2021 MTV Video Music Awards

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2021 MTV Video Music Awards
2021 MTV Video Music Awards.svg
DateSeptember 12, 2021 (2021-09-12)
VenueBarclays Center, Brooklyn, New York City
CountryUnited States
Hosted byDoja Cat
Most awards
Most nominationsJustin Bieber (9)
Websitemtv.com/vma
Television/radio coverage
Network
Produced byBruce Gillmer and Jesse Ignjatovic

The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards were held on September 12, 2021, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City. This marked the first time for eight years that the venue is hosting the show.[1][2] The show was hosted by hip-hop rapper and singer Doja Cat.[3] It was the first time in history a Video of the Year nominee hosted the ceremony the same year.[4]

The ceremony was simulcast on The CW, a free over-the-air broadcaster, with Mountain and Pacific time zones airing it live and others delayed for primetime, and on various ViacomCBS networks and platforms.[5] Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo and BTS were the most awarded artists of the night with three awards each, followed by Billie Eilish, and Justin Bieber with two each; the latter was also the most nominated artist with nine nominations. Beyoncé extended her lead as the most-awarded artist in the show's history, collecting her 29th trophy. Her daughter Blue Ivy Carter also became the youngest winner in the show's history.[6]

On August 1, a new iteration of the MTV Video Music Awards "moon person" trophy was unveiled at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, in honor of MTV's 40th anniversary. Designed by Kehinde Wiley, it features vines and flowers symbolizing "the ethnic histories that surround America", with the network stating that "each intertwined vine or leaf" holds a "different historical relevance, such as the seeds from African slaves, that are woven into the American tapestry".[7][8]

MTV collaborated with 9/11 Day for a week of activities to "promote awareness and positive action" in honor of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which fell on the eve of the ceremony.[1][9]

The show received 3.0 million viewers across all networks, including 900,000 viewers on MTV, representing a 31% drop from last year’s 1.3 million. However, the show garnered 38 million interactions across all U.S. platforms, beating the Super Bowl for the first time and becoming 2021’s top telecast in social media buzz. Internationally, the VMAs increased 43% in Brazil and 25% in the U.K. [10][11][12]

Performances[]

Lorde was initially announced as a performer for the main show on August 18, 2021, but later pulled out of the event on September 3 "due to a change in production elements".[13] Ed Sheeran additionally performed his new single "Bad Habits",[14] but the clip was uploaded to MTV's YouTube channel instead of being shown during the live broadcast.

List of musical performances
Artist(s) Song(s)
Pre-show[15][16]
Polo G "Rapstar"
Kim Petras "Future Starts Now"
Swedish House Mafia "It Gets Better"
"Lifetime"
Main show[16][17][18]
The Kid Laroi
Justin Bieber 		"Stay"
"Ghost" (Justin Bieber only)
Olivia Rodrigo "Good 4 U"
Kacey Musgraves "Star-Crossed"
Twenty One Pilots "Saturday"
Saint Jhn "Sucks To Be You"
"Trap"
(on the Extended Play Stage)
Ed Sheeran "Shivers"
(from the Brooklyn Bridge Park)
Lil Nas X
Jack Harlow 		"Industry Baby"
"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" (Lil Nas X only)
Camila Cabello "Don't Go Yet"
Shawn Mendes
Tainy 		"Summer of Love"
Anitta "Girl from Rio" (advertisement for Burger King)
Latto "Big Energy"
"Muwop"
"Bitch from da Souf"
(on the Extended Play Stage)
Doja Cat "Been Like This"
"You Right"
Chlöe "Have Mercy"
Normani "Wild Side"
Ozuna "La Funka"
Foo Fighters Global Icon Medley:
"Learn to Fly"
"Shame Shame"
"Everlong"
Alicia Keys
Swae Lee 		"Lala (Unlocked)"
"Empire State of Mind" (Alicia Keys only)
(from Liberty State Park)
Busta Rhymes
Spliff Star 		Medley:
"Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See"
"Ante Up"
"Scenario"
"Touch It"
"Look at Me Now"
"Pass the Courvoisier"
Machine Gun Kelly
Travis Barker 		"Papercuts"
(presented by Doritos)

Presenters[]

Presenters for the ceremony were announced on September 8, 2021.[19] Nessa Diab and Jamila Mustafa hosted the 90-minute pre-show event, while Tinashe served as a special celebrity correspondent.[15]

Pre-show[]

  • Jamila Mustafa — presented Push Performance of the Year
  • Tinashe and Bretman Rock — presented Group of the Year[20]

Main show[]

  • Madonna — opened the show
  • Jennifer Lopez — presented Song of the Year
  • Hailey Bieber — introduced Kacey Musgraves
  • Cyndi Lauper — presented Best Pop
  • Madison Beer — introduced the Extended Play Stage and Saint Jhn
  • Rita Ora — introduced Ed Sheeran
  • Billy Porter — introduced Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow
  • Avril Lavigne — presented Video for Good
  • Charli XCX — introduced Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes and Tainy
  • Leslie Grace — introduced Latto
  • Simone Biles — introduced Doja Cat
  • Conor McGregor — presented Artist of the Year
  • Halle Bailey — introduced Chlöe
  • Wyclef Jean — presented Best Hip-Hop
  • Ciara — introduced Normani
  • Fat Joe — introduced Ozuna
  • Ashanti and Ja Rule — presented Best Collaboration
  • AJ McLean, Lance Bass and Nick Lachey — presented Best K-Pop
  • Billie Eilish — introduced Foo Fighters and presented the Global Icon Award to them
  • SZA — introduced Alicia Keys and Swae Lee
  • Tommy Lee — presented Best Alternative
  • Doja Cat (host) — presented Best New Artist
  • Swizz Beatz — introduced Busta Rhymes
  • David Lee Roth — presented Video of the Year
  • Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian — introduced Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker

Winners and nominees[]

Nominations were announced on August 11, 2021.[21][22] BTS, Olivia Rodrigo and Lil Nas X won the most awards of the night with three each, followed by Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Silk Sonic and Justin Bieber with two each. Bieber was the most-nominated artist with nine, followed by Megan Thee Stallion and BTS with seven.[22][23] Voting for select categories began on the same day and took place on the VMA website until September 3. Voting for Best New Artist continued until during showtime.[24] Social category nominations, including Group of the Year and Song of Summer, were announced on September 3, 2021. Voting for the former opened on September 4, while voting for the latter opened on September 7—both took place via MTV's Instagram stories.[25]

Winners are listed first and in bold.[26]

List of winners and nominees for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards
Video of the Year Song of the Year
  • Lil Nas X – "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"
    • Cardi B (featuring Megan Thee Stallion) – "WAP"
    • DJ Khaled (featuring Drake) – "Popstar" (starring Justin Bieber)
    • Doja Cat (featuring SZA) – "Kiss Me More"
    • Ed Sheeran – "Bad Habits"
    • The Weeknd – "Save Your Tears"
Artist of the Year Best New Artist
(presented by Facebook)
Push Performance of The Year Best Collaboration
Best Pop Best Hip Hop
  • Justin Bieber (featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon) – "Peaches"
    • Ariana Grande – "Positions"
    • Billie Eilish – "Therefore I Am"
    • BTS – "Butter"
    • Harry Styles – "Treat People with Kindness"
    • Olivia Rodrigo – "Good 4 U"
    • Shawn Mendes – "Wonder"
    • Taylor Swift – "Willow"
Best R&B Best K-Pop
  • Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic – "Leave the Door Open"
    • Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, Saint Jhn, and Wizkid – "Brown Skin Girl"
    • Chris Brown and Young Thug – "Go Crazy"
    • Giveon – "Heartbreak Anniversary"
    • H.E.R. (featuring Chris Brown) – "Come Through"
    • SZA – "Good Days"
  • BTS – "Butter"
    • Blackpink and Selena Gomez – "Ice Cream"
    • (G)I-dle – "Dumdi Dumdi"
    • Monsta X – "Gambler"
    • Seventeen – "Ready to Love"
    • Twice – "Alcohol-Free"
Best Latin Best Rock
Best Alternative Video for Good
  • Billie Eilish – "Your Power"
Group of the Year Song of Summer
  • BTS
    • Blackpink
    • CNCO
    • Foo Fighters
    • Jonas Brothers
    • Maroon 5
    • Silk Sonic
    • Twenty One Pilots
Best Direction
(presented by Discord) 		Best Art Direction
(presented by Discord)
  • Lil Nas X – "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" (Director: Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino)
    • Billie Eilish – "Your Power" (Director: Billie Eilish)
    • DJ Khaled (featuring Drake) – "Popstar" (starring Justin Bieber) (Director: Julien Christian Lutz pka Director X)
    • Taylor Swift – "Willow" (Director: Taylor Swift)
    • Travis Scott (featuring Young Thug and M.I.A.) – "Franchise" (Director: Travis Scott)
    • Tyler, the Creator – "Lumberjack" (Director: Wolf Haley)
  • Saweetie (featuring Doja Cat) – "Best Friend" (Art Director: Alec Contestabile)
    • Beyoncé, Shatta Wale and Major Lazer – "Already" (Art Directors: Susan Linns and Gerard Santos)
    • Ed Sheeran – "Bad Habits" (Art Director: Alison Dominitz)
    • Lady Gaga – "911" (Art Directors: Tom Foden and Peter Andrus)
    • Lil Nas X – "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" (Art Director: John Richoux)
    • Taylor Swift – "Willow" (Art Directors: Ethan Tobman and Regina Fernandez)
Best Choreography
(presented by Discord) 		Best Cinematography
(presented by Discord)
  • Harry Styles – "Treat People with Kindness" (Choreographer: Paul Roberts)
    • Ariana Grande – "34+35" (Choreographers: Brian Nicholson and Scott Nicholson)
    • BTS – "Butter" (Choreographers: Son Sung Deuk with BHM Performance Directing Team)
    • Ed Sheeran – "Bad Habits" (Choreographer: Natricia Bernard)
    • Foo Fighters – "Shame Shame" (Choreographer: Nina McNeely)
    • Marshmello and Halsey – "Be Kind" (Choreographer: Dani Vitale)
  • Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, Saint Jhn, and Wizkid – "Brown Skin Girl" (Directors of Photography: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammaed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez and Ryan Helfant)
    • Billie Eilish – "Therefore I Am" (Director of Photography: Rob Witt)
    • Foo Fighters – "Shame Shame" (Director of Photography: Santiago Gonzalez)
    • Justin Bieber (featuring Chance the Rapper) – "Holy" (Director of Photography: Elias Talbot)
    • Lady Gaga – "911" (Director of Photography: Jeff Cronenweth)
    • Lorde – "Solar Power" (Director of Photography: Andrew Stroud)
Best Editing
(presented by Discord) 		Best Visual Effects
(presented by Discord)
  • Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic – "Leave the Door Open" (Editor: Troy Charbonnet)
    • BTS – "Butter" (Editor: Yong Seok Choi from Lumpens)
    • Drake – "What's Next" (Editor: Noah Kendal)
    • Harry Styles – "Treat People with Kindness" (Editor: Claudia Wass)
    • Justin Bieber (featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon) – "Peaches" (Editor: Mark Mayr and Vinnie Hobbs)
    • Miley Cyrus (featuring Dua Lipa) – "Prisoner" (Editor: William Town)
  • Lil Nas X – "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" (Visual Effects: Mathematic)
    • Bella Poarch – "Build a Bitch" (Visual Effects: Andrew Donoho, Denhov Visuals, Denis Strahhov, Rein Jakobson, Vahur Kuusk, Tatjana Pavlik and Yekaterina Vetrova)
    • Coldplay – "Higher Power" (Visual Effects: Mathematic)
    • Doja Cat and the Weeknd – "You Right" (Visual Effects: La Pac, Anthony Lestremau, Julien Missaire, Petr Shkolniy, Alexi Bailla, Micha Sher, Antoine Hache, Mikros MPC, Nicolas Huget, Guillaume Ho Tsong Fang, Benjamin Lenfant, Stephane Pivron, MPC Bangalore, Chanakya Chander, Raju Ganesh and David Rouxel)
    • Glass Animals – "Tangerine" (Visual Effects: YSF Studio Paris)
    • Pink – "All I Know So Far" (Visual Effects: Dominique Vidal, Geoffrey Niquet, Annabelle Zoellin and Camille Gibrat)
MTV Global Icon Award
Foo Fighters

References[]

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  2. ^ Curto, Justin (June 8, 2021). "The VMAs Will Finally Take Place at Barclays Center This September". Vulture. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Bloom, Madison (August 25, 2021). "Doja Cat to Host MTV VMAs 2021". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Grein, Paul (August 25, 2021). "Doja Cat to Host 2021 MTV Video Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "MTV's 2021 Video Music Awards to Simulcast on the CW for Second Consecutive Year". August 9, 2021.
  6. ^ "Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 9-Year-Old Daughter Becomes Youngest-Ever VMA Winner".
  7. ^ Bloom, Madison (August 1, 2021). "Kehinde Wiley Designs New MTV VMAs Moon Person Trophy". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  8. ^ Kreps, Daniel (August 1, 2021). "MTV Reveals New Moon Person Statue to Mark 40th Anniversary". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  9. ^ Mier, Tomás (June 8, 2021). "MTV Video Music Awards Will Honor 9/11 Victims for 20th Anniversary as It Returns to New York City". People. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
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  13. ^ Mamo, Heran (September 3, 2021). "Lorde No Longer Performing at 2021 MTV Video Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Doria, Matt (September 13, 2021). "Watch Ed Sheeran perform 'Shivers' and 'Bad Habits' from the 2021 MTV VMAs". NME. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Brockington, Ariana (September 13, 2021). "MTV VMAs: Watch the Red Carpet Live Stream". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Strauss, Matthew; Monroe, Jazz (September 13, 2021). "MTV VMAs 2021: Watch All the Performances". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  17. ^ Mamo, Heran (September 13, 2021). "All the 2021 VMAs Performances Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  18. ^ Unterberger, Andrew (September 13, 2021). "MTV Celebrates Its Own Legacy in Unexpectedly Retro-Minded 2021 VMAs, But Newest Stars Bring Biggest Thrills". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  19. ^ Nazareno, Mia (September 8, 2021). "Here Are All the Performers & Presenters for the 2021 MTV VMAs". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  20. ^ Nied, Mike (September 12, 2021). "This Influencer Wore Aliyah's Iconic 2000 VMAS Gown 20 Years After Her Death". PopCrush. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  21. ^ "MTV VMAs 2021: See who's nominated". CNN. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Torres, Eric (August 11, 2021). "MTV VMAs 2021 Nominees Announced: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  23. ^ Aswad, Jem (August 11, 2021). "Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion Lead MTV VMA Nominations". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  24. ^ Blackwelder, Carson (August 11, 2021). "Justin Bieber and Megan Thee Stallion lead 2021 MTV VMA nominations". Good Morning America. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  25. ^ Wang, Steffanee (September 3, 2021). "Kim Petras and Polo G will perform at MTV's 2021 VMAs Pre-Show concert". Nylon. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  26. ^ Hussey, Alison (September 13, 2021). "MTV VMAs 2021 Winners: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 13, 2021.

External links[]

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