognized for that.

- He's an incredible artist.
He has incredible energy.

And overall, he's just amazing,

so...Justin!

- Olivia Rodrigo.

- I'm so excited
that my favorite artist

Olivia Rodrigo is nominated
for Artist of the Year.

- Olivia is a musical
powerhouse,

and every single day,
she's proving

that she's here to stay.

- Taylor Swift.

- I would love for
Taylor Swift

to win Artist of the Year
at the VMAs.

- It was pure magical.

I can't even find words
to describe

how amazing this video is.

- Definitely deserves to be
the Artist of the Year

because nobody does it
like Taylor Swift.

- Doja Cat.

- Doja Cat, I'm such a big
fan of hers.

She is so iconic.
She's literally the Moonman.

- "Planet Earth's"
a terrific album, I love it.

- She is a strong woman
who's not afraid to take risks

with her music.

- Megan The Stallion.

- I think Artist of the Year
should go to

Megan The Stallion

because her music and her
music video this year

has betrayed body positivity

and women empowerment
for women all around the world.

So she absolutely
deserves this one--period.

- ♪ We gotta come
right back...♪

♪ ♪

[overlapping chatter]

[cheers and applause]

♪ ♪

- Two of the biggest names
in music, Ariana Grande

and Lil Nas X are nominated

for a combined eight awards
tonight.

Let's just take a look at their
journeys to the VMA.

[upbeat music]

- The biggest names in the
business are here tonight

including one of the new faces
of pop, Ariana Grande.

♪ ♪

How excited are you about this?
- I'm very excited.

I'm very nervous, too,
but I'm very excited.

What's up, Brooklyn!

♪ All I'm tryna say
is you're my everything, baby ♪

♪ ♪

Whoo!

♪ Oh, baby ♪

♪ The part when I break free ♪

♪ 'Cause I can't resist it
no more ♪

- Ariana Grande!

- This is incredible.

I didn't think I was gonna win
one of these.

I want to thank my fans,
who I love so, so much.

I love them more than anything.

And I want to thank MTV
for supporting me and my music.

Thank you so, so, so, so much.
Whoo!

- Charlamagne here
with Ariana Grande.

Tonight, you're nominated
for five VMAs,

including Best Female Video,
Best Pop Video,

and Best Collaboration.
How does it feel?

- I'm very excited. I'm very
honored to be nominated.

It's awesome.

♪ Talking way too much ♪

♪ Say I should give you up ♪

♪ Can't hear them, no ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Been here all night ♪

- And the VMA goes to Ariana
Grande, "No Tears Left To Cry."

- Thank you guys so much.

I'm so grateful, first of all,
to my fans.

I love you guys so much.

♪ [vocalizing] ♪

♪ My one ♪

♪ When all said and done ♪

♪ You'll believe God
is a woman ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, baby ♪

♪ You'll believe God
is a woman ♪

[cheers and applause]

- ♪ Call me when you want ♪

- Call him by his name...
- Lil Nas X!

- ♪ Call me when you want,
call me when you need ♪

♪ Call me out by your name,
I'll be on the way ♪

- Over the last few years,

Lil Nas X has made his mark
on the VMAs.

- With his VMA debut,

performing his brand-new
single, "Panini."

- ♪ Hey, Panini,
don't you be a meanie ♪

- He's performed...

- ♪ Why you tryna
keep me teeny? ♪

- And the VMA goes
to Lil Nas X!

[indistinct shouting]

- He's won...

- This is my first award ever!

And I--I got a little speech,
so you know?

- And tonight,
with six nominations,

let's see if Lil Nas X
can do it again.

♪ ♪

[indistinct chatter]

[crowd cheering]

- ♪ And we cuddle ♪

♪ Sure, I do love it ♪

♪ But I need your lips
on mine ♪

♪ Can you kiss me more? ♪

♪ We're so young ♪

♪ Boy, we ain't got nothing
to lose, uh-oh ♪

- Welcome back to
the VMA Red Carpet Pre-Show.

Now I am joined by...

Oh, I don't even want
to tell you.

I am joined by the girl
from Rio herself, Ms. Anitta.

- Hi. How are you?

- It is so great
to see you here.

- Thanks.
Thank you so much.

- On a scale of one to 10,
how excited are you?

- Yeah, I'm so happy.
It's my first time here.

- What was that like?
It is your first time.

- It's crazy.
It's the first time

there's a Brazilian person
here at all,

so I'm actually so happy.
I feel so honored.

- Listen, you should
be proud of yourself.

You are representing yourself
and your culture.

And I know about your fandom,
but tell us a little bit

about the energy from your fans
watching back home.

- Well, they are very intense.

I would say that.
They are crazy.

We've been, like,
talking before.

You see that they go intense.

They answer every one.
They send questions.

They are crazy, in a good way.

- They support you, and
that's why you're here tonight.

- For sure.
- Now, listen,

you are representing Brazil
to the fullest,

and you're performing
later on tonight in the show.

I cannot wait for that.

But you even teamed up
with Burger King

as a part of their
Keep It Real Meals campaign,

but what can you tease, okay?

And tell us a little bit
about tonight's performance.

- It's going to be
very royalty.

I'm going to have my
two mamas, the two personas--

my real one, which is Larissa,
the one I'm, like, in my house,

you know, and the Anitta one.

It's a diva, singer,

all this fancy,
glamorous style.

So people are going to see
Anitta and the real me.

Keep it real.
- And speaking of real you--

'cause you look
all real tonight--

I wanted to ask you
about that, okay?

Because when you hit the stage,
that's right, she's Anitta,

but when you're at home
chilling, you are Larissa.

So I wanted to know, who are we
really going to get tonight,

and are we going to be able
to tell the difference?

- I think you guys are going
to get a little bit of both.

In the beginning,
a little bit of Larissa

for you guys to just say hi,
very quick,

and then we go
full diva moment.

- Ooh, well, listen,
we live for alter ego tonight.

- I mean, yes.

And then we can just keep going
until the end of the night,

party, after-party.
- Oh!

- Getting drunk, having fun.
That's it.

- Okay! Listen, show us
how you do it in Brazil.

Best of luck of you tonight.
Enjoy this moment.

- Thank you.
- And congratulation, Anitta.

- Thank you.
- Ooh, ooh, I mean Larissa.

Well, let's see who else
is on the red carpet.

- Wow. Wow.
Can we just take a moment?

Have mercy! What is happening,
Chloe and Halle?

How are you?
- We are so great.

And so happy to be here
together and kicking ass,

and it's going to be
a great night.

- Now, Chloe,
this is going to be,

you know,
your solo main stage debut.

Halle, what are you going
to be doing in the meantime,

when she's up on that stage?

- I'm going to be
screaming my head off, okay?

I'm so excited.
This has just been

such a wonderful time,
watching her rehearse.

Nobody is ready
for this performance,

is all I have to say.
- I love you.

- Wait a minute.
You can't just say that

and not give us some insight.
Tell us something!

The visuals--
are we going to see some

of what we saw in the "Have
Mercy" video on that stage?

- Yes, definitely.
I'm bringing the music video

to life,
and I'm so happy to perform,

and I'm going to feel
comfortable on that stage

because my beautiful sister
is going to be presenting me.

So I'm more than excited
and grateful.

I've just been
over the moon excited

and happy with the response
to "Have Mercy."

I'm so grateful,
and we get to be here together,

and it's going to be
really special.

- Is it going to be
kind of weird

not to see her right
next to you on that stage?

- It is, but I will, because
I'm going to look right up,

and she's going to be right
there in her beautiful gown,

and I'm going to be like,
"Okay. I feel better.

I can do this
because she's right there."

- You've got this. It's all
under control right now.

- Yes, yes.
- Well, how do you both

prepare for a night like this?

Do you give each other
pep talks?

How does this work?

- Pray. Yeah.
- Pray.

It's really prayer,
and then, yeah, that's it.

- Lots of notes.
I like--I...

[chanting]
- Listen.

You hear that?

"Chloe and Halle"
is the chant right now.

Look at your fans.
Look at this.

What a moment.
- I'm gonna cry!

- Oh, my gosh.
This is--

- I'm going to cry right now.
- I can't cry my makeup off.

- Well, we can't cry.

The makeup is too gorgeous
right now.

But, you know what?
To see you on this journey,

and I've seen you
for years now,

I am so proud
of the both of you,

and to see the support system
right now.

- That's my best friend,
right here.

- Well, tell me the
inspiration behind the outfits.

I can't let you guys run off
without telling me something.

- Well, I was definitely
inspired by, like, the Medusa,

witchy vibe for the video,
and I'm wearing Marni,

and it's so fun
and comfortable.

And, sis, what are you
wearing, darling?

- Yes, I am wearing Monot,
and it is just comfortable,

and that's all I needed.

- And, yes, very comfortable,
and it's just like,

"Wow. It's all well
put together."

Well, what's your must-have
when you hit the red carpet?

- Each other.
- Each other.

- And...a piece of gum
so our breath doesn't stink.

- Yeah, and some perfume
so I'm not smelling up--

- I forgot the gum, so I hope
it's all right over here.

- I got the gum for you guys.
Don't even worry.

Well, thank you
to the both of you.

- Thank you.
- You look amazing.

Best of luck on that stage.

- Thank you.
- Can't wait to see you.

Can't wait to hear you scream
for your sister.

It's going to be amazing.

There's still so much
more pre-show to come.

What else is happening
on the red carpet?

- Our next performer is here
to sing "Future is Now"

from her upcoming album.

But before Kim Petras performs,

let's see how
this trailblazing icon

got ready for her
VMA show debut.

[exciting music]

- What's up, MTV?
I'm Kim Petras.

I'm at rehearsals for the VMAs.

So the inspiration for
this performance came from...

It happened after
Lollapalooza in Chicago.

I always feel like
going on stage

and performing really
frees my brain up.

And I woke up the next
morning, and I was like,

"I have the idea."

And a little tease would be

that it's sticky,
and it's pure pop.

It's bubblegum pop,
you could say.

I came up with this idea
with my amazing team.

We made it happen, and it was
amazing today to see it,

like, my kind of vision of it,
I guess, for the first time,

and it's--
I'm really proud of it.

Of course, I can't do the VMAs
without a little change.

I can't just give you one look,

so stay tuned for the end
of the performance,

but I am so happy with it.

I just tried it on
for the first time,

and it hits, slaps.
All right, MTV.

That's all I can show you,
or I'll give it all away.

♪ ♪

Love you. Mw-ah.

- And now, this bubblegum pop
princess is ready to rock out.

Give it up for Kim Petras!

- It's so good
to see you guys.

♪ ♪

♪ Ain't nobody gonna stop me ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't you let the music
stop now ♪

♪ You're more
than just anybody ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't give up,
the future starts now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Worry 'bout it
in the mornin' ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Take it to another level ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You're more
than just anybody ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't give up,
the future starts now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ One day,
everyone will notice ♪

♪ The world is yours,
and you should know it ♪

♪ ♪

♪ So don't let love
get out of focus ♪

♪ Don't give up,
the future starts now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I know you can
take the pressure ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Turn it
into something better ♪

♪ ♪

♪ So take the pain
and make it pleasure ♪

♪ Yeah, don't give up,
the future starts now ♪

♪ Le futur ♪

♪ C'est maintenant ♪

♪ Un, deux, trois, quatre ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Ain't nobody gonna stop me ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't you let
the music stop now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You're more
than just anybody ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't give up,
the future starts now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Worry 'bout it
in the mornin' ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Take it to another level ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You're more
than just anybody ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't give up,
the future starts now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Lose control, take control,
anything you want tonight ♪

♪ On a roll, good to go,
let the moment blow your mind ♪

♪ Take your time,
take your time ♪

♪ Baby, it don't matter ♪

♪ Let it ride, let it ride ♪

♪ Take it to the afters ♪

♪ Let your heart decide ♪

♪ Let it
change your life tonight ♪

♪ Yeah, you're almost there ♪

♪ You can almost
touch the light ♪

♪ If you're lost, and you find
that you need somebody ♪

♪ In the dark, baby, don't you
know the future starts now ♪

♪ Le futur ♪

♪ C'est maintenant ♪

♪ Un, deux, trois, quatre ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Ain't nobody gonna stop me ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't you let
the music stop now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You're more
than just anybody ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't give up,
the future starts now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Worry 'bout it
in the mornin' ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Take it to another level ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, you're more
than just anybody ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Don't give up,
the future starts now ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Le futur ♪

♪ C'est maintenant ♪

♪ Un, deux, trois, quatre ♪

♪ [vocalizing] ♪

♪ ♪

[gulping]

Ah!

[cheers and applause]

[overlapping chatter]

[funky music]

♪ ♪

- Olivia, [indistinct]

[overlapping chatter]

- ♪ Try not to abuse
your power ♪

- ♪ Calling my phone
like I'm locked up, nonstop ♪

♪ From the plane
to the [...] helicopter, yeah ♪

- ♪ Champagne and drinkin'
with your friends ♪

♪ You live in the dark, boy,
I cannot pretend ♪

- ♪ The more that you say,
the less I know ♪

♪ Wherever you stray,
I follow ♪

- ♪ Yup, in my white tee,
yeah ♪

♪ Call up Hype Williams
for the hype, please ♪

- ♪ Two, four, five hundred
stacks for the hood ♪

♪ Call me lumberjack 'cause
I wish a [...] would ♪

- ♪ Brown skin girl ♪

♪ Your skin just like pearls ♪

- ♪ I'm not your friend
or anything, damn ♪

- ♪ Another splinter
under the skin ♪

- ♪ Feels so holy,
holy, holy, holy, holy ♪

- ♪ My biggest enemy is me,
pop a 911 ♪

- ♪ Solar ♪

♪ Power ♪

- ♪ Time already,
time already ♪

♪ Time already,
it's time already ♪

- ♪ Do my bad habits lead to
wide eyes stare into space ♪

- ♪ This is biological stasis ♪

♪ My mood's shifting
too many places ♪

- ♪ Romantic talkin'?
You don't even have to try ♪

♪ You cute enough to [...]
with me tonight ♪

- ♪ That's my best friend,
she a real bad [...] ♪

♪ Drive her own car,
she don't need no Lyft ♪

- ♪ Begging for you
to take my hand ♪

♪ Wreck my plans,
that's my man ♪

- ♪ This ain't build a B ♪

♪ You don't get to pick
and choose ♪

- ♪ Saved me over and over
for so long ♪

- ♪ Girl, I want you like you
want me too ♪

♪ I feel that energy ♪

- ♪ Please, Tangerine,
sugar, honey, sweet ♪

♪ Got what I need, Tangerine ♪

- ♪ Call me when you want,
call me when you need ♪

♪ Call me in the morning,
I'll be on the way ♪

- ♪ You throw your head back
and you spit in the wind ♪

- ♪ Don't need to side [...]
no ♪

♪ Got the neighbors yelling
"Earthquake!" ♪

- ♪ High like the moon,
rock with me, baby ♪

- ♪ My bad habits lead to late
nights endin' alone ♪

- ♪ Another season
of loneliness ♪

- ♪ Maybe we can find a-- ♪

- ♪ Don't know why you hide ♪

♪ From the one
and close your eyes ♪

- ♪ So if you tryna lay
in these arms ♪

- ♪ Know that I got
that heat ♪

♪ Let me show you
'cause talk is cheap ♪

♪ ♪

- ♪ Hey, yuh, I got one ♪

♪ My lawyer got one and
that there is the only two ♪

- ♪ All we ever want
is auto all the time ♪

- ♪ And I say oh ♪

♪ There's nothin'
like your touch ♪

- ♪ Prisoner, prisoner ♪

♪ Locked up, can't get
you off my mind ♪

♪ Off my mind ♪

- ♪ Got the magic touch ♪

♪ You can call me Midas ♪

♪ This is what it's like
when you're on my list ♪

♪ Shoot, don't miss ♪

♪ Loving how it feels
when we're just vibing ♪

♪ Don't fight it ♪

♪ Canceled all my plans,
all the side chicks ♪

- So much happening right now.
Welcome back,

and I'm fangirling
a little bit right now

because I'm joined
by the iconic pop star,

rocker, trendsetter,

VMA vet, Avril Lavigne.
Hi, Avril!

- Hi. How are you?

- Great.
Welcome back to the VMAs.

- Thank you!
It's great to be here!

- I know.

Now I know you've had
memorable moments at the VMAs.

Do you have an all-time
favorite memory?

- Well, the VMAs hold a very
special place in my heart

because this is where I won
my very first award ever,

a Moonman, for Best New Artist,
so I love to be at the VMAs.

- Do you have any advice
for an upcoming artist

right now
after sharing that story?

- My advice is always
just be true to yourself

and follow your heart

and have as much fun
as possible...

- That's right.
-... and just,

yeah, be true to yourself.
Do your thing.

- And one of the best parts
of the VMAs is the fans!

- Absolutely.
[cheering]

- Now how's everybody
feeling tonight?

- Everyone is
so excited tonight!

- I know, but they're outside,
and I feel like the best part

of everything is happening
on the inside.

- No way! No way!

- So I think we should
fix this if that's okay.

- Do you guys have tickets
to the shows, to the VMAs? No?

- Oh, no, no, no, no.

- Can we do something
about that?

- I think we can.

Actually, thanks to GEICO
and MTV, it's going to happen.

Everybody's getting tickets!
- Oh, my God!

- You're going to be
inside the 2021 VMAs!

- Aw, that's so amazing! Yeah!

- I love this!

Avril, isn't this beautiful...
- This is awesome!

-... that joy,
that excitement?

- Yeah.
- It's amazing.

Well, listen, Avril.
Have an amazing time inside.

- Thank you.
- You all are so amazing!

Have fun, okay?

- Have fun at the show!
- Now let's go ahead and check

out what's happening
on the red carpet.

- Y'all so silly.
- Beautiful.

- You're so silly.
Mm, come on.

I am standing right here
with three pop music icons.

I'm talking about Lance Bass,
AJ McLean, and Nick Lachey.

- Thank you! What up?
- Oh, my goodness.

Now I can't.
[crowd cheering]

- Thank you.

- Oh, yeah!
- We paid him to do that!

- Oh, yeah!
- That's my family over there!

- There we go.
Now I can't lie, gentlemen.

This is every '90s girl's dream
right here, okay?

And I just have to say
that you are representing

three of the greatest
boy bands of all time.

- Wow. Thank you. Thank you.
- Thank you.

- You got to put respect
on the name, okay?

Now I know what it means

for fans to see you guys here,
to get the love.

You heard them
chanting the songs,

but I got to ask you guys
as the OGs, the icons,

what is it like gracing
the red carpet once again?

- It's awesome.

This is a part of history
for all three groups.

I mean, we've been doing this
for almost 30 years now,

and to still be able
to come here,

MTV VMAs

and get that kind of love
and respect is phenomenal.

- They've actually asked us
to be the chaperones tonight.

- Yeah, so...

- We're now officially
that old.

- To enforce the 6-foot rule.
- Yeah, yeah.

- Back, back, back, back,
back, back, back.

- What are you doing?

- Really quick, okay,
because it's rare

that we get a chance
to talk to living icons

that are still as relevant
as you guys,

what is your favorite
VMA moment really quick?

- Oh, boy.
- Oh, my gosh.

- Years ago, we were
presenting an award,

and one of the guys
from Rage climbed a set

and literally shut down
the awards show live.

It was... yeah.
- I love it.

You guys are doing
some amazing things still.

Nick, I just got
to talk about it

because y'all have
a very special event

coming up early next year,

and it's called
Total Relief Live.

Tell us a little bit
about that.

- Yeah, TRL,
Total Relief Live.

Putting together
a fundraising concert

obviously along with MTV,
TRL-era acts coming together

for a fundraising night
benefiting Feeding America,

it's going to happen in January
in Los Angeles in 2022,

so excited to put that on,

and obviously if you're going
to call something TRL,

you got to go
to the marquee names of TRL.

- Right here.

- So my boys are here
representing tonight.

And we're excited to put
this together and excited

to bring it to the world.
- I love it.

Well, we're all supporting,
and I just got to say, Nick,

AJ, Lance,
thank you for your time.

Enjoy tonight.
- Thank you.

- Thank you.
- Thanks for having us.

- Nessa, what's going on
on the red carpet?

Because you know
what's happening over here.

- Well, I'm now joined
by the incredible global

pop star Troye Sivan.
Thank you for being here.

- Thank you for having me.
Global pop star, that's nice.

- Oh, you like that?
- Yeah, that was very nice.

- Now let's go back
a little bit.

I saw you on the red carpet
in 2016...

- Crazy.
- So I know the VMAs holds

a special place in your heart.
- Very, very special.

I remember that day so clearly,

and, yeah,
it was a highlight for me.

I really... I loved it.
It was great.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- How does it feel
to be back tonight?

- I'm so stoked.
- Yeah?

- I'm so stoked.

I've already seen
some crazy [bleep],

and I am, yeah, looking forward

to the rest of the night.
I think it's going to be good.

- Oh, yeah.
It's going to be beautiful.

Now you've already been
getting ready for the VMAs

before you even got here.
- Yeah.

- You had yours
special performance

pushed at a VMAs concert,
which was amazing.

- Yeah.

- Thanks to EXTRA Gum
for making that happen.

So tell me, how was it to be
reunited with your fans again?

- Well, that was the thing.
It was my first time

performing live
in over 2 years,

and, yeah, I don't know.
I just was... I got nervous.

It was like my first show
all over again,

but it was amazing.
It was a really good time.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- Well, guess what?
We are going to see

some of that performance
later on during that show.

That's okay, right?
- Yeah, of course.

- That's going
to be coming up.

I really appreciate
you stopping by, Troye.

- Thanks so much for having me.

- We'll see you in a little
bit.

I love the outfit.
- Thank you. Thank you.

- I wish I could
pull it together,

but here I am trying my best.

- No, you look amazing.
What are you talking about?

- I'm trying. Hey, listen.
- You look great.

- I'm just trying to be
on your level, right?

- No, you're doing it.
You're doing it.

- Thank you.
Thank you so much.

Now let's see what else
is happening on the red carpet

right now.

- Yes, I just have
to tell you guys how excited

we are about tonight.
We have so much coming up.

There is so much in store,
and I just have to say

that there are so many awards
to be won tonight.

You guys can hear them.
They're getting excited.

We have Polo G
right there behind us,

and I just have to tell you
that tonight is on fire,

but I have to switch to
a more inclusive topic, okay?

We got to talk about something
that's very, very important

because the artists
nominated tonight

for Video for Good category,

they really took their messages
beyond the music,

and they wowed us
with their powerful

and inspirational videos
this year.

Now these artists addressed
topics like oppression,

addiction, division,
trauma and abuse,

and they even showed us
that no topic is taboo.

Plus we're all
in this together.

Now one topic that is
very important to us all

is mental health because
mental health is health,

so I want you guys
to take care of yourself

and the people around you.

If you're struggling,
just know there's help.

Go to mentalhealthishealth.us
to learn more.

Now let's see what else
is going on on the red carpet.

- Foo Fighters, BLACKPINK, BTS,

after the break,
25 million of you guys

voted for our
Group of the Year award.

After the break,
we'll be announcing the winner,

but first, the Moonperson
has repped MTV

since its inception in 1981

because we've always been
inspired by the exploration

of new worlds and the idea
that anything is possible,

so what better way
to celebrate tonight

than with some
real-life moon people?

Take a look.

- Hello.
I'm NASA astronaut

Megan McArthur
of the Expedition 65 crew

aboard the International
Space Station

here with my crewmate,
Shane Kimbrough.

- We are orbiting the Earth
260 miles above all of you,

and like everyone
tonight at the VMAs,

we have an excellent view
of the stars,

just different kinds of stars.

- Part of our work here is to
advance science and technology

so we can launch
our Artemis missions,

which will include
sending the first woman

and first person of color
to the Moon.

- We want to congratulate MTV
on its 40th anniversary

and for recognizing
that the sky is not the limit.

From your launch in 1981
with Apollo mission footage

to today
with the Moon Person award

and its message of diversity.

- We at NASA share
the vision of inclusion

to reach the Moon and beyond.

Have a great night.

[overlapping chatter]

[upbeat music]

♪ ♪

- There's so much
awesome talent

that walked down the carpet
tonight.

I mean, I'm standing next
to one right now, MGK,

and while we know it's always
been an honor to be nominated

winning a VMA,
it's also a whole mood

when someone walks away
with a Moon Person.

Now, here are some
past winners

that really had their own
moment with their Moon Person.

[upbeat music]

Winning a Video Music Award
can get pretty emotional

for not only the winner,

but for all of us watching
at home.

Here are some of the artists
who had us in our feels.

- I want to share this award
with everybody.

Just because we're separated
right now

and culture may feel less alive
in some ways,

I know a renaissance is coming.
This is what I believe.

I want nothing more than
to be your artist in 2020.

- And the winner, Miley Cyrus!

- My name is Jesse and I am
accepting this award

on behalf of the 1.6 million
runaways and homeless youth

in the United States.

I know this because
I'm one of these people.

- Recently, I was driving my
daughter to school

and she said to me out
of the blue,

"Mama,
I'm the ugliest girl I know."

I said, you know,

"I really want to know why you
feel this way about yourself."

And she said,
"Well, I look like a boy."

And I said, "Well, what do you
think I look like?"

I said to her, I said, "Do you
see me growing my hair?"

She said, "No, Mama."

I said, "Do you see me
changing the way

I present myself to the world?"
"No, Mama."

"Do you see me selling out
arenas all over the world?"

"Yes, mama."
"Okay."

- You know, the videos
is about, you know, being me,

being Black and Jewish.

I went to this house party
one time

and when I showed up there, you
know, it was a bunch of kids.

I ended up, like,
getting made fun of,

but the point is I want to
dedicate this award to, like,

any kid that's ever had
a long walk home by yourself.

This is to you, man. For real.
We made it, bitch!

[cheers and applause]

[energetic music]

♪ ♪

[photographers shouting]

- ♪ And tonight had
something wonderful ♪

♪ My bad habits lead
to late nights, endin' alone ♪

♪ Conversations with
a stranger I barely know ♪

- Yes. Welcome back.
And yes, look who I ran into!

It is happening.

VMA-winning, the Blond Don,
Machine Gun Kelly!

- Hi, hi.
- We are reunited!

- It's been a while.
- We are reunited.

Many years.
- Yes, many years.

- I'm so happy to be with you
because you've been supportive

of mine for a very long time.
- A very long time.

- Yeah.
- I am so proud of you.

Last year, we saw you perform
during the pre-show.

This year, main stage,
thanks to Doritos.

This is going to be incredible.
How do you feel about this?

- I mean, one, I always wanted
to walk a red carpet with fans

and be able to see people

and the stuff that I watched
on MTV when I was growing up.

- That's right, that's right.

- I think, like, manifestation
is the key word for me.

I tweeted 9 years ago

that I wanted to perform
at the VMAs.

Obviously it's been like
a lifetime dream for me.

So the fact that it came true,

I'm glad it's happening
now than earlier,

and it made me, like, earn
my right to be here, you know?

- Yeah. Remember growing up
in Cleveland,

and this moment, did you think
it was going to happen?

Talk to me.
- Oh, yeah.

Ask anybody in Cleveland,
they'll tell you.

I was walking around
with mixtapes,

telling everybody like,

"Dude, I'm the hottest thing
going here. Like, you'll know."

- Now, we're getting ready
for your performance tonight.

You always take it
to another level.

How are you going
to do that tonight?

- I've been
really inspired by,

almost like musical theater,
if that makes any sense.

It will when you see it.
- Oh, yeah.

- But kind of like
an interpretation

of the lyrics
that I wrote in my brain,

and then you take it
and make what you want of it.

- I'm so excited.
And I saw you and your lady,

Megan, walking down
this red carpet.

- Yes. Yes.
That's my heart.

- Wait, we can't just,
you know,

talk through everything
and not talk about

how amazing the both
of you looked. What?

- Thank you.
Yeah, that's all her, but--

- Is she deciding
what you're wearing?

Are you helping her?
What's that like?

What's that conversation
in the room like, MGK?

Come on.
- It's 50/50.

This one, she took the lead.
- I like it.

- And I get the pleasure
of having her on my arm

all night, and she's beautiful.

- Oh, my gosh.
Yeah, she is.

She's back there,
in case the cameras can't see.

Well, listen, MGK,
have an amazing time tonight.

Say hi to your lady.
- I will.

- Love seeing you, as always.
- Thank you.

- And I know
there's more stuff happening

on the red carpet right now.
What's going on?

- It's time
to give a very special VMA.

And I'm here with one of the
trailblazing digital creators

on social media
to tell you more about it.

Bretman Rock!
- Whoo!

Thank you for having me,
I'm so happy to be here.

You know me, Tinashe.
- Oh, yes.

- I'm always ready to serve.

- Oh, my gosh,
and you're serving

in this vintage gown, looking--

- Yes. Mr. Roberto Cavalli,
shout-out to you.

- Chef's kiss.

- This week, MTV has been
celebrating the creators,

artists, and songs
that blew up on TikTok.

And, honey,
there was a lot of them,

and so many
performing artists tonight

have inspired huge trends.

Do you think Lil Nas has seen
the "Industry Baby" TikTok?

- The one that you did?
Honey, everyone has seen it.

- He better have seen it.
- I think he has.

Fans voted in TikTok last week
for categories like

Best New Artist and Creator
Collab and Best Comeback Song.

All but one of the winners
were announced on Friday,

during the livestream
celebration.

- And so, right here,
right now,

we're going to reveal
the trendiest VMA winner

for Breakthrough--
Best Breakthrough Song.

- Let's take a look
at the nominees!

- ♪ I'm not built for you ♪

- ♪ [vocalizing] ♪

- ♪ There's a whole lotta
money in this [...] ♪

- ♪ I get them big bags, yeah ♪

♪ Count 'em and flip ♪

-♪ Fallin' out in a drought ♪

♪ No flow,
rain wasn't pouring down ♪

- ♪ He couldn't find
a replacement ♪

♪ He done lost a good [...],
y'all too basic ♪

- And the winner is...

Claire Rosinkranz! Whoo!

Unfortunately, she couldn't
make it here tonight,

so I will be accepting
her award on her behalf.

- Well, congratulations.

I know I said this before,
but this is my favorite,

favorite time
to give out another award.

And next up, it's
for Group of the Year.

You guys loved
the 2021 nominees--

BTS, Foo Fighters,

CNCO, Jonas Brothers,

Maroon 5, Silk Sonic,
and BLACKPINK.

Well, you voted
an incredible 25 million times,

which is insane.

That's, like,
an insane amount of votes.

- Yes.
- If all of those votes

followed me on Instagram,
I don't know.

- @Tinashe.
- Follow me.

And the winner is...

BTS!
- Whoo!

[cheering]

- Congratulations to BTS.

They couldn't be here
either tonight,

but they wanted
to send their love

and a special thank you
to all of their fans.

Let's take a look.

- Hey, we are...
all: BTS.

- Thank you, VMAs,

for the Group
of the Year award.

- And ARMYs, this is all
possible thanks to you guys.

Although we can't meet
in person,

we feel your love,
every minute and second.

- We love you, and we miss you.

all: Thank you so much!

- Thank you!

- Look who I found.

Okay, Simone Biles here.

By the way
I've been stretching,

I've been trying to get right.

But listen, I can't
even do a cartwheel.

I can't do anything you do.

You're incredible.
- Thank you.

- Thank you so much for taking
the time to be here today!

- You're welcome!

- What an event,
the VMAs, right?

- I'm very excited.

- Now, I heard you're
going to be on stage.

What are you going to be
doing on that stage,

'cause I'm so curious now?

- So, I'll be presenting
Doja Cat tonight.

- Wait a minute.
You said it so casually!

- Yeah.
- That's going to be amazing.

- Yeah.
- This is exciting.

Any pressure?

- I honestly feel more nervous
than I do competing.

And I don't know why--
- What?

- But, I don't know.
- What is it?

- It's like a little bit
out of my element.

- Okay, a little bit,
but you're doing amazing.

- Thank you.
- Okay.

So what is your must,
go-to item

that you have to have
when you hit the red carpet?

- Oh, probably lip gloss.
Keep them fresh.

- Lip gloss. Yeah.
- Yeah. Nice.

- Can't go wrong with that.
No, not at all.

Well, out of all the nominees,
who's on your playlist

when you're getting ready
to work out?

- Okay, definitely
right now, my hype list,

I'm super excited
to pronounce--

to announce her,
but it's also Doja Cat.

- Really?
You're not just saying that?

- No, I'm not just saying that.
I'm dead serious!

We're, like, jamming to her.
Love her music.

- That is so awesome.

Well, listen, would you be able
to teach me a couple moves,

or do you think it's like,
I've had my run?

- Maybe afterwards. Yeah.
- Maybe afterwards. Wow.

You're so nice.
I love it.

Well, Simone Biles, I can't
wait to see you on that stage.

Congratulations
on all of your success.

We all love you so much.
- Thank you so much.

- Of course.
It's going to be amazing.

And, of course, there's
so much more coming up

from the 2021 VMA Pre-Show.

But first, this is
the Video Music Awards,

so it only makes sense
to address the biggest award

of the night,
and you guys couldn't wait

to tell us why you love
the nominees

for Video of the Year.

Let's take a look.

♪ ♪

- Cardi B featuring
Megan Thee Stallion, "WAP."

- The different makeup looks,
the choreo,

like that video deserves
everything,

and I hope it wins.

- I 'm giving the video
a 10 outta 10.

- D Khaled, featuring Drake,

"Popstar",
starring Justin Bieber.

- I, too, would be lowing up
Justin Bieber's phone

if I knew how insane
that video was gonna be.

- The collab in Justin Bieber,
DJ Khaled, and Drake

was amazing, and seeing the
whole concept of the video,

we wish you were there.

- Doja Cat, featuring Sizza,

"Kiss Me More."

- I really think that
Doja Cat

should win Video of the Year
for "Kiss Me More."

She's super great.
She's always super creative

with her visuals.

- I just remember watching it

for the first time,
and my mind being

absolutely blown at how
amazing the video is.

- ♪ Bad habits...♪

- Ed Sheeran, "Bad Habits."

- Always surprises us.

He always raises the bar.

Everything he does
is extraordinary.

- And he's got cool new hair
in this music video

with a pink suit
and special effects.

The cinematography in this
music video deserves to win.

- Lil Nas X,

"Montero,
Call Me by Your Name."

- Lil Nas X, guys.

When have you,
in the history of ever,

seen a man...

twerk down a pole?

- That was iconic!

- Probably one of the best
videos I've ever seen.

- The Weekend,
"Save Your Tears."

- The Weekend has to win
this award

because "Save Your Tears"
is an absolutely favorite,

and he's an icon
of his generation.

- See, The Weekend
has always found a way

to challenge the average eye
visually.

Now, if that is not creative,

then I don't know what is,
to be honest with you.

♪ ♪

[energetic music]

♪ ♪

- Now we all know that the
artists nominated tonight

are gonna show up.

But we have no idea
how they're gonna arrive

or what they're gonna do
once they're inside.

How 'bout we take a quick look
at just how unpredictable

the MTV VMAs can be.

[upbeat music]

The celebrities who show up
to the VMAs

don't just make entrances,
they reinvent them.

From yachts to fire trucks
to circus animals,

the VMA red carpet arrivals
have and will always be

absolutely legendary.

Let's take a look at some
of our favorites.

[old school hip-hop music]

- No one has ever made an
entrance quite like this ever.

Please welcome
to the VMA white carpet

the boys of 30 Seconds to Mars.

- This is typical bike riding
chaos right now.

- Wow, you look down
Dean Street in Brooklyn,

here comes Pharrell
on the red carpet

riding on a bike and a crew of
bicyclists doing bike tricks.

What a red carpet entrance
this is.

Man, Pharrell Williams.

Give it up for
Pharrell, Brooklyn!

[siren wailing]

- And arriving right now
to Radio City Music Hall,

it's Pink!

Did they let you play
with the siren?

- We got the siren.
How's my hair?

- It's windswept.

- And I saw this cat coming in
from Long Beach, California.

He's driving up right now
up the ramp.

Give it up for Snoop Dogg.
How y'all like this car?

[cheers and applause]

- We had the fire truck
tonight,

but now, we've got a party bus

with, of course,
Cobra Starship.

- And how much grander can you
get than this?

Oh, my gosh, the circus has
arrived, ladies and gentlemen.

I give you the ringmaster,
T-Pain! How you doing, man?

- What's going on, man?
- What a beautiful ride.

- I'm trying to do what I can,
you know?

- Yes, indeed, the man
with the tan, Ricky Martin.

Let's see how long it takes you
to disembark from this ride.

♪ ♪

- The VMAs are known
for the awards...

[cheers and applause]

fashion,
and killer performances.

♪ ♪

But if you think you know
what's going to happen,

think again.

Let's check out some of the
most unpredictable moments

from the VMA stage.

- Oh, my God!
Hello!

[grand orchestral music]

♪ ♪

Whoa, I'm so happy to be back
on planet Earth.

You guys look so great.

♪ ♪

- What's poppin', everybody?
Welcome to New York!

I got a little surprise for you,
you know what I'm saying?

♪ ♪

Welcome to 2018 VMAs!

- ♪ Don't stop ♪

[cheers and applause]

both: ♪ I love it when you
call me senorita ♪

- This is a huge surprise...

to be one of the world's
most hated rock bands

to be getting an award
right now.

- Thanks to that guy
right there.

- This guy is rock and roll.

He should be getting the award.

- I wanna thank you guys
so much.

I can't hear anything
I'm saying.

Let me hold this.
Shout out to Kevin and Tiff.

And, Tiff, don't be coming
for Fifth Harmony

because Normani is that bitch.

[record scratches]

[crowd ohh-ing]

- ♪ You're the one
I always call ♪

♪ When I need to make
everything stop ♪

♪ Finally you put my love
on top ♪

[cheers and applause]

- ♪ Ain't no other that can
sweep you up like a robber ♪

♪ Straight up, I ♪
- ♪ Got you ♪

- ♪ Making you fall
like that ♪

- ♪ Break it down ♪

- ♪ Ooh, when I look
in the mirror ♪

♪ I'll melt your heart
into two ♪

- Welcome back to
the 2021 MTV VMA red carpet,

coming to you live
from the Barclays Center

in Brooklyn, New York.
Earlier, Nessa got a chance

to talk to one of the night's
most anticipated performers,

the iconic Ed Sheeran.

Let's see what he had to say.

- I am here with the
incredibly talented,

amazing artist.

I've been waiting
such a long time

to have this conversation
with you, Ed Sheeran.

- Thank you. That's so sweet.

- Such a pleasure.
You're so talented.

- Thank you.
- And we're in Brooklyn.

Look how beautiful
this is right now.

- This is wonderful.
It is wonderful to be back.

- Well, how does it feel
for you

to be back right here
at the VMAs?

- It feels good,
yeah, it feels good.

I think my first one
was in like 2013,

and that was actually
in New York.

That was at Barclays as well,
and I've always loved it.

It's always nice.

It's so like different
to UK award shows.

It's a bit more
free, fun, like, yeah.

- Yes! At every VMA show,
incredible moments happen.

We don't know what to expect,

but what are you
looking forward to?

- I think it'd be good for a
controversial moment to happen.

In the past few VMAs,

it's all been quite sort of
like safe and nice.

- Right.
- I think it's quite nice

when something out
the ordinary happens.

- Now, you're nominated.
- Yeah.

- Four different categories,
congratulations...

- Thank you.

- Including Video of the Year
for "Bad Habits."

- Thank you.

- How did you react
when you found out about

all of these nominations?

- I obviously feel
really honored,

but then you look
in the category,

and you go,
"Yeah, I'm not winning that."

- Listen, lots of superstars--
no, but listen.

- Yeah, yeah.
- Come on.

So today you're going to do

a special performance
for, you know, all the fans,

which is really exciting.
- Yeah.

- You're going to
be performing

from the Toyota Stage,

and I don't want you to spill
everything you're going to do,

but what can we expect?
Give us some insights.

- Well, I might as well spill
what I'm going to do.

- Yeah, do it! Do it!

- I'm playing my new single,
which came out Friday, so yeah.

- "Shivers."
- "Shivers," yeah, "Shivers."

I'm doing some other stuff
with the band this week,

but it's good fun.
- Ed Sheeran,

it was such a pleasure to
be having this conversation...

- Thank you for having me.
- With you today.

I know you got to get ready.

- Yeah.
- It's going to be amazing.

Brooklyn, get ready,
for the whole world,

get ready for the VMAs.
Let's see what else

is happening on the red carpet
with my co-hosts.

- We're having an amazing time,

and it's about
to get even better

because our next performers
are ready to take this party

to the next level!

After an 8-year hiatus,

they're back with their album
"Paradise Again."

It'll be dropping
later this year.

Here to perform "It Gets
Better" and "Lifetime,"

let's get loud
for Swedish House Mafia!

♪ ♪

- ♪ It gets better, baby ♪

♪ Better, baby, better, baby ♪

♪ I want you, baby
I want you, baby ♪

♪ Yeah
It gets better, baby ♪

♪ Better, baby, better, baby
Woo ♪

♪ Let me love you ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Let me love you ♪

♪ It gets better, baby ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ It gets better, baby ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ It gets better, baby ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ It gets better ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Under the white light ♪

♪ Once in a lifetime,
watching the skyline ♪

♪ Don't change your mind
while ♪

♪ Under the white light ♪

♪ Once in a lifetime ♪

♪ Watching the skyline ♪

♪ Don't change your mind
while ♪

♪ Under the white light ♪

- ♪ Dolla $ign
Once in a lifetime ♪

♪ Baby, it's the right time ♪

♪ I'll put on the red light ♪

♪ Told you it was on,
on sight ♪

♪ You had on that sundress ♪

♪ Never fail to impress ♪

♪ We had the best sex ♪

♪ We made love all night ♪

- ♪ All night, all night ♪

- ♪ Once in a lifetime,
watching the skyline ♪

♪ Don't change your mind
while ♪

♪ Under the white light ♪

♪ Once in a lifetime,
watching the skyline ♪

♪ Don't change your mind
while ♪

♪ Under the white light ♪

[scatting]

♪ ♪

- ♪ Come with me ♪

♪ Take my hand ♪

♪ Follow me, follow me ♪

♪ To a place,
a place where we ♪

♪ Can be free,
follow me ♪

- ♪ Once in a lifetime,
watching the skyline ♪

♪ Don't change your mind
while ♪

♪ Under the white light ♪

♪ Once in a lifetime,
watching the skyline ♪

♪ Don't change your mind
while ♪

♪ Under the white light ♪

♪ Once in a lifetime,
watching the skyline ♪

♪ Don't change your mind
while ♪

♪ You're under
the white light ♪

♪ Once in a lifetime ♪

♪ Watching the skyline ♪

♪ Don't change your mind
while ♪

- ♪ Once in a lifetime ♪

♪ You'll have it your way ♪

♪ Don't you let nobody
tell you nothing ♪

♪ Ooh, yeah ♪

♪ ♪

- ♪ Whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Like a moth to a flame ♪

[indistinct chatter]

♪ ♪

[crowd cheering]

- One of the best-selling
musical artists of all time

makes their return
to the VMAs tonight

after six whole years.

And baby, baby, baby, ooh!
We are thrilled.

It's Justin Bieber.

The Biebs has had so many
iconic trips to the VMA stage,

and we thought
we'd take a look back

at his storied VMA history.

- ♪ I got my peaches
out in Georgia ♪

♪ I get my ♪
- Justin Bieber.

- Justin Bieber.
- Justin Bieber.

- ♪ I get my light right
from the source, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, that's it ♪

♪ Baby, baby, baby, oh ♪

- Justin Bieber, what up, bro?

- Nice to meet you, dude.
- You're a popular young man.

You're 15, you're at the VMAs,
the girls are going crazy.

Life is pretty good, right?
- Yeah.

♪ Thought you'd always
be mine ♪

- The winner is Justin Bieber!

- ♪ Baby, baby, baby, oh ♪

♪ Like baby, baby, baby, no ♪

Thank you so much, everybody.

This means a lot to me.

You know, thank you
to everybody here.

Thank you so much.

♪ What do you mean? ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

MTV's always supported me,
so for me to come out

and support them
and just show love and--

it's always been so mutual, so
I just love--I love the VMAs.

- Yeah.
- Pretty awesome.

- This is gonna be
a performance we're gonna

be talking about
for a long time.

- Yeah, for sure.
- Yeah.

♪ Oh, oh, oh,
what do you mean? ♪

I just kinda wanna
take my own path.

I think that--
I think I'll do pretty well.

[cheers and applause]

- ♪ Put him on his knees ♪

♪ Give him something
to believe in ♪

♪ Never lost a fight,
but I'm looking for a ♪

♪ On the food chain,
I'm the one that ♪

♪ He's a bottom-feeder ♪

♪ Stand for big demeanor ♪

♪ I can make you [...]
before I ever meet you ♪

♪ If it don't hang,
then he can't [...] ♪

♪ You can't hurt my feelings,
but I like pain ♪

♪ If he [...] me and ask,
"Whose is it?" ♪

♪ When I ride the Benz,
spell my name ♪

- Welcome back.

I'm here with
the absolutely iconic

and legendary Alicia Keys.

Alicia, you have brought it
to the carpet tonight.

We are so happy that
you're here with us right now.

You're returning
to the VMA stage tonight

to sing your new single.
What can viewers expect?

- Oh, man. Tonight
is going to be so crazy.

First of all,
the energy is outrageous.

Y'all see what's
going on already.

[cheers and applause]
It is nuts.

"LALA," you're going to hear it
for the first time

on the VMA stage,
myself and Swae Lee.

And we also got a tribute,
my great city, New York City,

so we got to have the elegance,
the opulence, the vibe,

the energy,
and the love, always.

- Amazing, amazing.

Well, thank you so much
for being here with us.

I love you personally.
- I love you back.

- You're one of my icons,
so--

- Thank you, honey.
- Thank you for being here.

Thanks for talking to us,
Alicia.

Nessa, what's good?

- Well, listen. It's been
an incredible night already,

and the big show
hasn't even started.

Listen to this!
I'm so happy to be here.

Thank you to everyone who was
a part of the pre-show tonight.

The musicians, the performers,

all of the fans right here,

and my amazing cohosts,
Jamila and Tinashe.

Now, listen. We've seen
some incredible moments

on the red carpet.
You can relive it all!

It is happening here,
minutes away!

I can't wait for this.

Tinashe, I'm so curious.

What were some of the outfits
that stood out to you?

'Cause I can let you know
from now, oh, my gosh,

MGK, Megan Fox,
they were amazing!

- Yes, there were
some pretty amazing icons--

iconic outfits tonight.

My favorite was Lil Nas X.

I mean, how could you forget
that purple number?

Showstopper.

But I also like
Jack Harlow in the green.

You know,
there was a lot of good.

The men showed up tonight,
I thought.

- Oh, for sure.
Doja Cat looked amazing.

- She did.
- Now, Tinashe, I don't know

if you had a chance to see it
when I was talking to her,

her fans were chanting
her name out here.

- Yes.
- I mean, it was so wild.

- That energy.
- How about for you?

Who was out there that
just fans were losing it for?

- I think the energy here
is insane tonight.

Everyone's so happy
to be here.

- Got it.
- It's so incredible.

- Well, listen.
We got to wrap it up.

- Absolutely so much fun.
- Here we go.

Enjoy the show, everyone.

The 2021 Video Music Awards
starts now.

♪ ♪