The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have just taken place in New York.
And in honour of this year’s awards ceremony, we’re looking back…
These are the best and worst VMA moments of all time:
Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera kissing
It was the performance that made jaws drop worldwide. At the 2003 VMAs, during the opening number, Madonna kissed Britney Spears AND Christina Aguilera.
Then the cameras cut to Justin Timberlake to show his displeased reaction – at the time, he had just split from Britney. The whole thing was iconic to say the least.
Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift
At the 2009 VMAs, Taylor Swift won Best Female Video for You Belong With Me.
But just as she was about to begin her acceptance speech, Kanye West stormed the stage, declaring Beyoncé had “one of the best videos of all time,” referring to the Single Ladies music video.
The crowd started booing Kanye but poor Taylor thought they were booing her! This moment is undeniably one of the worst things to have happened at the VMAs.
Lady Gaga’s meat dress
When Lady Gaga walked out in a dress made entirely of raw beef at the 2010 VMAs, the world collectively gasped.
Designed by Franc Fernandez, the look was seen as a protest statement about the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
Beyoncé’s pregnancy reveal
Forget a press release – Beyoncé announced her first pregnancy onstage.
After performing Love on Top at the 2011 VMAs, she unbuttoned her blazer and rubbed her stomach, sending the audience (and Twitter) into absolute meltdown.
Miley Cyrus vs. Robin Thicke
Miley Cyrus’ foam finger, Robin Thicke’s striped suit, and a whole lot of twerking – this performance at the 2013 VMAs had everyone talking (and clutching their pearls).
Critics called it messy and uncomfortable, but it marked the moment Miley officially shed her Disney image.
Nicki Minaj calling out Miley Cyrus
After winning Best Hip-Hop Video for Anaconda at the 2015 VMAs, Nicki famously turned to that year’s host – Miley Cyrus – and dropped the now-legendary line: “And now back to this bitch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press; Miley, what’s good?”
The tension was real; for context, Nicki Tweeted prior to the VMAs that she felt Anaconda was snubbed for Video of the Year (it wasn’t nominated).
Taylor Swift (who was nominated that year for Bad Blood) replied, “I’ve done nothing but love & support you. It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot.”
The two continued to bicker until Taylor apologised. “I thought I was being called out. I missed the point, I misunderstood, then misspoke. I’m sorry, Nicki,” she Tweeted.
But days before the VMAs, Miley did a New York Times interview and was asked about Nicki and Taylor’s “feud”.
Flash forward to the ceremony, Nicki opened the show with Taylor and the two hugged after singing together, burying feud rumours.
But clearly Nicki was pressed about Miley’s New York Times comments, hence the “Miley, what’s good?”
Miley was a professional though and simply said, “We’re all in the industry, we all do interviews, and we all know how they manipulate sh*t.”
Britney Spears and the snake
At the 2001 VMAs, Britney Spears performed I’m a Slave 4 U with a real albino python draped over her shoulders.
To this day, it remains one of her most memorable performances.
Sabrina Carpenter kissing an alien
Celebs sure love kissing during VMAs performances…
At the 2024 ceremony, Sabrina Carpenter performed a medley of Please, Please, Please, Taste, and Espresso.
And during the performance, she kissed an alien.
Taylor Swift announcing Midnights
At the 2022 VMAs, Taylor Swift used her acceptance speech for Video of the Year (she won for All Too Well: The Short Film) to drop a bombshell: her tenth studio album, Midnights, was coming that October.
Lil Nas X’s show-stopping performance
Never one to play it safe, Lil Nas X delivered a bold medley of Industry Baby and Montero (Call Me By Your Name) at the 2021 VMAs, complete with a marching band, a kiss with a male dancer, and unapologetic confidence.
It was a statement of queer joy on one of music’s biggest stages.
Watch this year’s VMAs ceremony via Paramount+.
