So, you missed the VMAs. Maybe you were sleeping, like a normal, rational adult, maybe you just planned to get the recap on the internet the next day. Either way, you missed QUITE a lot of stuff. Here are the highlights
1. Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj performed together on stage
Taylor and Nicki put that mini Twitter feud firmly to rest, opening up the VMAs with a duet performance of The Night is Still Young. They even hugged at the end, and everyone cheered. Aww.
2. Nicki Minaj called out Miley Cyrus
But while THAT Nicki Minaj spat got all sorted out, another one got taken up a few hundred notches. ICYMI, Miley waded into the previous Taylor/Nicki awkwardness in an interview with the New York Times, in which she called Nicki 'not too kind' and 'not very polite.'
So, when Nicki won the ‘Hip Hop Video’ award, she decided to give Miley a fairly terrifying shout-out, staring her down while proclaiming: 'back to this b*tch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press. Miley, what’s good?' It was haunting.
3. And Miley tried to respond
Miley reacted with total shock and embarrassment (as you would), but followed up Nicki’s comments with some subtle shadiness of her own. First, she alleges that the New York Times interviewer manipulated her words.
But then, she starts talking about the ‘Artist to Watch’ award, and says this: 'I lost this award back in 2008 and I was fine with it. Whatever. Because it’s no big deal. It’s just an award, and I persevered.' This was all said while looking at Nicki Minaj.
It was uncomfortable, and Nicki responded with this:
** 4. Kanye West danced to The Weeknd**
On a more positive note, we were treated to some classic VMAs audience dancing this year. And this time, it wasn’t even from Taylor Swift, because she was too busy hugging people. Kanye really, really enjoyed The Weeknd’s performance of Can’t Feel My Face, got down, and brought joy to the world.
5. Zayn Malik was noticeably absent
Sadly NOT bringing joy to the world was Zayn Malik, whose absence at the awards show devastated fans. Somehow, a rumour spread that he would join The Weeknd onstage for a performance. He didn’t. People were disappointed.
** 6. Justin Bieber cried real tears**
Justin Bieber delivered an unexpectedly brilliant performance of Where Are U Now and What Do You Mean, which gained him some respect and helped to distract from his slightly Kate Gosselin-esque new hair-do. He ended the performance with some light sobbing, leaving everyone a little curious about what the heck is wrong.
7. Taylor Swift presented Kanye with the Video Vanguard award
The Internet and the VMAs came full circle, with Taylor given the chance to present Kanye with his Video Vanguard award. And she did so, superbly, referencing back that iconic scene-stealing moment. 'I’ma let you finish,' she said. 'But Kanye West has had one of the greatest careers of all time.'
8. Kanye West announced plans for presidency
Kanye accepted his award in classic Kanye fashion, delivering a long, rambling speech that covered everything from leather shirts and the importance of juice to the artistic voice and why we need to listen to the kids. He took aim at awards shows in general, which was entertaining, but mostly people were a bit confused.
He then intensified the whole thing by announcing that he’s running for president in 2020, and dropping the mic.
The biggest moment of the night, hands down.
9. Miley Cyrus talked about smoking weed. A lot.
Miley Cyrus kicked off the VMAs by getting the crowd to shout ‘marijuana’, which was a bit random, but mostly entertaining. But after a few too many weed references sprinkled throughout the night, people were a little fed up of Miley’s bong bragging. By the time she reached her performance of Do It, with lyrics including 'yeah, I smoke pot//yeah, I like peace,' some serious eye-rolling was happening.
10. Miley Cyrus released her new album in full, for free
Delivering the final mic drop moment of the night, Miley announced that she had just released her new album in full online, available for free download. It’s a bit of a slap in the face for Taylor Swift, who’s all about paying musicians for their work, but seems to have achieved its mission of drumming up publicity for Miley’s new record – the album’s website was overloaded with fans trying to listen to it first and subsequently crashed.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.