The Most Surprising MTV VMAs Moments of All Time
Beyoncé's pregnancy announcement = why she's Queen Bey.
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If you watch awards shows for the surprising, juicy, I-can't-believe-that-just-happened moments, nothing beats the MTV VMAs. From pop stars randomly making out (#Britdonna, Katy Perry and Niall Horan...I mean the list goes on and on) to feuds of the century (looking at you, Kanye), there's truly nothing like it. To celebrate this year's show, take a look back at some of the wildest moments in VMAs history. Thank you, MTV, for blessing our screens with the most absurd celebrity content known to (Moon) man. IYKYK.
Beyoncé's Baby Bump (2011)
Not only did this absolute supermom belt out "Love On Top" first, but she danced her butt off before unbuttoning her jacket and revealing her sweet secret.
Lady Gaga's Bloody Performance (2009)
In a true WTF moment, Lady Gaga violently bled out on stage in an artsy performance of "Paparazzi" that only Lady Gaga could dream up. When the camera cut to Diddy's confused (and concerned) expression in the audience, he embodied all of us at home.
Britney and Madonna's Steamy Kiss (2003)
I'm pretty sure this moment actually stopped time for a bit. Oh and then the camera just casually panned over to a newly-single Justin Timberlake, who seemed less than thrilled by his ex's actions.
Lourdes Leon Makes Her Hollywood Debut (2003)
Bet you didn't know about this one! Madonna's 7-year-old daughter opened her 2003 performance. Today, Lourdes is an über-successful model, to the surprise of no one.
Kanye Announces He's Running for President (2015)
"Yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president," he revealed to the crowd. Ummm, I don't think anybody guessed that, Ye.
Britney's Scaly Guest (2001)
I already knew Britney was 10x cooler than everyone else on the planet in 2001, but her ability to keep her composure while holding an actual python proved it.
Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian Make Things Official (2021)
#Kravis made their red carpet debut at the VMAs, jumping right into the excessive PDA we all know and love expect from them during their very first public appearance.
Eminem Punches a Puppet (2003)
And that, my friends, is how Eminem got banned forever from Sesame Street. JK, but it was the second time the rapper punched a puppet at the VMAs. The surprisingly violent gag (in which he ripped off the puppet's arm???) was a callback to the year prior, when Eminem got into a real feud with Moby and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.
Alyson Stoner and Missy Elliott Reunite (2019)
Nearly two decades after the pigtailed 9-year-old famously danced with Missy Elliott in her "Work It" music video, they reunited for a performance in honor of Missy's 2019 Video Vanguard Award. It. Was. Everything.
Kelly Clarkson Brings the Rain (2005)
The wild performance of "Since U Been Gone" took 3,000 gallons of water to pull off, and left everyone completely drenched.
Katy Perry and Niall Horan Kiss (2012)
Nobody was more shocked—or thrilled—by Katy's kiss than the One Direction heartthrob himself. "It was amazing and very purple — she had purple lipstick on," he later told Cosmopolitan UK. "I don't think there will ever be anything cooler than kissing her — until I marry her, maybe." You hear that, Orlando Bloom??
Eminem Performs with Lookalikes (2000)
Few things are stranger than seeing 30 different Eminems all together at once, and then 20 years later realizing they all kinda look like a blonde Pete Davidson?! Once you see it, you can't unsee it.
Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande Go Public (2018)
See?? Pete is literally one buzzcut away from being 2000-era Eminem. The comic had a VMAs moment of his own in 2018, when he made his red carpet debut with Ariana. It was literally all anybody could talk about.
Kanye's Rude Interruption (2009)
In true, unscripted fashion, Kanye ruined 19-year-old Taylor's shining moment on live TV. It's fine though, because it resulted in "Look What You Made Me Do" (and all of Reputation, really) nearly a decade later.
Kanye and Taylor Clear the Air...for Now (2015)
These two break up and make up more than Khloé Kardashian and Tristan Thompson. In 2015, they famously hugged it out on stage after she presented the rapper with his Video Vanguard Award. As we all know, though, their truce didn't last very long.
Eva Longoria Wears a Swimsuit (2005)
In one of the worst-aging and most ill-timed jokes of all time, the actress went on stage and said: "I wasn't going to let a little hurricane stop me from wearing my bathing suit." That little hurricane turned out to be Hurricane Katrina. Of course, she didn't know that at the time, but prepare to cringe watching this one back.
Cardi B's Baby Fakeout (2019)
Tag yourself: I'm the guy adoringly watching and fully believing that Cardi B brought her baby daughter to the VMAs. As we all know, her bundle of joy actually turned out to be an award.
Lorde's Interpretive Dance (2017)
Does the show always have to go on? After Lorde became severely sick with the flu, she chose to skip the singing and dance around the stage during her performance instead. Although it's kinda awkward to watch and left most of the audience confused, serious props to her for going through with it.
Cyndi Lauper's Powerful Speech (2021)
"I won a moon person at the very first VMAs in 1984. Things are a little different now," she said before presenting Justin Bieber with an award. "Yeah, girls wanna have fun. But we also want to have funds. Equal pay. Control over our bodies! You know, fundamental rights." Tell 'em, Cyndi!! 👏 👏 👏
The Carter Family Gets Emotional (2014)
Can you believe just a few months before this pic was taken was the infamous Met Gala brawl? Jay and Bey put all divorce rumors to rest following her epic 15-minute VMAs performance, when they let Blue Ivy present her mom with the Video Vanguard Award. Excuse me while I go rewatch this moment and sob in the corner. It's fine, I'm FINE!
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