The MTV Video Music Awards are know for hitting the headlines and not just for the star-studded guestlist, but for the controversial antics that come hand-in-hand with the bash
The MTV Video Music Awards has seen it’s fair share on controversies over the years(Image: Kevin Kane/WireImage.com)
When it comes to bringing the drama, the MTV Video Music Awards rarely disappoint, with the event having plenty of controversial moments over the years.
When you pack some of the world’s most famous faces into a small space, it comes as no surprise that sometimes there are tantrums, arguments, confessions of love, and even a fair share of nudity.
Since the awards first took place in 1984, the guests and presenters have managed to make headlines for many reasons.
From THAT kiss to a dress made of raw meat, here we take a look at some of the wildest MTV Video Music Award moments to date…
Kanye West vs Taylor Swift
Kanye berated Taylor as she attempted to accept her award(Image: Getty Images)
One of the most iconic bust-ups at the VMAs came in 2009, when Taylor Swift fended off her rivals Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Pink, and Beyoncé to win the award for Best Female Video.
Kanye was not happy with the decision and decided to get on stage and interrupt Taylor’s speech to voice his support for Bey.
The awkward moment saw both Taylor and Beyoncé left squirming. Kanye was ultimately thrown out of the event, and Beyonce appeared to try to make amends on his behalf later in the night when she won the award for Video of the Year and brought Taylor on stage during her acceptance speech.
Lady Gaga’s meat dress
Lady Gaga left animal rights campaigners outraged with her meat dress(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga was the hot topic for weeks after she decided to attend the 2010 VMAs wearing a dress crafted from raw beef.
The look—designed by Franc Fernandez—saw her slammed by animal rights groups and generally frowned upon by pretty much everyone for the gross move.
As she took to the stage to accept her award for Video of the Year for Bad Romance from presenter Cher, she joked, “I never thought I’d be asking Cher to hold my meat purse.”
Her dress went on to be preserved and included in many exhibits, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Diana Ross grabbing Lil Kim’s breast
Diana caused controversy by jiggling Lil Kim’s boob(Image: MTV)
In 1999, Lil Kim was presenting the VMA for Best Hip-Hop Video alongside Diana Ross and Mary J. Blige, dressed in a purple floral jumpsuit with a seashell pastie placed precariously over her boob.
The trio headed to the podium to present the award, and Diana hugged Kim.
It seemed that temptation then got the better of her as she reached out and jiggled Kim’s breast and joked, “I think it’s the new Supremes.”
The incident was totally unplanned and caused a rake of controversy over the issues of consent and body image.
While Mary was quoted as saying she was angry and embarrassed for Kim, Kim appeared to be okay with what had transpired and told MTV in 2013 she would want Diana to play her mom in a movie of her life.
In 2023, while speaking to XXL about her career highlights, Kim said, “I think when Diana Ross touched my boob. That was everything.”
Miley Cyrus twerking on Robin Thicke
Miley shed her wholesome image with her x-rated performance(Image: FilmMagic, Inc)
Miley Cyrus had a wholesome girl-next-door image in the wake of being a child star, which she decided to trash when it came to the 2013 VMAs.
She had released her album Bangerz with the lead single We Can’t Stop, featuring her poked-out tongue on the artwork, to ring in the new era of sass-pot Miley.
She cemented that newfound image by sticking her tongue out at every opportunity all night, but the real controversy came when she did it while twerking on Robin Thicke’s groin while on stage.
The move upset everyone from viewers to her then fiancé Liam Hemsworth, with the aftermath seeing her slammed for everything from being overtly sexualized as well as racism, sexism, and cultural appropriation.
Britney Spears, Madonna and Christina Aguilera and that kiss
Britney and Madonna’s kiss set tongues wagging(Image: Youtube)
In arguably the most infamous VMAs moment ever, in 2003, pop icons Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera took to the stage to perform a medley of hits.
Britney and Christina even wore wedding dresses in the tribute to Madonna’s Like A Virgin.
The “shock” moment was actually scripted for the women to quickly peck one another.
However, in her recent memoir The Woman In Me, Britney confessed that she had decided to “just go for it,” and kiss Madonna passionately instead.
The performance – and the kiss – made headlines worldwide and was slammed for the X-rated content.
Former MTV president Van Toffler later said, “You wanted to make it fun and semi-chaotic. That’s what we did.”
Drake confesses his undying love for Rihanna
Drake left Rihanna feeling totally awkward(Image: Youtube)
Drake is known for not always being the most media-savvy character, a trait he cemented in 2016 when he presented Rihanna with the VMA Video Vanguard Award.
Rather than discussing her career and achievements in music, Drake took the opportunity to discuss his friendship with and enduring love for RiRi.
He was even seen leaning in to kiss her as she visibly swerved the move.
He was vastly criticized at the time for making her big moment all about him, and in 2018, she told Vogue that she had been left feeling uncomfortable by his display and that they were never that close and were no longer friends.
Prince bares all
Prince appeared to bare his buttocks on stage(Image: Youtube)
In 1991, the VMAs were set alight by Prince, who performed his hit song Gett Off by wearing what appeared to be a butt-baring outfit.
The high-waisted pants looked like they had the butt cheeks cut out of them entirely which was something of a surprise for viewers.
However, his stylist and costume designer, Stacia Lang, later claimed it had just been a stunt and she had used fabric to create the illusion of Prince’s bare buttocks.
At the time, it was quite the scandal to flash your butt on stage, and it caused total uproar with the Chicago Tribune even reporting that “the camera seemed embarrassed.”
Stacia told the press that backstage at the event, “George Michael was talking.
I think so was Cindy Crawford. It was crazy because people just couldn’t believe that that happened.”
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