Less prestigious than the Grammys, but certainly more outrageous, the MTV Video Music Awards, or the VMAs, are the perfect venue for the world’s most sought-after musicians and celebrities to come together, let loose, and give us something buzzworthy to talk about. This year’s show is set to air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, August 24 at 9 p.m. EST.
The VMA stage is a safe haven where stars feel comfortable stirring the pot and taking a few risks. The award show is a bombastic melting pot of superstar egos, booty- and eye-popping performances, and memorable and sometimes uninvited guest appearances. Let’s flashback to Kanye’s intoxicatingly bad judgement call and Taylor Swift’s innocent glare of disbelief.
This year’s show has big shoes to fill, but that’s nothing new. Each year the show proves more and more unpredictable. Beyonce is set to perform and will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, one of the more meaningful awards of the evening.
According to MTV, the award is presented to “exemplary musicians who have made an incredible and long-standing impact on pop culture,” a category Queen Bey reigns supreme in. And she’s in good company with fellow recipients including, Beastie Boys, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and the King of Pop. Bey is up for eight Moonmen on the night.
Newcomer Iggy Azalea racked up seven nominations and will be taking the stage with Rita Ora to perform “Black Widow.” Despite a nasty fall during the performance of her hit single “Fancy” during the 2014 MTV VMA benefit concert on August 22, Iggy and Rita are promising a “fierce” and “mysterious” performance, complete with serious sequins.
Powerhouse Nicki Minaj is one of the most anticipated performers on the bill with her hit “Anaconda,” along with “She Came To Give It To You” with Usher, and “Bang Bang” to open the show with fellow belters Jesse J and Ariana Grande. Many are looking to Ms. Minaj to outdo Miley Cyrus’ outlandish, foam-thrusting antics from last year’s show. After hearing one of Nicki’s dancers was bit by a snake during Friday’s rehearsal for the award show, we don’t know what to expect. Luckily, the dancer is OK.
But Nicki’s triple threat and Beyonce’s praise are not to take away from the fruitful assortment of artists also taking the stage Sunday night. Taylor Swift is set to debut her new pop-fetti song “Shake It Off.”Ariana Grande and Zedd, Maroon 5, Sam Smith, Usher and 5 Seconds to Summer are also taking the stage, with Charli XCX and Fifth Harmony kicking off the pregame.
