The highly anticipated MTV Video Music Awards (VMA's) premiered Sunday, August 30, 2015 and was definitely a night to remember. From lots of celebrity shade, outstanding performances, surprising fashion choices, and progressive calls to action, the night was pact full of notable events that might just go down in, not just pop culture history, but also could possibly reach the textbooks. If you missed the VMA's or were too busy Tweeting about Miley's outfit, here's a recap of everything you need to know about the 2015 VMA's.
Beginning with the red carpet walks and VMA pre-show, all the big name celebrities strutted their stuff in their most chic outfits. Most notably, the host of the 2015 VMA's, Miley Cyrus, walked in what can be considered a "scandalous" outfit (with plenty more to come), considering almost all of her body was showing. But props to Miley for always playing by her own rules and fighting against the stigma of the human body. #Flawless
Taylor Swift also rolled up with her crew from the Bad Blood music video to debut her newest video for her song "Wildest Dream." Which, by the way, was cinematically amazing in every way.
Speaking of Taylor Swift, she joined Nicki Minaj on stage as she opened up the 2015 VMA's with a rendition of her current top hits. This was definitely a surprise for everyone, considering their most recent Twitter fight. But looks like there isn't any Bad Blood between the two, strong female celebs.
But it does look like there is certainly some between Cyrus and Minaj. When Nicki Minaj went onstage to accept her award for Best Hip Hop Music Video, she intentionally called out Cyrus with some serious attitude. This probably has to do with Miley's latest attack on Nicki, saying that Minaj went about addressing her nomination snub in the wrong way (bringing up race).
It wasn't over after Nicki did the deed. Miley shot back at her, basically implying that Minaj just needs to work hard, because it's "no big deal" that her music video wasn't nominated for Video of The Year. Since it also happened to Miley, it's not a race thing, right?
Meanwhile, people are so confused as to what is going on and even speculating it was all an act.
After all the drama, awards were given out, jokes were made, and celebrities were showcased, all leading up to the highly anticipated return of Bieber. Yes that's right, Justin Bieber hasn't graced the VMA stage in five years, but came back strong with his two latest hits "Where Are Ü Now" and "What Do You Mean?" Justin went on to give a perfectly choreographed performance and even sent a bigger message to his audience that they should "Believe in something bigger then yourself" before proceeding to fly in the air! And finally, an emotional Bieber closes out his performance tearing up, presumably at the audience's excited response, where he's used to crowds booing him.
And he didn't stop there, releasing his new music video for "What Do You Mean?" which is sure to be nominated for next years VMA's.
Also a standout performance, was the amazingly talented Tori Kelly who rocked the stage with her perfectly pitched vocals and genuine soul, singing her live version of "Should've Been Us." Kelly is an artist on the rise with her recently released debut album "Unbreakable Smile" and now she's sharing the stage with the biggest names in music.
Following a night of great performances (and more to come), Kanye West was granted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award, which is a great honor considering its previous holders, Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. After ironically receiving the award from Taylor Swift, whom, if you've forgotten was dissed by Kanye in 2009, West proceeded to bask in the cheers.
When he finally began to speak, Kanye addressed multiple topics, such as his haters, a media focus on ratings versus artistry, and most notably how we (the world) need to "Listen to the kids!"
Kanye pushed for the world to "teach our kids to believe in themselves," calling out the millenials as the change makers. After his diss towards awards shows as a whole and MTV, Kanye exits the stage, but not before dropping the bomb that he has supposedly decided to run for president in the 2020 campaign. Since then, a string of fan, Twitter accounts have been made and they have absolutely no chill.
After that whole commotion, most viewers probably tuned out, because c'mon who can upstage Kanye at the VMA's?
The show, however, did go on to announce Miley's not-so-surprising performance, which, you guessed it, showcased a lot of skin, marijuana references, crazy costumes, and crotch confetti canons (?).
Additionally, Taylor Swift, whom was clearly the star of the entire night, won--on top of her 3 other VMA's-- Video of The Year with Bad Blood. Swift was all over the place this year at the VMA's and I'm sure Swifties everywhere aren't complaining.
Without a doubt, everyone who showed up to the VMA's was impressive, to say the least. But what impressed me most was not the great performances, or the fashion forward outfits. It was the overhwhelming positivity and progressiveness displayed in almost every aspect of the night. From PSA's calling for young girls to accept themselves and rhetorical "White Squad" commercials, to the category "Best Video With A Social Message" and celebrities calling for all-around acceptance.
A prime example of the night was Amber Rose and Blac Chyna's outfits, which displayed derogatory words that women, especially in the Hollywood industry, are called all the time. Bringing to light this issue on the red carpet of the VMA's is sure to get some people talking.
It's clear that this is the generation of change. The people of influence are all jumping on board the train that calls for a better future, for everyone.
So if there's anything that you should take away from the 2015 VMA's, it's that people are finally speaking up for themselves and others. We are starting conversations about race, gender, sexuality, media portrayals, acceptance, and equality. Even Kanye West is standing up and willing to "die for the artist," by which he means being a voice for true music versus media ratings.
Sure, Taylor and Justin may have looked extra hot tonight, but in the end, that's not the most important thing that happened on the night of the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.
