Since its debut in 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) has established a reputation as the rowdiest and most unpredictable major awards show, spawning everything from questionable fashion statements to risqué performances and full-on pop culture feuds.
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MaximBet’s Top 5 MTV VMAs Moments
The 2022 edition of the MTV VMAs takes place August 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, and MaximBet’s Global Ambassador, Advisor and Maxim’s Creative Director Nicki Minaj will be honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. To celebrate, here are MaximBet’s top five favorite wild MTV VMAs moments.
Kanye West Interrupts Taylor Swift
It’s arguably one of the most memorable and unexpected moments in the history of the VMAs. In 2009, West interrupted Taylor Swift’s Best Female Video acceptance speech, kicking off what would become a long-standing feud… and a whole mess of memes.
“Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’m gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all times,” he proclaimed to a stunned Swift and audience after grabbing her mic. “One of the best videos of all time!”
Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera Kiss
Never a stranger to making history (or controversy), Madonna was a standout at the inaugural VMAs in 1984 when she posed as a life-sized bride figure on a giant wedding cake during her performance of “Like a Virgin.” In 2003, the giant wedding cake returned, with a new twist.
Almost 20 years after the original performance, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera revived the 80s hit while taking on the role of brides before Madonna appeared on top of the cake donning black tails and a top hat. And while a queer throuple moment might be considered tame by 2022 standards, the steamy mouth-on-mouth kisses Madge planted on the two next-gen pop stars during the performance stayed on everyone’s lips for some time afterwards, make it one of the most memorable MTV VMAs moments ever.
Britney Spears Dances with a Snake
Spears gets a second spot on our favorite MTV VMAs moments list, thanks to her 2001 performance of “Slave 4 U” with a 25-pound amelanistic Burmese snake draped around her shoulders. Michael Hano, the snake’s handler, reportedly barely knew who Spears was at the time, despite her pop star fame. He claims to have taken the snake back to his Manhattan apartment by train after the show. Upon arrival, he overheard local kids talking about the performance. They were awestruck when he revealed the contents of his cooler.
Rage Against the Machine Bassist Arrested
Some MTV VMAs moments have been so wild that the police have had to intervene. Such was the case in 2000 when Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford took out his frustration over the awards show with a dangerous stunt. After Rage lost the award for Best Rock Video to Limp Bizkit, Commerford climbed up a piece of set scaffolding and refused to come down. The VMAs quickly cut to a commercial break, and the bass player was removed by security, arrested and jailed for the night.
Lady Gaga Wears A Dress Made of Meat
Fashion—chick and strange—is a staple of the MTV VMAs. MaximBet’s Global Ambassador Nicki Minaj always arrives in style. Remember her Harajuku-inspired look in 2011? Or what about her sheer and gold number she donned at the 2015 event? And who could forget that pink latex bodysuit from 2017?
In 2010 though, Born This Way singer Lady Gaga — who had a whopping 13 VMAs nominations—truly stole the show with a wild red carpet look. We’re of course talking about the infamous meat dress, which remains seared in our memories.
While accepting the award for “Bad Romance” presented by Cher, Gaga joked, “I never thought I’d be asking Cher to hold my meat purse.” Afterwards, the famous meat ensemble was displayed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Make sure to tune in on Aug. 28 to see what wild moments the 2022 VMAs have in store. Think you know what’s going to happen this year? Play the MaximBet free-to-play MTV VMA contest to make your predictions, and you could win a $10,000 jackpot.