Breaking down the 40th MTV Video Music Awards

The 40th MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) delivered a night full of unforgettable moments on Sept. 11, honouring today’s biggest stars and paying homage to the show’s iconic history.

Held at UBS Arena in New York, the event was packed with electrifying performances, star-studded appearances, and nostalgic throwbacks to the VMAs’ most memorable moments.

Performances from pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, rising star Chappell Roan, rap legend LL Cool J, and the evening’s host, hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion, filled the evening. Carpenter, a major contender for “Song of the Summer” category, had the crowd on their feet, while Megan’s wardrobe change involving a live snake paid tribute to Britney Spears’s 2001 VMAs performance.

The night was peppered with flashbacks to some of the most iconic moments in VMA history, including Madonna’s provocative “Like a Virgin” performance in 1984 and Miley Cyrus’s infamous twerking in 2013.

Eminem opened the show with a medley of hits. Flanked by a sea of Slim Shady lookalikes, he recreated his 2000 performance and racked up two more trophies, bringing his career total to 15 VMAs.

The biggest winner of the night, however, was Taylor Swift, who dominated the show by taking home seven awards including “Video of the Year” for her song “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone.

This win marked her third consecutive VMA in this category, following “Anti-Hero” and “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” in previous years. Swift also claimed the “Artist of the Year” award for the second time in a row, becoming the first artist to win this honour twice.

In her acceptance speeches, she made headlines by referencing the victims of 9/11 and shouting out her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, in a rare public acknowledgement.

Swift’s influence wasn’t limited to the stage — her Instagram endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris the previous night sent shockwaves, driving hundreds of thousands to visit Vote.Gov.

Chappell Roan (or should I say Chappell Roan of Arc), an emerging Midwestern pop star, also made her mark at the VMAs.

Clad in a suit of armour and wielding a lit crossbow, Roan performed her hit “Good Luck, Babe!” amid knights battling in front of a burning castle (Chapel de Rouen?). She later accepted the “Best New Artist” award. In her acceptance speech, she dedicated her win to the drag queens who inspire her and sent a heartfelt message aimed at 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in the Midwest.

Sabrina Carpenter continued her summer reign by winning “Song of the Year” for “Espresso.” Her steamy performance of the hit, which included a bold kiss with a blue alien, had the audience buzzing. She also performed a medley of her singles “Please Please Please” and “Taste” at the awards show.

The show was also sentimental, as Flavor Flav presented gymnast Jordan Chiles with a bronze clock necklace after her Olympic bronze medal was controversially revoked. The gesture was a heartfelt surprise, and Chiles expressed her gratitude, saying the real recognition came from her fans and supporters.

LL Cool J’s tribute to 40 years of Def Jam Recordings had the audience on their feet as he performed alongside Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav and Chuck D, reminding fans of hip hop’s enduring legacy.

Pop star Katy Perry closed out the evening with a 10-minute medley of her greatest hits, performing mid-air and donning butterfly wings before accepting the coveted “Video Vanguard” award. Perry, known for her bold and creative performances, thanked her fans and partner Orlando Bloom in a lighthearted speech, noting the challenges of balancing her career.

The night proved to be a celebration of both today’s chart-topping hits and the timeless moments that make the VMAs an enduring pop culture event.