Tonight, MTV gears up for the 31st annual MTV Video Music Awards and we’re here live-blogging the action. (Even if they might not air many music videos these days.) Slated to perform at this year’s festivities are Beyonce, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and many more. As for the actual awards, singer Beyonce leads with eight nominations; rappers Eminem and Iggy Azalea are close behind with seven nominations.
Before the festivities began, gossip included Beyonce performing all of “Beyonce” in a 15-minute medley and an alleged appearance from 2013 show-stopper (and twerker) Miley Cyrus. Stay tuned here for live updates.
9:00 It all begins with Ariana Grande’s “Break Free.”
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9:02 Nicki Minaj struts her sparkly green dress during “Anaconda” — and then, wait, there’s already some twerking action going on? That was quick.
9:05 Alright, now Rita Ora — who I honestly haven’t heard of prior to today. Well, this is much more PG.
9:08 Hey, Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani. Or should I say Snoop Lion?
9:10 “This year, the ladies are taking over” — Gwen Stefani / “And I ain’t mad. Twerk, twerk.” — Snoop Dogg.
9:12 First award goes to…. Katy Perry! For “Dark Horse.” (FYI: There was a close up of Katy on the audience cam right before she won. Nice foreshadowing, MTV.)
9:14 MTV shows a preview of the “Artist to Watch” right before the first commercial break. Our bet is on Australian pop punk band 5 Seconds of Summer (who began as YouTube celebrities in 2011, by the way.)
9:20 Now, just bopping along to Taylor Swift on my couch in Brooklyn. You know.
9:22 “All kinds of people getting bit by snakes.” — Taylor Swift; “Anaconda” joke number two.
9:29 Audience cam of Katy Perry hangin’ on her phone right next to RiFF Raff.
9:30 Ed Sheeran just beat out John Legend, Pharrell, Sam Smith and Eminem for “Best Male Video” ? Woah.
9:33 Who will win Best pop video? Well I hope it’s not Avicii… or Pharrell.
9:36 Ariana Grande’s “Problem” is the winner. Hey, at least she’s got some class.
9:37 Wait, Kim Kardashian West?
9:38 Alright Sam Smith, you got me swoonin’. Here’s “Stay With Me.” (FYI: Kim Kardashian gave Sam Smith a standing ovation.)
9:45 …Back from a commercial break. Moment of silence for Mike Brown.
9:46 Drake wins a VMA! Twitter chatter: Wiz Khalifa’s “We Dem Boyz” should have won.
9:56 Hey, cast of “Orange is the New Black” presenting. Hope you guys win best TV show of the year. Oh, wait, wrong awards show.
9:58 Usher’s back (in all white). Because MTV is sort of behind the times these days. He sure doesn’t look any older, regardless.
10:00 Alert: Usher slappin’ da bass. Who knew. (Note: he’s still got a swagger onstage, too.)
10:08 Lorde wins Best Rock Video! Uh, because MTV and all the pop charts consider Lorde rock, sure. We’re super glad that Imagine Dragons’ attempt at rock didn’t, though. (Also, Lorde swore. Is she old enough to do that?)
10:15 5 Seconds of Summer are super cute. They’re currently playing “Amnesia,” and I’m alright with them becoming the boy band of 2014. They’ve got some feels goin’ on.
10:22 We were just alerted by Consequence of Sound that Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and Jessie J’s performance of “Anaconda” and “Bang Bang” included a near-problem malfunction, “which saw Minaj clasp her dress for dear life.”
10:26 Retrospective slideshow tribute to Robin Williams definitely a nice touch.
10:30 Jennifer Lopez back on the stage. There might be more skin than dress on J. Lo.
10:32 While Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora rappin’, Lorde has her traditional baffled look and Taylor’s bouncin’ along while watching from the audience. It might be the most GIF-worthy performance of the night.
10:42 Adam Levine (of Maroon Five) throwin’ his heart to the crowd. Even if it’s not doin’ anything new, I’m down for the fact that this is rock music.
10:47 …And video of the year goes to Miley Cyrus. That might have been the weirdest switchover of the night ever, but good one on ya, Miley!
10:52 The girl we’ve been waiting for all night is finally here, guys.
10:56 Beyonce’s so legit that she can recreate her music videos live.
11:00 Well, Beyonce’s swagger is a highlight.
11:03 Beyonce is “Drunk In Love.” And just as fierce (and sparkly) you want her to be.
11:07 Yeah, okay, the VMAs have had more than enough butts tonight. The feminist touch was just an after thought.
11:08 All of those rumors about Beyonce performing her entire album are more than just rumors now.
11:10 Seriously, Beyonce with her hair blowing back in front of glowing blue lights? Dreams comin’ true.
11:12 Beyonce performing “XO,” and we got Nicki Minaj out here voicin’ the lyrics. Glad they put her at the end.
11:13 By far the cutest moment of the VMAs: Beyonce kissing her baby girl Blue Ivy, who said “Good job, Mommy” in response.
11:20 Alright, we’re out. Beyonce wins it all performance-wise. Nicki Minaj comes in a close second with three appearances (and some well-placed twerkin’.)
Winners List:
Best Lyric Video: 5 Seconds of Summer — “Don’t Stop”
Best Female Video: Katy Perry — “Dark Horse” (Feat. Juicy J)
Best Male Video: Ed Sheeran — “Sing”
Best Pop Video: Ariana Grande — “Problem” (feat. Iggy Azalea)
Best Hip Hop Video: Drake — “Hold On We’re Going Home”
Best Rock Video: Lorde — “Royals”
Artist to Watch: Fifth Harmony
Video of the Year: Miley Cyrus — “Wrecking Ball”
Video Vanguard Award: Beyonce
