The 10 Best Moments from the 2024 MTV VMAs

Flavor Flav Gifts Jordan Chiles a Bronze Clock and Olympic Prize Money

Outspoken Team USA fan Flavor Flav hit the stage with Olympian Jordan Chiles to present the first award of the night — for best collaboration — and while Taylor Swift and Post Malone took home the Moon Person, Chiles was offered a prize of her own. 

In response to the news that Chiles had been stripped of her gymnastics bronze medal, the 65-year-old Public Enemy rapper presented Chiles with a bronze clock necklace — a gift he had previously teased on social media. In addition to the new accessory, he also said he would pay her the cash award she would have been awarded as a third-place finisher.

"And guess what else, too," Flav said on stage. "I got your prize money ... I just wanted to surprise you with that. I didn't want to say nothing to you backstage."

"But Jordan, you did your thing," he told her. "Congratulations. You deserve everything."

Taylor Swift and Post Malone Share a Sweet Acceptance Speech

Taylor Swift started off this year’s VMAs strong, taking home the first Moon Person of the night for best collaboration for The Tortured Poets Department single, "Fortnight” with Post Malone. 

“There is a very clear reason why Post Malone is everyone in music's favorite person to collaborate with," Swift began, before addressing the musician: "It is because you are so ridiculously talented. You are so versatile, and you're the most down-to-earth person."

Malone complimented Swift in return, sharing that though he was at "an absolute loss for words,” she is “one of the most kind and talented people I've ever had the honor of knowing."

Megan Thee Stallion Pays Homage to an Iconic Britney Spears VMAs Outfit

Though Megan Thee Stallion sported various ensembles throughout her night as host, one outfit in particular was especially noteworthy as it paid tribute to one of Britney Spears’ iconic “I’m a Slave 4 U” performance at the 2001 VMAs. Megan emulated the look to a tee complete with a green bra top and a yellow live snake — though she was decidedly less thrilled about her serpentine encounter and called for it to be removed halfway through her introduction.  

Megan wasn’t the only one to shout-out Spears in style: Tate McRae’s Roberto Cavalli dress worn over Fleur du Mal lingerie echoed the navy minidress that Spears wore on the red carpet in 2001 ...

Sabrina Carpenter References Britney Spears and Kisses an Alien in Medley

...and Sabrina Carpenter’s medley performance not only featured an out-of-this-world set complete with astronauts and an alien, during her transition from "Please Please Please" to “Taste” the spoken interlude from Spears' "Oops!…I Did It Again" played in the background.

And if that weren't enough to get fans buzzing, Carpenter also planted one on the alien before launching into "Espresso."

Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry Kiss Before Her Video Vanguard Speech

When it was time for Katy Perry to take the stage to perform as the recipient of this year’s Video Vanguard Award, she had a very special someone present her to the audience. 

"You fell in love with her as Katy Perry. I feel in love with her as Katheryn Hudson," Perry’s longtime partner Orlando Bloom began his speech. 

"You know her as a global superstar who brings love, light and her unique sense of humor to every song she writes and music video she creates,” he continued. “I know her as a mother, as a partner, who brings that same love and joy to our family."

Following Bloom's sweet introduction, Perry performed a medley of her biggest hits. At the conclusion, she was met with Bloom, a kiss and her brand-new trophy.

Chappell Roan Sets the Stage on Fire in Debut Awards Show Performance

In her highly anticipated awards show debut, Chappell Roan didn’t disappoint. On the red carpet, she teased the medieval theme of her performance with a cape, a sword and an accompanying knight. Then for the performance, introduced by one of her drag queen role models, Sasha Colby, the “Hot to Go!” singer began by shooting a flaming crossbow at the castle set. Wearing a suit of armor, Roan delivered a vocally impressive rendition of her song “Good Luck, Babe!” while dancing with sword-wielding knights. 

As she concluded the song kneeling at the front of the stage, the crowd in the UBS Arena erupted in cheers.

Halsey Rocks Out in a Garage

After pulling up to the red carpet in the same Versace dress that Elizabeth Hurley wore to the VMAs in 1996, Halsey continued the throwback theme with an '00s-inflected performance of her latest single “Ego.” The singer-songwriter rocked out with her electric guitar in a garage set with her band, which included Måneskin bassist Victoria De Angelis. Taking the audience back to pop rock’s peak in the early-aughts, she wore a sleeveless, collared shirt and a black tie with cutoff jeans and Converse.

Chappell Roan Gives a Heartfelt Best New Artist Acceptance Speech

Roan claimed her first Moon Person trophy with a best new artist win against Gracie Abrams and Tyla. Accepting the statuette in her third look of the night, a chainmail dress, Roan began her speech with a shoutout to MTV, her record label, friends and family. She then expressed gratitude to drag artists, queer and trans people who “fuel pop” and gay people that “dedicate my songs to someone they love — or hate.”

“Thank you to the people who are fans, who listen to me, who hear me When I share my joy and my fears,” continued the singer, who recently expressed her anxieties about fame.

She concluded, “And for all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you. I understand you, because I'm one of you, and don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't be exactly who you want to be.”

LL Cool J Performs a Nostalgic Medley of Hip-Hop Hits

2024 not only marked the 40th anniversary of the VMAs, it also marked four decades since Def Jam Recordings first began. As an early member of the label, it was only fitting that LL Cool J  perform to commemorate the milestone anniversary. Joined by Flavor Flav and Chuck D of Public Enemy, the rapper and actor performed a medley of hits like “Mama Said Knock You Out” and “Bring the Noise.”

Taylor Swift Shouts Out Boyfriend Travis Kelce in Her Acceptance Speech

Fans were over the moon (person) when Taylor Swift gave boyfriend Travis Kelce a shout-out in her acceptance speech for Video of the Year, which she won for "Fortnight."

“The thing is that this video — it seems very sad when you watch it, but it actually was like the most fun video to make," she said. "Something that I'll always remember is that when I would finish a take and I'd say ‘cut’ and we'd be done with that take, I would always just hear like someone cheering from across the studio where we were shooting it, and that one person was my boyfriend, Travis."

"Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic," she added of the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. "So, I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot, because I’ll always remember that."