BROOKYLN—Wow, it appears year after year, the hype for the MTV Video Music Awards builds to a fever pitch. With Lady Gaga opening the show, to Katy Perry closing the ceremony, it was a music show not to be missed. Lady Gaga reigned supreme with her opening number that dazzled the crowd as she sang her new hit “Applause.” The theatrical singer pulled out all the stops for her performance, which included her being engulfed in a nun costume. The expressions on her face were priceless and the ballet theme on the stage was quite unique. She even stripped down to her skivvies for the audience.
Boy band One Direction presented the award for Best Pop Video to Selena Gomez for “Come and Get It.” Gomez was a bit surprised by the win, but she did have a guilty pleasure song this summer. Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke hit the stage together to perform their hits “We Can’t Stop” and “Blurred Lines.” Miley’s set was full of teddy bears and twerking dance moves. It was indeed one of the most shocking performances I’ve ever seen at the MTV VMA’s ever!! Cyrus was all over the place, indeed one of the highlights of the ceremony.
Best Female Video went to Taylor Swift for “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Indeed a catchy tune, and a well deserved award for the country starlet. Rapper Lil’ Kim made an appearance to present the award for Best Hip-Hop Video to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for “Can’t Hold Us Down.”
In one of the worst kept secrets, ‘N Sync reunited on stage to perform a brief medley of their hits, which included the iconic “Bye, Bye, Bye” complete with the dance moves. Justin Timberlake performed a string of his career hits, just before being presented the Michael Jackson Vanguard award. The singer definitely looked a bit out of breathe during the end of his performance. He was quite gracious during his acceptance speech giving kudos to the boy band that put him on the map.
In one of the newest categories at the ceremony, Song of the Summer went to an undeserving One Direction for “Best Song Ever.” I don’t care what people say, that was not the best song of the summer. That award should have gone to Robin Thicke for “Blurred Lines.” It has been number one for nearly the entire summer. In a surprise, Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson joined Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on stage. Finally, a surprise the audience wasn’t aware of.
Austin Mahone took home the award for Artist to Watch. I’m guessing this is the ceremony’s way of eliminating the Best New Artist category which has been around for as long as I can remember. It was a treat to see members of TLC reunite on the stage to introduce rapper Drake. His performance finally brought some excitement to the stage; his energy was quite frenetic as he performed his hit single “Started from the Bottom.”
Best Male Video was awarded to Bruno Mars for “Locked Out of Heaven.” Justin Timberlake took home the award for Video of the Year for “Mirrors,” with Katy Perry closing out the ceremony performing her new hit single “Roar,” with a boxing theme. Personally, I think Katy Perry should have opened the ceremony and Lady Gaga should have closed the show. I found this Video Music Awards to be one of the fastest moving award shows in quite some time. It was almost like they handed out more awards than actual performances like in the past. The star power was lacking a bit at this year’s ceremony compared to those of the past. Here’s hoping the 2014 ceremony is bigger and better.
By LaDale Anderson
