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MTV VMAs 2018: Best and Worst Moments
WORST: GYM, TAN, SEXISM!
To be fair, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation‘s DJ Pauly D and Vinny Guadagnino were better pre-show hosts than we were expecting. But when Pauly gave a few words of advice to red-carpet interviewees (“Don’t put your back to the camera!”), then quickly made a bootylicious amendment to his statement (“…unless you’re a female!”), it reminded us that these Jersey bros still have a lot of growing up to do.
BEST: HAYLEY’S HARDWARE
On the other hand, singer Hayley Kiyoko’s red-carpet win for Push Artist of the Year was a breath of fresh air, injecting some much-needed authenticity and inspiration into the pre-show broadcast. “This validates any queer woman of color that you can follow your dreams,” Kiyoko effused, and we were fist-pumping right along with her. (We’re sure the Jersey Shore gents were doing the same.)
WORST: LET’S (NOT) GET THIS PARTY STARTED
Talk about anticlimactic! Though Cardi B had been hyped as this year’s show opener, the rapper merely kicked off the ceremony with a few awkward jokes instead of a performance, before revealing that the bundle of blankets in her arms was not baby daughter Kulture, but the Moon Person she had already won before the broadcast. Slightly less anticlimactic? The real opener, Shawn Mendes — though we have to admit that Kelly Clarkson did the whole rain-soaked thing a little better.
WORST: THAT’S NOT MY NAME
Poor Camila Cabello had to grin and bear it while multiple presenters — including Tiffany Haddish and Olivia Munn — butchered her Spanish surname throughout the broadcast. Practice it in the wings, people!
BEST: MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE
Rapper Logic, who often takes a stand on political issues during his performances, continued that trend when he took the stage with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder for their song “One Day.” As they performed, a diverse group of men and women stood on stage with candles raised, all while wearing shirts that said, “We Are All Human Beings.” On a night filled with glamorous, pop-tastic performances, Logic’s was easily one of the most powerful.
BEST: LIVELY GETS LIVELY
The most painful part of any live awards show? The presenters’ cringe-inducing, scripted comedic bits. We all know they’re the stuff of nightmares. But Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively really committed to their schtick in which they teased the plot of their new movie A Simple Favor, all without realizing the Rockettes were kick-lining behind them. It was slapstick, but we confess: We giggled. A lot.
BEST: GETTING CROWDED
Even if you’re not a fan of Nicki Minaj’s music, you had to get a little thrill from watching rows and rows of Minaj fans screaming the rapper’s songs back to her, jumping up and down with complete abandon during her performance. Early in the broadcast, Minaj set a high bar for rowdiest — and sweatiest, presumably! — audience.
BEST: PITCH-PERFECT PANIC
Having previously performed on Broadway as Kinky Boots‘ Charlie Price, Panic! at the Disco’s lead singer Brendon Urie has some experience strutting around New York City stages — and he put those skills to good use during the band’s performance of “High Hopes.” Weaving his way through Radio City Music Hall’s audience, and mugging for the camera at every turn, Urie turned in the evening’s suavest performance. (That jacket alone earned him a lot of points.)
BEST: NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
If you didn’t know who Jessie Reyez was before, the Canadian singer-songwriter demanded you know her name after Monday’s broadcast, and her impressive performance of “Apple Juice” accomplished that goal. Girl’s. Got. Pipes.
BEST: CHANGING OF THE VANGUARD
Admit it: You felt short of breath just watching Video Vanguard Award recipient Jennifer Lopez perform a medley of her greatest hits. (So did we.) But immediately after delivering a high-energy, highly sequined performance, Lopez gave a heartfelt acceptance speech that included sweet shoutouts to her children and her current beau, pro baseball player Alex Rodriguez. Cue the heart-eye emojis!
BEST: ARIANA’S ANGELS
Also among Monday’s strongest performances: Ariana Grande’s vocally flawless live version of “God Is A Woman,” accompanied by a seriously sultry staging.
WORST: UH, WHAT?
Truth be told, we had no idea what was happening here. If you had a clue, help us out in the comments section, wouldja?
WORST: MADONNA’S MOMENT
Was it just us, or did Madonna’s tribute to the late Aretha Franklin feel a little… Madonna-centric? (And was she throwing shade at Video of the Year winner Camila Cabello with that pause before announcing the victor? Discuss!)
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Shutterstock
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Shutterstock
Image: Shutterstock
Image: Courtesy of MTV
Image: Courtesy of MTV
