Justin Bieber won artist of the year at the VMAS.
Singer wins top artist, pop song for ‘Peaches’
Lil Nas X won video of the year at Sundays MTV VMAS on a night that Justin Bieber triumphantly returned as a performer and as winner of the artist of the year. Bieber’s energetic performance featured him rappelling from the ceiling of Barclays Center and launching into “Stay” with Kid LAROI and his single “Ghost.”
The leading nominee heading into Sunday’s show, Bieber also took home the best pop song honor with Giveon for “Peaches.”
The VMAS celebrated MTV’S 40th anniversary, mixing moments between early network stars like Cyndi Lauper and show opener Madonna with high-octane performances by newer stars like Olivia Rodrigo, Camila Cabello and Chloe.
But much of the evening belonged to Bieber. Sunday was his first VMAS performance in six years.
Sporting baggy clothes and a hoodie, Bieber showed his appreciation for the awards being in-person and thanked his wife, Hailey, for supporting him.
“As we know, there’s so much
going on in the world,” Bieber said during his acceptance speech after winning artist of the year. “We are in unprecedented times with COVID. Music is an amazing outlet to reach people together. We’re all here together.”
Opening the show, Madonna told the screaming crowd: “They said we wouldn’t last. But we’re still here.”
Moments after Olivia Rodrigo performed her hit “good 4 u,” she collected the night’s first award for her
massive hit song “Drivers License.”
“This is the most magical year of my life,” said Rodrigo, a first-time nominee.
Billie Eilish won the fan-voted Video for Good for her song “Your Power.” In her acceptance speech, she said Alicia Keys kissed her on the cheek before she spoke about the satisfaction of writing the song and women’s empowerment.
“We need to protect our own women at all costs,” Eilish said.