2018 MTV VMAs
Cardi B opened the 2018 MTV VMAs from Radio City Music Hall in New York City acting like she was breastfeeding her infant, but pulled out a Moon Person instead as she introduced Shawn Mendes who performed In My Blood.
Cardi B, MTV VMAs, uploaded by MTV, subscribe.
The 2018 Video Music Awards continued with Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart. “MTV basically got the dream team,” Kevin said.
Tiffany called out DJ Khaled and the Jersey Show stars in the audience. Kevin told people who get face tattoos, “Stop writing on your face. It’s stupid,” and he trashed Trump.
The favorite audience couple of the evening was Ariana Grande and SNL star and fiancé Pete Davidson.
Tiffany threw shade at Fifth Harmony while congratulating Camila Cabello in the audience for her five nominations.
Best Hip Hop
The first category of the evening was Best Hip Hop and the VMA went to Nicki Minaj for Chun-Li. The Queen received the first Moon Person of the evening.
Nicki told Tiffany not to come for Fifth Harmony and told Ariana Grande she was her baby. She was also censored at the end of her acceptance speech.
Bazzi performed Beautiful.
The next category was Best Pop and the Moon Person went to Ariana Grande for No Tears Left to Cry. She thanked her fans and family and ended her speech with, “Pete Davidson thanks for existing.”
Logic performed One Day with Ryan Tedder. He filled the stage with young immigrants wearing t-shirts saying, “We are all human beings” and simulated a wall and separation. Powerful!
Jim Fallon introduced Panic At The Disco who performed High Hopes.
The Back Street Boys had the audience going crazy when they came to the stage. They sang a few popular songs acapella before introducing the nominees for Song of the Year. The MTV VMA Award went to Post Malone and 21 Savage for Rockstar.
Post thanked his family, crew, and fans, “This is sick. Thank you so much, guys.”
Jessie Reyez performed Apple Juice.
The 2018 Video Music Awards continued with Nicki Minaj who tore up the stage with her performance. Only wasn’t the only reason the audience got up and went insane.
Nicki Minaj, MTV VMAs, uploaded by MTV, subscribe.
The next award was Best Latin and the VMA went to J Balvin, Willy William for “Mi Gente”.
Hayley Kiyoko performed Curious.
The Video Vanguard Award
The Video Vanguard Award went to Jennifer Lopez. She started her performance with Waiting for Tonight, On The Floor, Dance Again, Ain’t Your Mama, My Love Don’t Cost a Thing, as boyfriend Alex Rodriguez watched intently from the audience.
Jennifer also performed Get Right and All I Have as Mom and kids watched excitedly and smiling in the audience.
DJ Khalid joined in when Jennifer went into Jenny From The Block and I’m Real with Ja Rule and Dinero with DJ Khaled.
A standing ovation followed.
Jennifer Lopez, MTV VMAs, uploaded by MTV, subscribe.
Shawn Mendes told a short story of her career before Jennifer came back to the stage to receive her Moon Person. She held the trophy over her head as the audience chanted her name and gave her another standing ovation.
“This is really like an incredible honor for me. Dreaming my wildest dreams and then watching them come true.” She said people would always tell her she was doing too much and you can only do one thing, but she said she had to forge her own path.
She mentioned her children and they were the reason she felt she had to go higher and had to be better. “I stand here stronger and better than ever.”
She thanked her family, friends and Benny Medina for fighting, loving, and believing in her. “I wouldn’t be here if it were not for you.”
She ended her acceptance speech thanking her mother, father, sisters and to her boyfriend Alex, “My life is sweeter and better with you in it.”
Ariana Grande performed God is a Woman.
The next category was Artist of the Year. The VMA went to Camila Cabello. She thanked her fans “My heart is beating so fast!” She ended her speech with a shout out to all the amazing female artists, “And for my fans, this is for you. I love you.”
Pretty Much performed Summer on You.
Millie Bobby Brown announced the nominees for Best New Artist and the VMA went to Cardi B. She came from the audience to accept her Moon Person. It took a minute. Her dress train was difficult. “I am so happy you know to receive this award.” She talked about receiving shade when she was pregnant, people telling her she would ruin her career. She said, “But I did it, had the baby and still winning awards.”
DJ Khalid introduced Travis Scott who started his performance with Look Mom I Can Fly from his number one album and quickly went to a medley of music with a social statement.
The next award was Best Collaboration and the MVA went to Jennifer Lopez, DJ Khalid and Cardi B for Dinero.
Juice WRLD, Lucid Dreams performed I Won’t Let You Forget Me.
The Video with a Message Award went to Childish Gambino for This Is America. Donald Glover was not there, but the video choreographer Sherrie Silver accepted the trophy in his honor.
Aretha Franklin Remembered
The Tribute to Aretha Franklin came from Madonna. She told a story about wanting to be a dancer and then going for a singing career. She said she was rejected many times and living in poverty. She went on a dance audition and was asked to sing. She wasn’t prepared, but her favorite album was Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin. She said she would sing, “You make me feel like a natural woman.”
“And the rest was history.”
“None of this could have happened without our Lady of Soul. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, long live the Queen!”
Madonna then presented the nominees for the Video of the Year. The MVA went to Camila Cabello with Young Thug for Havana. Camila bowed down to Madonna when she got to the stage. She thanked family, friends, and fans and ended with, “Honestly I got to give this to Madonna.”
Lauv performed I Like Me Better.
Post Malone and 21Savage performed rockstar.
Steven Tyler and Aerosmith joined Post Malone and performed Dream On. What a combo and Joe Perry smashed a guitar into a smoking speaker. They closed the show rocking out!
Post Malone & Aerosmith, MTV VMAs, uploaded by MTV, subscribe.
Congratulations to all of 2018 MTV VMA winners.
Tanya Hart
Follow me on Twitter at @TanyaHollywood
