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Reading: 2021 MTV Video Music Awards: Madonna, the winners and performances, the show, and red carpet pics
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CelebrityFashionMusic

2021 MTV Video Music Awards: Madonna, the winners and performances, the show, and red carpet pics

Last updated: September 13, 2021 7:41 AM
Miu von Furstenberg
5 Min Read
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Lil Nas X won the night’s big award, Video of the Year, for his “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” at Sunday’s 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, which celebrated their 40th anniversary with a performance-loaded broadcast at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

2021 MTV Video Music Awards
Lil Nas X attends the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)

Newcomer Olivia Rodrigo won three Moon Men during the ceremony — for Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Push Performance of the Year. Justin Bieber was also a multiple winner, scoring Artist of the Year and Best Pop Video for “Peaches” along with Daniel Caesar and Giveon. Lil Nas X’s “Montero” also won for Best Director and Visual Effects.

2021 MTV Video Music Awards
Olivia Rodrigo attends the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Bieber came in with a leading seven nominations. Megan Thee Stallion came in with the second-most noms, six, but went home empty-handed despite being in the mix for her and Cardi B’s video “Wap.”

2021 MTV Video Music Awards
Justin Bieber accepts the Artist of the Year award onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

The nod to the past of the VMAs included appearances by Madonna and Cyndi Lauper at the top of the show, as well as by original Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth to present the Video of the Year winner. The first video played on MTV, the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” played over the closing credits.

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Madonna’s thang was thanging 😩👀 #VMAs pic.twitter.com/mGm3HZooGd

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) September 13, 2021

If you’re dragging Madonna online tonight, you can’t really call yourself a feminist. If the reason you’re dragging her is because she committed the crime of still being alive, and behaving in a way that you personally don’t approve of, you are most certainly ageist. 💋 https://t.co/s30IVcn1NO

— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) September 13, 2021

Some of the hottest 2021 VMAs performances

Don't mind me… Just going to rewatch this @LilNasX x @jackharlow #VMA performance on repeat forever… 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OpWZqtJJ26

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

.@Normani's #VMA performance of "Wild Side" had me SCREAMING (and tbh, I still am). Simply iconic. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/X7lyr4Nf7J

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

It was such an honor to welcome @JustinBieber back to the #VMA stage and to welcome @thekidlaroi to the #VMA stage for the first time! 👏 pic.twitter.com/DIZSgx8vuK

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

Don't EVER wanna wake up from the daydream that is @ShawnMendes and @Tainy's #VMA performance of "Summer of Love." ☀️ ✨ pic.twitter.com/NBHs4YQyfp

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

Now THAT'S how you make your #VMA debut… let's talk about @Olivia_Rodrigo's performance of "good 4 u" forever & ever. 🦋 💕 pic.twitter.com/2nyxS0ou5k

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

Launch the gallery above for more photos from the 2021 VMAs red carpet and show.

The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards Winners List

“VIDEO OF THE YEAR”

Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
Columbia Records

"I love you guys so much, I do not take this for granted!"

From his incredible performance to taking home the Moon Person for VIdeo of the Year, congrats to @lilnasx on his #VMA night! pic.twitter.com/C7c0E6abgr

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Justin Bieber
Def Jam

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Sending a massive congrats to @Justinbieber, @DanielCaesar & @Giveon on your win for Best Pop with "Peaches" at #VMAs!! 👏 🍑 pic.twitter.com/R64POSlgOj

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

SONG OF THE YEAR

Olivia Rodrigo – “drivers license”
Geffen Records

CONGRATULATIONS to @Olivia_Rodrigo on your #VMA win for Song of the Year!! ✨ pic.twitter.com/EKR0LRxa0B

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

BEST NEW ARTIST

Olivia Rodrigo
Geffen Records

BEST COLLABORATION

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Doja Cat ft. SZA – “Kiss Me More”
Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

#VMAs 🤝 @DojaCat 🤝 Best Collaboration 🤝 @sza pic.twitter.com/LTbkORg8zY

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

BEST POP

Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon – “Peaches”
Def Jam

BEST HIP-HOP

Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A. – “Franchise”
Cactus Jack / Epic Records

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BEST ALTERNATIVE

Machine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear – “my ex’s best friend”
Bad Boy / Interscope Records

BEST K-POP

BTS – “Butter”
BIGHIT MUSIC

Congrats to @BTS_twt for winning Best K-Pop at the 2021 #VMAs! ✨ pic.twitter.com/CiP1nfmsAP

— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2021

VIDEO FOR GOOD

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Billie Eilish – “Your Power”
Darkroom / Interscope Records

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Olivia Rodrigo
May 2021: “drivers license”

BEST ROCK

John Mayer – “Last Train Home”
Columbia Records

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BEST LATIN

Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA – “Lo Vas A Olvidar”
Darkroom / Interscope Records

BEST R&B

Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open”
Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic Records

BEST DIRECTION

Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
Columbia Records – Directed by: Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Harry Styles – “Treat People With Kindness”
Columbia Records – Choreography by: Paul Roberts

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid – “BROWN SKIN GIRL”
Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records – Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, MOHAMMAED ATTA AHMED, Santiago Gonzalez, Ryan Helfant

BEST ART DIRECTION

Saweetie ft. Doja Cat – “Best Friend”
Warner Records – Art Direction by: Alec Contestabile

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Lil Nas X – “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”
Columbia Records – Visual Effects by: Mathematic

BEST EDITING

Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – “Leave The Door Open”
Aftermath Entertainment/Atlantic Records – Editing by: Troy Charbonnet

GROUP OF THE YEAR: BTS

SONG OF THE SUMMER: BTS – “Butter” – BIGHIT MUSIC
Monsta X – “Gambler” – Starship Entertainment

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