Taylor Swift took home the biggest prize of the night at Monday’s MTV Video Music Awards.
She won video of the year for coolly dealing with the haters in You Need to Calm Down, from her new album Lover.
There were also gongs for Missy Elliott, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, plus pop’s hottest new couple, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello.
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus picked up trophies too, while Miley Cyrus addressed her marriage in a new song.
Here are some of the more talked-about moments and performances – as well as the biggest fail – from the event in New Jersey.
1. Taylor Swift calls for LGBT equality while debuting new songs
Pop fans were treated to the arrival of TSwift’s “upbeat but baggy” new album Lover on Friday, and she gave a debut live acoustic performance of its title track at the VMAs.
Before that, though, the 29-year-old kicked off proceedings with a rainbow-themed rendition of You Need To Calm Down, which saw her joined by some of the video’s stars.
The video criticised homophobia and featured cameos from high-profile LGBT celebrities. It also endorsed the proposed Equality Act, which would enshrine into law protections for the LGBT community in the US.
Accepting the award on stage, surrounded by the cast of the video, Swift appeared to aim a dig at US President Donald Trump.
She noted that the Equality Act petition, which was boosted by the video, had now attracted far more signatures than is required to receive a response from the White House. She then tapped an imaginary watch, suggesting the time had come for action.
The song also won the Video for Good award, and one of the its co-stars Trinity Kardashian Bonnet – aka Josh Jones – revealed Swift had insisted they each received moon person trophies for their efforts.
Confirming, it seems, that these awards are not actually decided on the night. Who knew?
Bonnet, who plays Cardi B, even got a hug off the real Cardi B at the bash too. Cardi herself took home the award for best hip-hop.
2. But John Travolta gives an award to the wrong Taylor Swift
It wouldn’t be an award ceremony without a bit of drama, and that came in the form of fleet-footed actor John Travolta appearing to accidentally hand the award for best video to Jade Jolie – who was dressed in drag as Swift.
Jolie competed in the fifth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race and seemed to have Travolta in a spin.
No doubt Jolie was delighted to have carried off her impersonation so well.
is no stranger to an awards do gaffe, having managed to call frozen star Idina Menzel “Adele Dazeem” at the 2014 Oscars, and so he wisely asked his co-presenter Queen Latifah to read out the winner’s name this time to avoid any such fail.
3. Missy Elliott reinstates Michael Jackson’s name to her Vanguard Award
Missy Elliott performed a medley of her biggest hits (including Lose Control, Work It and Pass That Dutch) before being honoured with the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award in recognition of her influence.
The 48-year-old hip-hop star was introduced to the stage by Cardi B, who declared that “nobody deserves to be in the video vanguard more than Missy”.
An emotional Elliott said she was “humbled” to win the award, which has previously gone to artists such as Beyonce, David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez and George Michael.
The prize was named in honour of Jackson in 1991. But the channel’s coverage of this year’s event seemed to leave the controversial singer’s name off the award.
Elliott, however, did not get that memo. “I promised I wouldn’t cry this time because I cry at every awards,” she said, “But this Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award means so much to me.”
4. Miley Cyrus addresses her marriage break-up in emotional new song
Surprise performer Miley Cyrus turned up the heat in the room when she appeared to sing about her separation from husband Liam Hemsworth in new single Slide Away (No, not the Oasis or Verve tracks).
Australian actor Hemsworth filed for divorce earlier this month, less than a year after the longstanding couple tied the knot.
The 26-year-old’s performance aired in black-and-white, with the new song containing the lyrics: “Baby, we were found, but now we’re lost, so it’s time to let it go.”
Cyrus’ parents, Billy Ray and Tish, were in the audience and applauded as their daughter left the stage, and her performance seemed to go down well online too.
5. Normani steals the show (shortly followed by Lizzo’s bum cheeks)
Despite all the politics, mix-ups and new music, most people around the digital water cooler seemed to be in awe of Normani’s performance.
The former Fifth Harmony singer graced the VMAs stage as a solo artist for the first time, and showcased some impressive vocals and twerk-tastic dance moves.
It took the 23-year-old’s incredible show, which began inside a basketball hoop, to beat Lizzo performing Truth Hurts and Good As Hell – in front of a giant pair of inflatable buttocks – as the most talked-about moment.
6. Camila and Shawn get romantic
Finally, Normani’s old bandmate Camila Cabello shared best collaboration with Shawn Mendes for Senorita, and teased fans with an intense performance – coming inches away from an on-stage snog.
2019 MTV VMAs – selected winners
- Video of the year – Taylor Swift, You Need to Calm Down
- Artist of the year – Ariana Grande
- Song of the year – Lil Nas X ft Billy Ray Cyrus, Old Town Road (Remix)
- Best new artist – Billie Eilish
- Best collaboration – Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, Senorita
- Push artist of the year – Billie Eilish
- Best pop – Jonas Brothers, Sucker
- Best hip-hop – Cardi B, Money
- Best R&B video – Normani ft 6lack, Waves
- Best K-pop – BTS ft Halsey, Boy With Luv
- Best Latin – Rosalia and J Balvin ft El Guincho, Con Altura
- Best rock – Panic! At The Disco, High Hopes
- Video for good – Taylor Swift, You Need To Calm Down
- Best direction – Lil Nas X ft Billy Ray Cyrus, Old Town Road (Remix)
- Best group – BTS
- Best power anthem – Megan Thee Stallion ft Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla Sign, Hot Girl Summer
- Song of the summer – Ariana Grande & Social House, Boyfriend
- Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award – Missy Elliott
