The 2024 MTV Music Video Awards took place on Sept. 11 at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York. The show, hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, featured big names such as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan and Lenny Kravitz. With 18 performers and 25 awards, the show was entertaining from beginning to end.
Rolling Out the Red Carpet
Before the show, guests stepped onto the red carpet, ready to leave impressions — especially the stars who arrived in pairs. From Margaret Qualley in Chanel Haute Couture with Jack Antonoff to Katy Perry in a top-to-bottom Who Decides War ensemble with Orlando Bloom, the couples were unafraid to leave a mark in the fashion history books.
Although, did the outfit of the music industry’s number one girl, Swift, fall flat? The singer wore a yellow plaid Christian Dior corset top and matching skirt, completed with black leather gloves. Fans were quick to hop on X and express their negative opinions of the look. However, Swift redeemed herself later in the night with a wardrobe change into a mini beaded Monse dress attached to leather straps.
Tate McRae, pop music’s newest princess, channeled her inner Britney Spears on the red carpet. In a custom Roberto Cavalli laced mini dress tied together with open-toed black heels, she paid homage to Spear’s Dolce & Gabbana look at the 2001 VMAs. McRae is here to stay and taking the internet Spears comparisons seriously.
A “Taste” of the Performances
The award show was not complete without its eccentric lineup of performers. The list included newer artists like Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Megan Thee Stallion, Teddy Swims and Sabrina Carpenter.
Also performing were established singers Annita, Camila Cabello, Eminem, GloRilla, Halsey, Jessie Murph, Karol G, Le Sserafim, Lisa, LL Cool J, Rauw Alejandro and Shawn Mendes. The performances were a true reflection of today’s music scene.
Despite the performances stealing the show, the hidden drama unfolded on stage all evening. The drama dates to 2023, when rumors began speculating that Mendes and Carpenter were a couple shortly after Mendes’s breakup with Cabello. The new couple did not last long, as Mendes and Cabello reunited. With all three being singers, multiple songs were written on the love triangle. Two of which, “Taste” and “June Gloom,” were performed during the show adding to the intrigue.
Pop Girlies Sweeping the Awards
The VMAs are different from other music awards because viewers get to vote. The voting lasts a month, with 10 votes per category daily. This system allows viewers to feel more connected to the show and its nominees and winners.
So, who did the viewers vote for? The biggest award of the night, Best Music Video, was awarded to none other than the biggest pop star herself, Taylor Swift. The music video, directed by Swift, for her song “Fortnight” featured herself, Post Malone, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles and Alex Shafer — quite the star-studded list.
Chappell Roan won Best New Artist, one of the most competitive awards. This award is the singer’s first VMA. Roan blew up in the music world last year with hit songs such as “Good Luck, Babe” and “HOT TO GO!” Although, the competition was neck and neck, as Roan was up against new artists Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims and Tyla.
Roan was not the only artist to win their first VMA. Carpenter joined her after winning her first VMA for the hit song “Espresso” in the Song of the Summer category. The former Disney Channel star made a name for herself in the music world last year, becoming one of the most streamed female artists on Spotify in 2024. It is safe to say she has “that me espresso,” and so did the 2024 VMAs.
