The 2019 MTV Video Music Awards saw some great music and performances being celebrated Monday night in New Jersey. The show, hosted by actor and comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, opened with a performance by Taylor Swift.
Missy Elliot, who bagged the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, rocked the stage with her performance where she delivered a medley of he songs. “I’ve worked diligently for over two decades and I never thought I would be standing up here receiving this award,” Elliott said at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey.
Swift won the top prize—video of the year — for 'You Need to Calm Down.' The video for “You Need to Calm Down,” a song in which Swift calls out homophobes and her own haters, featured a number of famous faces, including Ellen DeGeneres, Laverne Cox, RuPaul and the cast of “Queer Eye.” The video finishes with the words: “Let’s show our pride by demanding that, on a national level, our laws truly treat all of our citizens equally.” And before the video’s release, Swift announced that she supported the Equality Act.
Ariana Grande was declared artist of the year, and Cardi B' 'Money' won best hip hop video. Billie Eilish won the award for best new artist. The singer, who is currently, in Russia on tour, said in a video message: "First off, I just want to say that the VMAs have been something I've wanted to go to and be a part of for pretty much my whole life. Unfortunately I'm on tour right now, which breaks my heart. But videos and visuals have been one of the top priorities for me my whole life, so it feels really, really good to be recognized for that."
Full list of winners
Video of the year
Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down”/Republic Records
Artist of the year
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Song of the year
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)”/Columbia Records
Best new artist
Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records
Best collaboration
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita”/Island Records
Push artist of the year
Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records
Best pop
Jonas Brothers – “Sucker”/Republic Records
Best hip hop
Cardi B – “Money”/Atlantic Records
Best r&b
Normani ft. 6lack – “Waves” – Keep Cool/RCA Records
Best k-pop
BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv”/Columbia Records
Best latin
Rosalía & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura”/Columbia Records
Best dance
The Chainsmokers ft. Bebe Rexha – “Call You Mine” – Disruptor/Columbia Records
Best rock
Panic! At The Disco – “High Hopes”/Elektra Music Group
Video for good
Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down”/Republic Records
Song of summer
Ariana Grande, Social House – “Boyfriend”
Best group
BTS
Best editing
Billie Eilish – “bad guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Editing by Billie Eilish
Best art direction
Ariana Grande – “7 Rings”/Republic Records – Art Direction by John Richoux
Best power anthem
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign “Hot Girl Summer”
Best direction
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)”/Columbia Records – Directed by Calmatic
Best visual effects
Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!”/Republic Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier & Lucas Salton for BUF VFX
Best choreography
Rosalía & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura”/ Columbia Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna
Best cinematography
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita”/Island Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham
Video vanguard award
Missy Elliott
-with inputs from AP
