Taylor Swift wonvideo of the year and Ariana Grande was voted artist of the year in agirl-powered MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) show on Monday, while rapper Cardi Bwon best hip-hop video and newcomer Lizzo celebrated large women. Alternativepop singer Billie Eilish, 17, beat Lizzo to be named both best new artist andbest breakthrough or PUSH artist in the fan-voted awards show.
Another newcomer,Lil Nas X, took home the song of the year award for "Old Town Road,"his country rap collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus that ruled for a record 19consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard singles chart. Swift and Grandewent into the ceremony in Newark, New Jersey, with a leading 10 nominationseach. With Grande on tour in Europe and absent from Monday's show, Swiftprovided the opening act with a rainbow-themed performance of her pro-LGBTQsingle "You Need to Calm Down" from her new, and alreadybest-selling, album "Lover."
Accepting thevideo of the year award, Swift said that since the VMAs are chosen by fans,"It means that you want a world where we are all treated equally under thelaw." "You Need to Calm Down" also brought thecountry-turned-pop singer the "video for good" statuette for songsthat have raised awareness. Cardi B beat out a male-dominated lineup to winbest hip-hop video for "Money," and ended a delighted acceptancespeech saying: "Thank you, Jesus."
The outspokenrapper was also on hand to present Missy Elliott with this year's VanguardAward for career achievement, calling her "a champion for women who wantto be doing their own thing." Best new artist contender Lizzo, enjoying abreakout year, performed her hits "Truth Hurts" and "Good asHell" in a yellow sequined bodysuit, accompanied by plus-size dancers, ina message for body positivity. Mendes and Camila Cabello stoked reports thatthey are dating with a steamy live version of their romantic duet"Senorita," which reached No. 1 this week on the Billboard singlescharts. The duet won the statuette for best collaboration.
Korean boy bandBTS won for best K-Pop and best group, while the recently reunited JonasBrothers, won best pop song for "Sucker" and paid tribute to theirNew Jersey roots with a performance from Asbury Park. Monday's VMAs had none ofthe stunts and draw-dropping moments that have become milestones in popculture, including Madonna's onstage smooch with Britney Spears in 2003, andKanye West storming the stage in 2009 to tell Swift that her award should havegone to Beyonce.-Reuters