Top 10 Craziest MTV VMAs Moments
There's always something crazy that happens at the VMAs! Here's looking back at some of the craziest moments. We've included the time Miley Cyrus twerked on Robin Thicke, Beyonce reveals baby bump, Kanye interrupts Taylor, Britney and Madonna kiss and lil Kim's breast exposure!
#10: Miley, What’s Good? 2015
When “Anaconda” wasn’t nominated for Video of the Year in 2015, Minaj took to Twitter to vent her frustration, claiming only videos that celebrate women with very slim bodies were nominated. Seeing it as a personal attack, the tweet garnered a response from Taylor Swift causing an online exchange. Seeing this, Miley Cyrus voiced her opinion in a “New York Times” interview, suggesting it all “sounded very Nicki Minaj, which ... is not too kind”. With Miley hosting the VMA awards, and Nicki winning for Best Hip-Hop Video, the rapper took her moment in the spotlight to call out the host, and let’s just say – it wasn’t too friendly.
#9: Bass Guitar Attacks Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic 1992
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Nirvana may have been known for destroying instruments on stage, but in 1992 it was Krist Novoselic’s bass that took sought revenge. While performing “Lithium”, the bass player decided to throw his guitar towards the ceiling, betting on himself to hit over 25 feet in the air – well he sure did, but only to be caught in the bass’s path of destruction, as it landed full force on his noggin. While claiming he embellished the knockout, this didn’t stop Novoselic from taking in alternative medical treatment in the form of a glass of champagne from rock legend Brian May. Though Nirvana claimed they weren't “gonna crack”, Novoselic’s face might say otherwise.
#8: Russell Brand on George W. Bush 2008
This comedian is known to be a little on the nose, filthy-minded, but above all, fabulous. Taking the stage at the 2008 VMAs amidst a presidential election, Brand used the moment to urge the US public to vote for Barack Obama, referring to President George W. Bush in a not so politically correct way. The event’s official message board was filled with complaints, with people upset over a “foreigner” attacking the president, while the Associated Press claimed that Brand’s “rock star style and outlandish candor gave the Los Angeles show a pulse”. If Brand’s goal was to get Americans to talk about him – he certainly lassoed them in.
#7: Michael Jackson Accepts Fake Award 2002 The King of Pop, was also the king of class – but in this moment, he was the king of misunderstanding. The 2002 VMAs, coinciding with Jackson’s 44th birthday, proved the perfect opportunity to celebrate a music legend. Welcomed on stage by Britney Spears, who referred to Jackson as the “artist of the millennium”, MJ took this to be, in fact, a real award and went on to “accept” the “award” with sincerity, grace, and heart. Spoofed a year later by Jack Black, this 2002 moment would go down in VMA history. Potentially the strangest thing about this imaginary award, is that MJ probably was the most deserving.
#6: Lady Gaga’s Meat Dress 2010
Doing what she alone can do, Lady Gaga dazzled in a dress made of beef at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Gaga used the dress as a protest against the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. In the dress, Gaga accepted the award for Video of the Year for Bad Romance, and jokingly asked Cher to hold her meat purse. The getup was later named by Time as the top fashion statement of 2010, and went on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, forever solidifying it in pop-culture history.
#5: Tim Commerford Rages Against the Scaffolding 2000
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In a true battle of the bands, Tim Commerford took it to heart when his band lost out on the award for Best Rock Video to Limp Bizkit in 2000. With intentions of simply toppling the podium if they won, Commerford instead chose to climb a bizarre set piece as Limp Bizkit gave their acceptance speech. The avid rock climber had his talents showcased on full display, which stayed authentic to the shocking nature of rock and roll. Maybe it was a stand against the MTV awards or just a crazy stunt in general…but either way it earned him a night in jail.
#4: Beyoncé Reveals Baby Bump 2011
Before starting what would become an iconic performance, mommy to be Beyoncé shouted to the crowd, “I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside of me.” Performing “Love on Top,” the pop superstar showed the world that pregnancy wasn’t slowing her down, as she hit every high note and hit every dance move. At the end of the performance, in what would become one of the realest moments in VMA history, Beyoncé unbuttoned her purple sequence blazer to unveil her baby bump – and proved that celebrities are human like the rest of us.
#3: Miley Twerks on Robin Thicke 2013
In what could only be described as a publicity stunt, this musical act brought together two of the most controversial pop figures of 2013. The provocative, raunchy, and above all, cringe-worthy performance saw Miley take to the stage tongue out and stripped down, grinding on Robin Thicke, who was fully-decked out in a Beetlejuice-inspired ensemble. Though she didn’t create the twerk, she sure made it famous among the mainstream, and she danced it out to Thicke’s controversial hit – “Blurred Lines” in what couldn’t have been a more ironic song choice. This one kept the world talking for a long time, not to mention ruining the innocence of the foam finger.
#2: Kanye Interrupts Taylor 2009
Kanye has always been one to speak his mind, but this moment certainly takes the cake… or the stage, and someone else's microphone, in this case. While accepting her award for “Best Female Video”, Swift, and the world that watched, were stunned silent, as Mr. West took to the mic to declare Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” as being one of the best music videos of all time. A quick pan of the camera showcased a stunned Beyoncé looking on with a facial expression the world could relate to. No one knows how much this moment altered the careers of three mega stars, but like they say, all publicity is good publicity. Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions: Fiona Apple Declares This World as ‘BS’ 1997 Diana Ross Gets Touchy with Lil’ Kim 1999 Lil Mama Walks On Stage During Jay-Z & Alicia Keys’ Performance 2009
#1: Britney & Madonna (& Christina Aguilera) Kiss 2003
It was “the kiss heard around the world.” Performing a mashup of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood,” pop divas Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera sent the crowd into a frenzy when they took the stage in bridal gowns, only to be greeted by Madonna rising from a centee stage wedding cake. At the end of the performance, with Britney and Christina down to their undergarments, Madonna kissed each of them, sending the star-studded crowd into shock – and then Missy Elliot was introduced. Thanks to four of the biggest names in music, a legendary performance, and a kiss, we were all Justin Timberlake’s face that night.
