Behind-the-Scenes Moments You Didn’t See on TV

The evening began on the black carpet, with fans in the center and journalists lining the perimeter.

Nominees, presenters, performers, and guests began arriving at 5 p.m.

However, most stars walked down a separate side path.

A-list artists like Lizzo, BLACKPINK, and Taylor Swift exited the carpet directly after taking photos, opting to skip the area with fans and press.

The show began promptly at 8 p.m. with back-to-back performances from Jack Harlow and Lizzo.

Harlow, who brought out Fergie during his opening performance of “First Class,” co-hosted the show with LL Cool J and Minaj. He won four awards.

Lizzo won video for good and encouraged fans to vote against “laws that are oppressing us” during her acceptance speech.

Taylor Swift was the first person to stand and applaud for Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow when they won best collaboration.

The duo received the first award of the night for “Industry Baby.” Although everyone applauded, Swift was the first person to get on her feet and cheer.

Queues for food and drinks were extremely long during commercial breaks.

This was a marked change from the previous year. During the 2021 VMAs in Brooklyn, due to COVID-19 safety protocol, guests were pre-warned via email that concessions would not be available and no alcohol would be served in the building.

Options included hot dogs, house salad, and chicken tenders.

Dessert options included cookies and Dippin’ Dots.

Guests were given bracelets that lit up in synchronized colors to correspond with the performances.

The bracelets flashed pink and yellow during Marshmello and Khalid’s performance of “Numb.”

Guests watched Harry Styles’ pre-taped acceptance speech while other performances were being set up.

Styles won album of the year for “Harry’s House,” but was unable to attend the show due to a scheduling conflict with his residency at Madison Square Garden. 

His pre-taped acceptance speech was aired unceremoniously at the Prudential Center while crew members prepared the stages for performances.

Nicki Minaj’s performance took about 45 minutes to set up.

Crew members quietly began preparing Minaj’s elaborate set shortly after the show began at 8 p.m., even though the rapper didn’t take the stage until about 8:50 p.m.

Pieces of the Barbie-inspired dollhouse, used during the first half of Minaj’s medley, could be seen behind the screen during J Balvin and Ryan Castro’s performance of “Nivel De Perreo.”

In between Nicki Minaj’s performance and speech, she had a team of people fixing her hair and outfit onstage.

Just before Minaj accepted her Video Vanguard Award, MTV aired clips of fans who explained her impact on their lives. While the montage rolled, Minaj’s team rushed onstage to adjust her appearance and get her camera-ready.

There was no one onstage for the majority of Eminem and Snoop Dogg’s performance.

Most of Eminem and Snoop Dogg’s performance took place in the “metaverse” — which means it was an animated video that was shown to the VMAs audience onscreen.

During a commercial break prior to the segment, a crew member from MTV explained the concept to the crowd. He also said it was “really important” to keep the energy high even though no one would be onstage, telling fans on the floor, “You’re at a live show.”

The two rappers didn’t appear in the flesh until the end of their performance. 

The green car used by Panic! At the Disco was waiting in the wings for over an hour and a half.

The car was hanging out behind the screen while the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed at 9:30 p.m.

The prop didn’t see any action until Panic! At the Disco took the stage at 11 p.m.

Remi Wolf was dancing and singing during the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ entire performance, even though the rest of her section remained seated.

The emerging star, who was nominated for push performance of the year, has a song named after the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman: “Anthony Kiedis.”

Swift disappeared from the audience during the second half of the show, but reappeared just before MTV announced video of the year.

If you’re in the audience at the VMAs, you can predict who might win the next award based on where they’re seated at the time.

Swift — flanked by her “All Too Well” team, including the cinematographer, producer, and star Dylan O’Brien — was seated in the front row during the first half of the show, where she was in a prime position to accept the award for best short film.

She disappeared for a large chunk of the evening, leaving a seat filler in her place, but was escorted back to the front row just before she won video of the year. 

Swift ended the night with a bang, revealing during her acceptance speech that she will release a new album in October.