Your 2024 MTV Video Music Award Debrief
Everyone’s talking about it, so we’re going to too.
by Chloe Rudnick ★ October 8, 2024
design: Finley Banks
25 awards later, this year’s VMAs broke the internet. Filled with iconic guests, performances, and red-carpet outfits, here’s everything you need to know about the VMAS. (Spark note edition, of course.)
Fashion or Fashun
Although the award show doesn’t start until 8:00 p.m., the tone is set at 7:00 p.m. when the red carpet — or in this case, the black carpet — kicks off. It wouldn’t be an award show without a mix of memorable and questionable outfits to go along with it. Artist of the Year nominee Sabrina Carpenter, meanwhile, arrived in a strapless vintage Bob Mackie gown originally worn by Madonna to the 1991 Oscars. Killed it. Katy Perry wore a one-shouldered crop top and floor-length skirt, which looked stunning and chic. Lil Nas X chose a bold pink jumpsuit. It was giving Power Ranger. Taylor Swift walked the carpet in an outfit from Dior’s 2025 unreleased collection leaving the fans to think she was subtly hinting at the release of “Reputation (Taylor’s Version),” but when is she not? The hostess with the most, Megan Thee Stallion chose an eye-catching black gown with a corseted bodice, flaring around the knees. Addison Rae went with a bra and underwear-tutu situation? The bridal-inspired look was certainly an interesting one.
Who Won What
Acknowledging that this year marked the 40th anniversary of the VMA’S, there were subtle hints throughout the show flashing back to prior years' hottest moments. For example, Eminem opened the show by marching in with dozens of lookalikes, just as he did in 2000. Megan Thee Stallion paid homage to Britney Spears's iconic “I’m a Slave 4 U” performance outfit, complete with a real albino python snake sitting atop her shoulders. There have been some changes since last year's ceremony, and this year, the show is being geared more towards performances rather than awards. So much so that several awards were presented to artists while they walked the black carpet. After narrowed down to Chappel Roan, Gracie Abrams, and Teddy Swims, Chappel took home the award for best new artist. Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” won Song of the Year, Benson Boone took home the award for Alternative Video for his song “Beautiful Things,” and Ariana Grande won Best Cinematography for “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” to name a few. Taking home the two most coveted awards of the night, in addition to Artist of the Year, Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for her song “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone. She was the big winner of the night, taking home seven moon-person trophies out of her twelve nominations. With 23 prior wins, this now gives her 30 VMA’S total, making her the most-awarded solo artist in VMA history.
Yet, though you would think these awards were the most talked about things of the night, they weren’t. In Taylor’s case, it wasn’t her outfit potentially resembling the anticipated “reputation (Taylor’s Version)” and it wasn’t the records set. But, it was what she said whilst setting them. For the first time in the public eye, she acknowledged her “boyfriend Travis” (don’t pretend you didn’t watch this clip on TikTok on repeat, we know you did) thanking him for his support on the set of the music video by saying, “everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.” Or, there’s Chappel Roan who began her speech saying “I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspired me. And I dedicate this to queer and trans people that fuel pop all around.” One of those people who inspire her, drag queen Sasha Colby, was left feeling incredibly proud of her mini-me Chappel, as one of the first thing fans ever heard Chappel say in a public appearance was, “I’m your favorite drag queen’s favorite drag queen,” a famous Sasha Colby quote, that can be given the credit for part of the reason Roan stood on that VMA stage.
This Year’s Guest of Honor
Katy Perry became the latest Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award recipient (the VMA’s version of a lifetime achievement award). In addition to accepting her award, she performed a ten-song medley of “Roar” / “Dark Horse” / “I Kissed A Girl” / “Teenage Dream” and more. After this, her partner Orlando Bloom joined her on stage to present her with the award. Though her performance was ten minutes of sheer iconic nostalgia showcasing her evolution as an artist, fans are left wondering if she can keep up with the legacy she created. Her new album “143” comes out this week and she still needs to convince people it’s worth a listen.
Who Sang What
With 16 performances from some of your favorite names in music, there was something for everyone. Artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappel Roan, Lenny Kravitz, Benson Boone, Eminem, LL Cool J, Shawn Mendes, and Halsey are just a few of the many talented people who took the stage. Out of all these power-packed numbers, three took the cake. Sabrina Carpenter’s performance was out of this world. Giving the audience a glimpse into what her upcoming tour might look like, she performed a medley of her hits “Please, Please, Please” / “Taste” / “Espresso”. She entered hanging from the ceiling on a diamond swing mounting on a moon shaped stage surrounded by backup dancers dressed as aliens and astronauts. One of which she made out with, recreating the iconic scene in the “Taste” music video. Benson Boone performed his song “Beautiful Things” in a blue sparkly jumpsuit and Adidas, resembling Harry Styles. He managed to maintain an extremely impressive vocal performance, even while he was doing acrobatics simultaneously, flipping off high surfaces on the stage twice. If you weren’t a Benson Boone stan before, you definitely are now. The people's best new artist Chappel Roan took the stage in medieval battle gear dressed as “Roan of Arc.” Blasting a flaming crossbow through the set to start off her performance of “Good Luck, Babe,” she made it clear why she won the award.
Overall, the 2024 VMA’S were a night not to miss, but if you did, at least you have this. Records were set, awards were won, and songs were sung (and still being talked about). Until next year!