The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) is an annual award show that honors the best in music of the previous year.
This year, MTV announced its collaboration with the non-profit organization, 9/11 Day, for a week of activities leading up to the VMAs to promote awareness and positive action on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, which is the day before the ceremony. On August 1, MTV revealed its redesign of the Moon Man award, which winners receive. The new statue has green vines and flowers, which represent "inclusivity and diversity marked by the historical, environmental and nature relevance of the botanicals." It was commissioned in honor of the music network's 40th anniversary.
Voting is now open in most categories on their website, with others being voted on by professionals. So make sure to vote if you want your favorites to win. Here's what you should know about this year's VMAs.
10 Where/When The VMAs Take Place
Be sure to clear your calendars because the awards are happening very soon! They will take place on Sunday, September 12 at 8 p.m. eastern, a mere two weeks later than last year's show. The award show is returning to The Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York, in front of a live audience once again. They are returning to a single live venue. In a press release, MTV said, "Thanks to increased safety measures, the 2021 show is looking to center live entertainment once again, just as concerts return throughout the rest of the United States." They will implement the best practices with health and safety as their number one priority.
9 Who's Hosting?
Why don't you Say So? Doja Cat is hosting this year's VMA Awards. Even though this is her first time hosting the awards, she is no stranger to the show. Last year, Doja Cat performed her hits and won Best New Artist. It took a long time for the network to announce a host, leading people to believe there wouldn't be any. They have gone hostless seven times in the past. Last year, Keke Palmer hosted. We can't wait to see how Doja Cat does. Fans are very excited to see her host.
She is also performing this year and is nominated five times including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year.
8 Who's Nominated For The VMAs?
If we listed everyone who was nominated, we would be here forever, but here are some of the important ones to know. Justin Bieber leads the pack with seven nominations, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Best Pop. Megan Thee Stallion is not too far behind with six nominations, mostly for "WAP," her collaboration with Cardi B. Coming in right behind them with five nominations are VMA veterans Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Drake and BTS and newcomers Olivia Rodrigo and Giveon.
Other notable nominees include Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, H.E.R and more.
7 Who's Performing At The VMAs?
Live performances are back again and that means all of your favorite artists will be performing at this year's awards. Tune in to see Shawn Mendes perform his new single, "Summer of Love." His girlfriend will also perform her latest single "Don't Go Yet." Olivia Rodrigo will make her VMA debut while performing her hits. Twenty One Pilots is set to sing "Saturday." Chloe of Chloe and Halle will perform "Have Mercy," her first solo single. Lorde, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Nas X and Kacey Musgraves are also performing with other surprise singers thrown in.
6 Global Icon Award
Not only does the VMAs have numerous categories to vote on but they usually have a few special awards that are given every year. This year, MTV is giving out a new award called the US Global Icon Award and it will be awarded to The Foo Fighters, who will perform a medley of their greatest hits. The Global Icon Award is being given to the band because their “unparalleled career and continued impact and influence has maintained a unique level of global success in music and beyond," according to MTV. They are also up for three other awards- Best Rock, Best Choreography and Best Cinematography.
The Global Icon Award "celebrates an artist/band whose unparalleled career and continued impact and influence has maintained a unique level of global success in music and beyond. The VMAs will honor the global icon who has left an indelible mark on the musical landscape and continues to influence, inspire, and evolve," according to a press release. This is the first time it is being given out in the US, having originated at the EMAs.
5 How It's Different From Last Year's Awards
Last year, the awards took place over several venues, inside and out and had a remote audience. This year, a live audience will be present and will be in one venue, inside. Many artists last year appeared remotely and it was the first VMAs to be broadcasted on the CW. There were many pre-show performances and masks were worn to stay as safe as possible. This year, many safety precautions and testing will take place to make sure no one gets sick.
4 How To Vote For The VMAs
Voting is now open! You can vote on MTV.com and on the MTV app. You can only vote once a day, 10 votes per category. However, if you vote during the power hour every day (1p.m. est), you can vote for your favorites 20 times per category. You have to sign in to vote for the categories including Song of the Year, Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Video for Good and more. Best Group and Song of the Summer nominees have not yet been announced, so stay tuned for them.
3 How To Watch The VMAs This Year
You can watch the show live on September 12 at 8 p.m. on MTV and all ViacomCBS networks- MTV2, VH1, Comedy Central and The CW. But if you do not have access to a TV at the moment you can stream it on the MTV app or at vma.mtv.com. The show will also be available to watch on streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu (Live), Sling TV and fuboTV.
2 Professional Categories
Along with the categories fans vote on, there are professional categories, which are non-voteable categories including Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Choreography and more. These categories include many of the previously mentioned nominees and are voted on by the network. However, they are just as important.
1 Video Vanguard Award
The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award is a special award, like the Global Icon, of merit given to recording artists at the award show. It is also called the Video Vanguard Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. It is presented by MTV for "outstanding contributions" and "profound impact" on music video and popular culture. Instead of the silver moon man, recipients of the Vanguard Award get a gold-plated moon man. This years recipient has not yet been announced. No award was given out last year, but the 2019 winner was Missy Elliot.