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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

The "MTV Video Music Awards" get interesting

Last night, the famous MTV Video Music Awards aired live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The night was jam-packed with tweet-worthy moments and unforgettable performances. There was one moment in particular, however, that sparked the attention of so many AfterEllen.com readers.

Here’s a riddle for you: What do you call a crybaby 32-year-old man that immaturely interrupts a 19-year-old’s first Moon Man acceptance speech? Answer: Kanye West!

When Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” beat Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” in the category for Best Female Video, Kanye rudely snatched the microphone from the unsuspecting teen and declared that Beyoncé should have won.

Kanye walks around like he’s the end-all be-all of the music industry, as if he has some kind of clout that allows him to whine and complain about any and everything he doesn’t like. I have a lot of opinions too (mostly about Amber Rose dating a bonehead like him) but you don’t see me up on the stage ruining Taylor’s big night.

Don’t think that this was the first time he’s had an outburst, though. Remember in 2007 when he vowed he’d “never return to MTV” when he didn’t win any VMAs or perform on the main stage at the Las Vegas show? Too bad he didn’t keep his promise.

Later in the night, however, Beyoncé brought Taylor up to have her moment on stage.

But let’s not focus our attention on silly boys any longer when there were so many talented and beautiful single ladies in New York last night. Well, I suppose Beyoncé isn’t quite single, but she proved to be the class act when she invited Taylor Swift back on stage to finish her speech when she won Video of the Year for “Single Ladies.” They both looked lovely in red, too, might I add.

Another highlight of the night was Lady Gaga’s ridiculousness. Everything from her bleeding crucifix finish of her “Paparazzi” performance, to the outfit that looked like she robbed the costume closet for the Where the Wild Things Are movie, was a joke. Maybe I’m not deep enough to appreciate her, um, artistic visions, but WTF?

Perhaps the moment I anticipated most was Janet Jackson’s tribute to her big brother, which ended up being a performance of one of my all-time favorites, “Scream,” a duet recorded for Michael Jackson’s greatest hits album, HIStory: Book 1. Following a dance tribute showcasing classics like “Thriller” and “Bad,” Janet electrified the stage by recreating the video, but dancing in front of the spot that would have been her dancing in the video with her brother.

Even though her voice was majorly auto-tuned, the moment was beautiful and I nearly peed my pants. TMI — sorry — but it’s true.

Other undeniable showstoppers included Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” performance;

Madonna’s touching personal tribute letter to Michael Jackson;

And so many others! What was your favorite part of the MTV VMAs last night?

Nona J.'s picture

3 Favorites

1.) The Michael Jackson tribute (Madonna, The Dancers, and of Course Ms. Janet Jackson.)

2.) Lady Gaga's saying, "this is for the Gays & God! < -- w/ Eminem in the background looking like a tool.  (I liked her weirdness.)

3.)Jay Z and Alicia Keys performance. <--Made me want to move to NY. 

 

 

" True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united" ~ Wilhelm von Humbolt

Anonymous's picture

ohh i know when lady gaga

ohh i know when lady gaga dedicated the award...awesomee, my mom was excited hahaha :D
shekindapreppy's picture

Jay-Z and A. Keys

Jay-Z and A. Keys performance totally made me want to move to NY, too.

on another note,

who told lil' mama to go on stage. i know she was representing for her city, but she just looked out of place. and it kinda seemed like J and Keys paid her no mind, esp. at the end.

keep on shinin&#039;'s picture

Definitely agree with all

Definitely agree with all those!!! and yeah what was up Lil Mama?? I'm guessing the liqour was flowin', enough to make people run on stage and make themselves look dumb. Love Gaga, Janet's performance and Alicia Keys and Pink looked gorgeous. Plus Gaga and Pink performed liveeee!! Also I have to give Beyonce lots of props for being the classy lady she is. Interesting show!
pinkpants's picture

Gaga

I love lady gaga. I think she is amazing, artistic and i love her unique-ness. No one else like her, what more could you want. Plus she is hot!
7Up's picture

Proud to be living in NY

Jay Z and Alicia Keys' performance made me feel all sorts of pride and joy because I live in New York!!!!!  

 

No city like it!!!

 

Brooklyn on the site!

 

Anonymous's picture

kanye was soooo rude,

kanye was soooo rude, ughhh!!! but Beyoncé, what a lady!! love her!. lady gaga was ok, i mean her performance was...weird, with the bleeding and all...but she looked hot! XD Beyonce's performance was amazingg!! the best one of the show and i loved the performance of Green Day, they rocked the house!!
barietta's picture

I love Madonna's letter

I thought most of the show was pretty good and I am glad I missed the whole Kayne mess, I thought Janet Jackson tribute was really good and musical number by Pink was awesome.
Sandra's picture

Gaga and Pink

FIRSTLY: I thought that by far the best part was with Gaga performing Paparrazzi! omg like wtf?! it was sick!!! absolutely amazing!! the beginning "if the fame doesn't kill me" after her rendition of poker face to playing the piano with her leg up on the keys and then to being crucified on the stage in front of everybody!!! like WHAT!!!?? And I thought she looked stunning when she received her award SECOND: pink's performance to Sober was so great!! woman has SO much grace and beauty and sexiness. she is truly a great performer. The use of acrobatics and trust and riskyness! like WoW! idk I thought that was one of the BEST shows!!!
Emily's picture

Definitely Agree

These 2 performances were beyond amazing!!! Lady Gaga is insane in the most positive and life-affirming way...That was incredible! Her piano skill are just unreal the way she was playing that! And Pink? DAMN!!! I wish I had the guts to do something like that! But I just want to say the night goes to Taylor Swift for keeping it real and Beyonce for her undeniable class and generosity. 
Storyofmylife's picture

Uhhh I would have to

Uhhh I would have to disagree...Im gonna need lady Gaga to leave the piano playing to A.Keys. That was a tad ridicuous. Her performance was all good up until that point.
Aa's picture

Guilty

I happen to like Lady Gaga's attire, more than her music sometimes, I have to say. Yes, she is outlandish and can be shocking, but I am into the idea of creating your life, fantasy can be the main ingredient . Art? Yes . See Cindy Sherman. Grotesque and beautiful, sometimes hard to look at but full of wonder.
dragonlady07's picture

a+

i totally agree, and you are my hero for referencing cindy sherman. just thought id share.
dollparts's picture

its being said that shes

its being said that shes jocking someone elses style lol Roisin Murphy dressed like that before lady gaga came on the scene if she did style her style she did make a few changes of her own

 

 Roisin                                                              GagaGaga Fashion Highlights

Roisin Murphy Pics

 

 

"Hands upon my back again.
Survival is my only friend.
Terrified of what may come.
Remember I will always love you,
Even as I claw your fucking throat away.
But it will end no other way"

Sportylady's picture

VMA's

I watched some of it, but MTV drives me nuts with three minutes of programming, six minutes of commercials.  I gave up.

Kanye pissed me the eff off, classless act by another "all about me" celebrity.  My girl wanted to see Lady Gaga's performance, and we turned the TV off right after it.  We both had WTF?! looks on our faces which is a shame because the chick can really sing.

I youtubed the Janet performance, she didn't disappoint...I was looking forward to it but the show is so up and down I can't sit through it.

Candice's picture

Janet rocked... too bad she

Janet rocked... too bad she didn't sing "Again". 

I never liked Lady Gaga... just not my kind of music, but that performance last night was ill... I really enjoyed it, and after her acceptance speech... I'm sold.

Kanye is a bully, he would not have done that if P!nk had won the award, she would have decked him.

Beyonce was classy, but I had a feeling she would do what she did.

How bout Lil Mama... what was that?

Bummer Britney wasn't there. 

Mostly though... I'm just in love with Alicia Keys.

Becky's picture

P!nk woulda decked him....

P!nk woulda decked him.... LMAO
A.n.n.y.'s picture

Hell yess!

Haha she totally would have. I bet she would have now if she had gotten the chance.

Actually I just assume that from what I've just read about her reaction, since I haven't  seen any of it (yet). Ghe.

melissa's picture

vma's

 

kanye west is the biggest douche bag ever and his music just sucks

i love madonna but her face looked kind of puffy

taylor swift  performance was cute

beyonce is now awesome because of what she did for taylor swift

pink! was smokin hot

and

lady gaga is just a f***ing  freak

 

 

 

 

Im not crazy, my reality is just different then yours.

Thane McAllister's picture

Whatever...

I was too busy watching the season finale of "True Blood" to give two shits about the crap-shute that is the VMAs; however, i do frequent Perezhilton.com and i saw the clip of Kanye (oh, Mr. West when will the douchebagery end?) being a sexually-confused* bully and i almost shit a brick. I'm not an avid fan of T.S. but she's out-sold everyone this year so clearly other people are into her. Beyonce's video was better-that's why she won video of the YEAR, but Bey is a grown-ass woman; she does not need a 32 year old horn-swoggle look-a-like to validate her genius...blah. what a tool.

*...tha dude is 100% gay; just come out already!

Iswim's picture

True Blood

Who do you think had the silver at the end.  That show was well done.
xxPhoenixx's picture

Silver at the end of true blood

I assumed it was eric because of the conversation he had with the queen.
Athena's picture

HORN-SWOGGLE!   LMFAO.

HORN-SWOGGLE!   LMFAO. your post made my day. ur completely right about that bag!  im not up on my swift either but she deserved better. beyonce is a true lady!

but yeah i was watchin trueblood to.

Julia's picture

True Blood

I skipped the award show for True Blood too.  Yeah, duh.  But I saw one of Lady Gag's outfits on some recap later on, and it looked like she was wearing the nest that had been on Gran's bed.

ALSO (I'm just showing off)...

I live in Baton Rouge and I drive past that little "French restaurant"/bed & breakfast fairly often.  I'm nerd enough to know that it's not as exciting as I think it is.

Kirsten's picture

P!NK

I'm surprised there was no mention of Pink's AMAZING performance in this article. She rocked! hanging upside down while actually singing (unlike most who lip sync)... AWESOMEE!
Kortney's picture

Yes!

EXACTLY what I thought. There were tons of great moments, but that was it for me. She's so talented it's ridiculous.

And Beyonce is the new definition of CLASS. I don't like Taylor Swift at all, but that was way out of line and I really respect Beyonce for what she did.

PiperFitch's picture

C'mon kanYe!! I love you,man!

kanYe is a trip, being one of his big fans i have to say im disappointed. I kinda like his arrogance, but i thought he was a bit disrepectful last night.i mean its nothin new, we expect this from kanye. i still like him. Gaga is amazing, i like her "i dnt give a fuck" attitude. she just doesnt care, which makes me fall in love with her more and more.
L's picture

I not a big fan of Taylor

I not a big fan of Taylor swift but I like some of her music. It's kinda relaxing. What an ass kanye was. He feels that it should always be about him and his opinion that matters. He just embarassed himself in front of millions of people. He should just be banned at any award shows.
Brit's picture

Lady Gaga

I personal enjoyed Lady Gaga's performance last night. Yes, it was over the top, yes it was extremely dramatic, but that's what she does, and she's good at it.

One thing that did piss me off (besides an idiotic Kanye), was  Russel Brand at the VMA's. Near the beginning of the show he randomly brought up the fact that Lady Gaga is bisexual and said that he had a problem with it. Brand also added that the problem was "in his troussers." Men need to realize that bisexuals and lesbians were not put on this earth solely for their enjoyment. This kind of behavior truly is sickening to me. I guess we (I at least) can take some solace in the fact that Brand will NEVER get any from Lady Gaga.

GreenBean2's picture

<_<

Gaga is very over rated. There's nothing stylish or pant wettingly amazing about her. She just loves triangles and messy 'clothes.
Kayne (Kain) is just a douchebag. Beyonce must of been mortified and Taoylor Swift must of wanted to shove the mic down his gloating throat.
Theymademedoit's picture

I'm not a fan of Lady Gaga

But I liked the "For God and Gays".

I'm glad beyonce showed there are still some people with class in this industry 

prufrock1019's picture

I'm sensing a pattern...

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxKIcrDsJAs

------------------

Stewie: Listen, why don't you save yourself years of sexual ambiguity and get fitted for a pair of Doc Martens and a plaid flannel shirt?

HeavilyBroken's picture

I have lost all and any

I have lost all and any remaining respect for kanye after last night. It is definately not the first time he has shown how immature he is, which is why I think people are going to be less forgiving, but the look on taylors face and even beyonces face broke my heart. I still can't believe he had the nerve to do that. However like others I was impressed that beyonce went up there and called taylor out on to the stage, that is pure class maybe kanye should try grow up and get some class. He has the right to say what he wants and think what he wants but his actions were disrespectful and uncalled for. Ultimately he made himself look bad infront of so many people including his own fans and he definately loss me as a fan last night
Mel's picture

*sigh* you guys..

ive never liked kanye west- he has NO talent, and he's an arrogant, egotistical attention whore. what he did last night was rude and childish (much like he is), but all of you are giving him exactly what he wants- to see his own stupid face everywhere and to be talked about by everyone. his ego is now swollen to astronomical proportions, and you helped it get there..if everyone would just IGNORE HIM, he'd disappear off the face of this earth or implode on himself from the lack of attention, guaranteed.
Social Anxiety's picture

I wouldn't go as far as

I wouldn't go as far as saying no talent, maybe no class.

I think I seem to be the only one who thinks Kanye did this out a joke since he did it to JUSTICE at the European awards, just this time no one saw the humor in it except for me and him. I dunno. I really only watched this year for Janet though.  

ProudGoldStar's picture

Kanye..WTF?

They should file a restraining order against him to keep him from pulling these stunts! Have some decency, Kanye..and grow a pair for frak's sake!
Cleah's picture

Allow me to particularly

Allow me to particularly appreciate the use of my favourite swear word in this last sentence :)

Snicky's picture

poor taylor

Men like Kanye are one of the reasons I became a lesbian ... LOL :D

just kidding, but I really lost respect for that guy (and I can't even remember I ever liked him)

he was just frustrated about not winning an award himself, so he climbed on stage at THE most exiting moment of a talented, wonderful, innocent Taylor Swift (a country singer), who achieved a wonderful performance by winning over Beyonce and co.!

I just died watching her standing there so confused and shocked .... And then she had to walk off stage ... pour thing ...

 total respect for Beyonce (calling her back on stage)!

so for now, let me just say: Taylor, if you read this: I'm here with my arms wide open baby!

Anonymous's picture

I watched True Blood first ...

caught the VMA's later.

LOVED the tribute to MJ.  Madonna had me a little emotional.  (which is kinda major because I don't particularly care for her.)  The dancers were amazing.  Janet killed it!!! 

Lady Gaga is a insane.  I love her for it. 

Kanye needed his ass beat for what he did.  But. I'm not surprised he did it.  

Did anyone notice how MTV played Solange this year?  They put her on right after Beyonce Wrecks the stage ... and she's singin' Kings of Leon into commercial.  *ouch* 

Lil Mama is SO lame for jumpin' on stage w/ Jay & Alicia.  Dude gave her a lil' pat on the leg like "Gon' lil' girl!  Grown folks are workin'!"  She didn't catch the hint.  SO LAme.  Loved the song though.  "Empire State of Mind" is an instant classic in my book.


"Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind.
" ~Dr. Seuss

Anonymous's picture

MTV

I didn't watch it last night but I saw clips and pix. Just everything Lady Gaga wore was...interesting. I kinda get the whole performance art thing but I don't know. And the whole Kanye thing...pfff guy is a douche. I read/heard some interview with him about the 2007 MTV Euro awards and the grammys and how he wanted to jump on stage and say Gnarles Barkley deserved the award over the Dixie Chicks but he didn't. I think the thing that stopped him that time was he wasn't drunk. This time he was and he just didn't care and did it. Plus his "apology" was bc his ppl told him to apologize and you could tell he was mocking Taylor and didn't really feel sorry.
Jessi's picture

Also nice to see ,,,,,

What Beyonce did too when she won her award. Letting Taylor come up to finish her speech. She did not have to do that. But it shows how classy she is.
Meg's picture

Sooo

I was just watching the 'Most-Talked About Moments' on MTV.com and you can see Megan Fox in the row behind Beyonce, and her facial expression just like... dropped. xD

Megan does not approve!

The vid's here: http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/435995/taylor-swift-wins-best-female-video.jhtml#id=1620605
You can see it @ like 1:06 ish, if you're interested. :P

bubbles03's picture

To echo

WHat everyone has been saying, Beyonce was so classy.  I'm a huge B fan, so I expected no less.  The Madonna tribute to MJ had me emotional, because I just love her and she rarely talks about the death of her mother, and compound that with MJ, it was nice.

 

Lady Gaga - I am a HUGE fan, have been for a while.  I think people sometimes don't realize how hard she works and how thoughtful and intelligent she is, because she makes pop music.  SHe's weird, yes, but that's one of the reasons I love her so much, and being that I've seen her Paparazzi video, I didn't thik her performance was asking too much of the audience/viewers to get the point she was making (which, especially with the tribute to MJ, was relevant).  And in case you didn't get it she sang it out for you in the intro "I pray the fame won't take my life," and The Fame is the title of her cd, which in itself has more meanings that I want to type, haha....the intricacies and detail this girl puts into her work/performances is more than I've seen in a while, even if you don't like it.  She has said before that she is not a celebrity, but she is an artist, and I think her theatrical performance was very artistic.  And it's not like we haven't seen it before - she's very reminiscent of Madonna. Ok, I could gush on and on because I loooooove the Lady!  Plus "this is for God and the Gays," which is also what she said when she won at the Muchmusic awards.  <3 <3 <3!

 

 

 

Set me free, leave me be. I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.

bubbles03's picture

To echo

WHat everyone has been saying, Beyonce was so classy.  I'm a huge B fan, so I expected no less.  The Madonna tribute to MJ had me emotional, because I just love her and she rarely talks about the death of her mother, and compound that with MJ, it was nice.

 

Lady Gaga - I am a HUGE fan, have been for a while.  I think people sometimes don't realize how hard she works and how thoughtful and intelligent she is, because she makes pop music.  SHe's weird, yes, but that's one of the reasons I love her so much, and being that I've seen her Paparazzi video, I didn't thik her performance was asking too much of the audience/viewers to get the point she was making (which, especially with the tribute to MJ, was relevant).  And in case you didn't get it she sang it out for you in the intro "I pray the fame won't take my life," and The Fame is the title of her cd, which in itself has more meanings that I want to type, haha....the intricacies and detail this girl puts into her work/performances is more than I've seen in a while, even if you don't like it.  She has said before that she is not a celebrity, but she is an artist, and I think her theatrical performance was very artistic.  And it's not like we haven't seen it before - she's very reminiscent of Madonna. Ok, I could gush on and on because I loooooove the Lady!  Plus "this is for God and the Gays," which is also what she said when she won at the Muchmusic awards.  <3 <3 <3!

 

 

 

Set me free, leave me be. I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.

Brennan's picture

I think...

I think we can confirm that Lady GaGa has no "disco stick" of her own! Yes?
chels's picture

LMFAO you win hands down!

LMFAO you win hands down!
Emily's picture

Lady GaGa is theatre; she's

Lady GaGa is theatre; she's performance art. That's what she's about. We're used to seeing and understanding artists as people who create art, whether it's dance, music, visual, performance, etc. Many of these artists are committed and even live their art, but she takes it one step further: she IS the art.  She doesn't just make music, she's a show.  Lady GaGa makes some fantastic pop music.  Still, I wouldn't love her half as much as I do if she didn't all those crazy things.  I can take or leave fashion, and couldn't care less about high fashion, but I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what she would be wearing the next time they cut to her. My friends and I couldn't wait to see what she would do during her performance. It's not just to shock, though that's a part of it. We know we can always expect something big and grand from her. You don't just watch her perform, you experience it. Also, girl can sing. She has more than enough talent to back all that up. Lady GaGa is the real deal.

Other than that, I thought Pink was also incredible. I didn't think Taylor Swift's video was the best either, but what Kanye did was just rude and hurtful. Beyonce showed just was a class act she is by inviting her back up there.
☼♪♫hell girl&#039;s sister♥♪●♫♀+♀=♥'s picture

Favs

P!nk was sooooooooo AMAZING did you see those flips and she was such a pro. *lezzy sigh*

Lady Gaga OMG she was sooooooo awesome i can't even talk about it's just tooo goooooood everything about her is weird and i LOOOOOOVE weird

Janet was sooo great she did my fav part of that vid and i'm sooo happy she did that

Madonna's speach was just sooo breath taking and i was paying attention to everyword

UHM Kanye i still love him though i think he was wrong for cutting Taylor off and Beyonce did'nt deserve that award either i think Lady Gaga should have won it but whatever. But i'm glad that Beyonce let Taylor have her moment that was a sweet thing to do.

Alicia Keys was Amazing though i wish she had did one of HER own songs cause i can't stand Jay-Z(i can't stand liars how many times will he retire??? ugh), but she still did awesome.

 

 

True feelings can never be put into words.
therfore when you can't explain how you feel about someone that's when you know..

shekindapreppy's picture

I watched it out of order.

I watched it out of order. TrueBlood, was at the top of my viewing list. So I came in on Beyonce calling Taylor back out to finish her speech. And I'm sitting there trying to figure out what happened, then I saw the post show wrap up with Sway and I was like "Ohhhhhhh. okay"

I think, as most of you do, Kanye's actions were very disrespectful. We know he is just "like that", but after a while that behavior just gets old. 

Anyway, absolutely loved, loved, loved MJ tribute and Janet. Beyonce did her thing as usual. And Jay and Alicia closing out the show. It was awesome.

 

.★.Matt The Rock$tar.★.'s picture

Madonna and Janet Jackson

and the MJ tribute and Alicia Keys and Jay Z was amazing the rest was a train wreck did not like it. Well on that note I hear Kanye West and Lil Mama are making a new movie.

 

Matt's world you just live in it!