VMAs: the most outrageous outfits ever worn on the red carpet
The MTV Video Music Awards has seen its fair share of drama over the years. Here, we chart the most outrageous outfits to ever grace the red carpet...
The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) is one of the most outrageous red carpets of the year. While fancy evening dressing obviously feature, the VMAs is more famous for its OTT, outlandish and borderline butt naked outfits, making it a truly exciting event to tune into.
From Lady Gaga's famous meat dress to Rose McGowan's near-naked string situation, celebs don their bolded outfits for this award setting. As the 2021 show takes place, we've decided to round up the most naked, controversial and all-round iconic looks from over the years.
Rose McGowan, 1998 VMAs
Easily in the top three most shocking VMA's outfits ever, Rose McGowan rocked up to the 1998 red carpet with Marilyn Manson and not much in the way of clothes.
Lil Kim, 1999 VMAs
Speaking of not wearing many clothes, Lil Kim rocked the nipple sticker trick Miley Cyrus is trying to make happen now, all the way back in 1999.
Lil Kim, 2000 VMAs
The following year, Lil Kim continued the red carpet shock factor in this PVC, scarlet caged leotard and matching coat.
Pink, 2000 VMAs
Could this BE any more rock n roll? Pink upped her edge for the 2000 VMAs.
Britney Spears, 2002 VMAs
Ah Britney, we're pretty sure you must have woken up that morning and thought 'how could I go wrong with a leather, studded mini with matching cap, lace gloves and lace-up shoes?'. So innocent.
Kim Petras, 2021 VMAs
Kim Petras arrived at this year's VMAs red carpet wearing a NSFW latex look.
Nicki Minaj, 2011 VMAs
No words.
Alicia Keys, 2001 VMAs
We're wondering if Alicia Keys' leather ensemble and flat cap was Britney's inspiration for her 2002 get-up.
Fergie, 2006 VMAs
Fergie's take on the school girl trend at the 2006 VMAs was, er, interesting, to say the least.
Christina Aguilera, 2002 VMAs
Christina Aguilera invented the underboob trend in 2002 - boy do we wish it could be uninvented.
Lady Gaga, VMAs 2009
Lady Gaga showed up to the 2009 Video Music Awards in typical Lady Gaga form - weird but wonderful.
Pamela Anderson, 1999 VMAs
Let's just forget the sequinned leggings and ivory bodice for a minute and concentrate on Pamela's fluffy pink hat. Yeah. That.
Jennifer Lopez, 2001 VMAs
Jennifer Lopez rocked a summer-holiday-meets-safari-meets-night-on-the-town look for her 2001 VMAs appearance.
Macy Gray, 2001 VMAs
Macy Gray had the ingenious idea of promoting her new album on the VMAs red carpet. Shame about the pink and purple combo.
Lady Gaga, 2010 VMAs
Lady Gaga's infamous meat dress will remain burned in our minds for years to come.
Miley Cyrus, 2013 VMAs
Remember when Miley Cyrus performed at the 2013 VMAs in a raunchy bear leotard and nearly ruined our childhoods forever?
Gwen Stefani, 1998 VMAs
Gwen Stefani made skirt/trousers happen at the 1998 Video Music Awards.
Nicki Minaj, 2012 VMAs
Nicki Minaj gave the illusion of a corset in this clever, sequinned design.
Lady Gaga, 2013 VMAs
Just when you thought Lady Gaga couldn't wear anything more outrageous, she rocked up at the 2013 VMAs dressed in nothing more than a few shells.
Katy Perry, 2014 VMAs
Paying the ultimate homage to Britney Spears, Katy Perry looked pretty awesome in this double denim get-up.
Jess Edwards is Cosmopolitan UK’s Deputy Editor, working to deliver the very best experiences across the brand's platforms (print, social, video, digital), products and events, including a focus on our membership offering, Club Cosmo. Jess has worked in the media industry for almost 20 years and at Cosmopolitan for over 10 years, joining the brand as Fashion Editor and later going on to lead the digital team as Site Editor. With her background in lifestyle journalism, it is no surprise that you’re most likely to find her in the Fashion section and exploring the very best in hospitality via our Travel pages.
Natasha Harding is the former Fashion Editor (Digital & Print) at Cosmopolitan & Women's Health UK. Working in fashion journalism for just under ten years, she’s covered over 30 international fashion weeks, hundreds of red carpets and religiously scours the runway every season to create the brand’s bi-annual trend report. Joining Cosmopolitan back in Australia, Natasha moved to London a few years ago and is now the resident expert for celebrity style and industry news, fashion features and e-commerce. Follow Natasha on Instagram
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