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VMAs 2021: See who won and the night’s best performances

13.09.2021

By Deanna Cheah

VMAs 2021: See who won and the night’s best performances

This year’s MTV VMAs (Video Music Awards) was sparkling, shimmering and glittering! Aired live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and hosted by Doja Cat, we have all the juicy takes from the night—starting off with best performances. While each music artist stood out for their individuality, hot pink seemed to be the unofficial colour theme. From the dazzling hot-pink outfits worn by Lil Nas X’s dancers, Camilla Cabello’s ruffled pink dress to Olivia Rodrigo’s slinky red carpet outfit and very high school sweetheart-esque stage. We can’t help but replay some of these highlights:

Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Good 4 U’

With her debut album, Sour, shaking up the music industry, Olivia Rodrigo’s first VMA was also a huge success—from taking the stage as one of the first performers with ‘Good 4 U’ to the three speeches she gave, one for each win (Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and Push Performance of the Year). One of these speeches she dedicated to aspiring singer-songwriters: “To the girls writing songs on their bedroom floor, there are a lot of people who will try to dim your light, but speaking your mind and sharing your heart are the most beautiful things in the world.” Hands up if, like us, the emotions from your high school days came rushing back to you during her performance.

Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow’s ‘Industry Baby’ and ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’

Lil Nas X made a banging entrance with a marching band for ‘Industry Baby’ featuring Jack Harlow, with a very brief—quite literally—transition to the outro of ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’. This performance brought to life the illusions, colours and characters of ‘Montero’ and ‘Industry Baby’ against a backdrop of the (fictional) Montero State Prison.

Doja Cat’s ‘Been Like This’ and ‘You Right’

We travelled to a whole other world with a soulful performance from the host of the VMAs. Doja Cat gave it her all, from the choreography to powerful vocals, when performing songs from her album Planet Her—and all while being suspended in mid-air.

READ: 11 Fabulous moments from the VMAs 2021 red carpet

Camila Cabello’s ‘Don’t Go Yet’

A tribute to her Latin roots, Camila Cabello’s ‘Don’t Go Yet’ started off with a vintage black-and-white colour scheme before turning hot pink to match her fiery performance. At the very end, she introduced her beau, Shawn Mendes, who took over to perform ‘Summer Of Love’.

View the complete winners’ list below:

Video of the year: Lil Nas X — ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’

Artist of the year: Justin Bieber

Song of the year: Olivia Rodrigo — ‘Driver’s License’

Best new artist: Olivia Rodrigo

Push performance of the year: Olivia Rodrigo — ‘Driver’s License’

Best collaboration: Doja Cat ft. SZA — ‘Kiss Me More’

Best pop: Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon — ‘Peaches’

Best hip-hop: Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & M.I.A — ‘Franchise’

Best rock: John Mayer — ‘Last Train Home’

Best alternative: Machine Gun Kelly ft. Blackbear — ‘My Ex’s Best Friend’

Best Latin: Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA — ‘Lo Vas A Olvidar’

Best R&B: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic — ‘Leave the Door Open’

Best K-POP: BTS — ‘Butter’

Video for good: Billie Eilish — ‘Your Power’

Best direction: Lil Nas X — ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ — Directed by: Lil Nas X and Tanu Muino

Best cinematography: Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid — ‘Brown Skin Girl’ — Cinematography by: Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammad Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzales, Ryan Helfant

Best art direction: Saweetie ft. Doja Cat — ‘Best Friend’ — Art direction by: Art Haynes

Best visual effects: Lil Nas X — ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ — Visual effects by: Mathematic

Best choreography: Harry Styles — ‘Treat People With Kindness’ — Choreography by: Paul Roberts

Best editing: Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic — ‘Leave the Door Open’ — Editing by: Troy Charbonnet

Group of the year: BTS

Song of the summer: BTS — ‘Butter’

READ: The most unforgettable fashion moments from the VMAs 2021

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