By Alexa Grill
The MTV Video Music Awards is something that I look forward to watching each summer and is, by far, my favorite awards show of the year. From the vibrant hosts to the stellar performances, the VMAs never fail to entertain. This year, the show took place on August 28th at a venue close to home, the one and only Madison Square Garden.
Rihanna had the spotlight the whole night as she performed four separate times, each performance being comprised of a medley of her most popular hits. Since each act was better than the last, it was hard to choose a favorite. Rihanna, always one to please the crowd with intricate dance routines and funky costumes, deservingly won the most significant award of the night: the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award. Also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, the people who receive this are honored not only for their music, but also for having a large impact on MTV culture. Drake, one of Rihanna’s closest friends, presented her with the award and confessed his ongoing love for her that began when he was 22. You could only imagine how confusing this statement was to fans and the press, as their “just friend” status was already very questionable.
Even though the VMAs is being referred to as an “extended Rihanna concert,” Beyonce had a successful night as well. Overall, she won eight awards, some of which include Video of the Year for “Formation,” Best Female Video for “Hold Up,” Best Pop Video for “Formation,” and Best Choreography for “Formation.” In addition, she gave a fifteen minute long performance that was truly incredible. As a huge Beyonce fan myself, my opinion may be biased, but this performance was definitely one for the books!
Some other notable performances of the night were collaborations by Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears and G-Eazy, and the Chainsmokers and Halsey. Ariana and Nicki debuted their new song “Side to Side,” and Ariana rode a spin bike during the performance. That is definitely something different and entertaining! Britney made her return to the VMA stage, and it was clear that she was happy to be back. The Chainsmokers and Halsey rocked their performance of their hit summer song “Closer.”
After much anticipation, the 2016 VMAs certainly did not disappoint. The performances were very fun and exciting, and the awards given out were well deserved. This show definitely ended the summer with a bang!
Photo courtesy of mtv.com
