On September 11 (local time), the MTV Video Music Awards 2024 (VMAs) officially took place. Lasting 5 hours, the event ended with many memorable moments of recognition.
The VMAs honored Katy Perry with the Video Vanguard Award. The pop star delivered a special 10-minute “throwback” performance of her career, featuring both old and new hits. Katy Perry appeared alongside her actor husband Orlando Bloom, becoming one of the most talked-about figures at this year’s VMAs.
Taylor Swift Makes Music History
The 2024 VMAs was a fierce competition. The music industry has been vibrant over the past year, with big names like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter making significant returns. Taylor Swift dominated, winning 7 moonman trophies. Earlier, she had been nominated in 10 categories, including the most prestigious ones like Video of the Year and Artist of the Year.
Taylor Swift officially surpassed Beyoncé, becoming the artist with the most VMAs in music history. With major wins like Artist of the Year and Video of the Year, Taylor is also the only artist to have won Artist of the Year twice and Video of the Year five times in VMAs history.
After seeing Taylor Swift’s achievements at the 2024 VMAs, fans were left in awe. She carried home multiple moonman trophies with pride, celebrating her 18th year in the industry. Taylor Swift continues to cement her position as the top pop star, unlocking numerous new records.
Additionally, Sabrina Carpenter had a standout year with her series of summer hits. The globally viral song “Espresso” earned her the Song of the Year award, securing the singer a place among the must-watch pop girls of the new generation!
K-pop Battle: Lisa’s Win Over Jungkook Sparks Controversy
This year’s VMAs featured several K-pop nominees. The most prominent were solo stars Lisa (BLACKPINK) and Jungkook (BTS). Fans fiercely competed to secure awards for their idols. Once again, Lisa triumphed, winning the Best Kpop award. The Thai idol set a record as the first solo artist to win the Best Kpop award twice.
However, Lisa’s win sparked heated debates within the BTS and BLACKPINK fan communities. Jungkook’s fans argued that the result was undeserved, considering Jungkook had a record-breaking solo debut, smashing achievements in sales, streams, and international awards. Compared to the impact of “Seven”, BTS’s youngest member’s song, Lisa’s win for Best Kpop left many confused.
Considering that the criteria for this win is by fans’ vote, however, many argued that Lisa completely deserve the win due to her large and hard-working fanbase.
Meanwhile, in the Best Group category, SEVENTEEN defeated NewJeans in the final voting round, highlighting their growing fandom power. This award is especially significant to SEVENTEEN’s fandom, serving as a special gift ahead of member Jeonghan’s enlistment.
LE SSERAFIM was the only girl group to attend the VMAs this year, performing on stage before the main event. The group also took home an award for Push Performance of the Year with “Easy”.
Below is the full 2024 VMAs winners list:
- Video of the Year: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
- Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
- Song of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
- Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
- MTV Push Performance of the Year: LE SSERAFIM – “Easy”
- Best Collaboration: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
- Best Pop: Taylor Swift
- Best Hip-Hop: Eminem – “Houdini”
- Best R&B: SZA – “Snooze”
- Best Alternative: Lenny Kravitz – “Human”
- Best Latin: Anitta – “Mil Veces”
- Best Afrobeats: Tyla – “Water”
- Best Kpop: Lisa – “Rockstar”
- – Video for Good (Video with the most meaningful message): Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For?” (From The Motion Picture “Barbie”)
- Best Direction: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
- Best Cinematography: Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends” (Wait for Your Love)
- Best Editing: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”
- Best Choreography: Dua Lipa – “Houdini”
- Best Group: SEVENTEEN