The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Sept. 12. Here are some of the most memorable moments from the show.
1 of 17Jennifer Lopez
The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards took place on Sept. 12, 2021 in New York City. The show was hosted by Doja Cat and featured performances from some of the biggest stars in the music industry. Justin Bieber hit the stage, as did Olivia Rodrigo, Machine Gun Kelly, the Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes and more. Plus, celebs like Hailey Baldwin, Kourtney Kardashian, Megan Fox and more were on-hand to present awards. Even Jennifer Lopez made a surprise appearance onstage, as did Ciara!
The biggest award of the night — Video of the Year — went to Lil Nas X, while Justin Bieber took home Artist of the Year and Olivia Rodrigo won Best New Artist. Her track “Driver’s License” was also the big winner for Song of the Year. Keep scrolling through the gallery to see photos of the performances and more special moments from the 2021 VMAs.
Machine Gun Kelly
Machine Gun Kelly closed out the show when he took to the stage to perform his newest single “Papercuts” at the VMAs. He was joined by Travis Barker on the drums, and both of their ladies — Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian — cheered them on from the audience.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat takes center stage for an epic performance at the 2021 VMAs. She also pulled double duty as host of the big night.
Alicia Keys
The ultimate concrete jungle welcomed back it’s favorite daughter, Alicia Keys, as she performed a beautiful medley from Liberty State Park in Jersey City for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. She was joined by Swae Lee, and the pair made the whole tri-state area feel the love.
Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters accepted a career honor at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, receiving the show’s first-ever global icon award after performing a three-song medley at the show. Look at that smile!
Normani
She’s a wild thing — she even wrote a whole song about it! And it was with that song that Normani made history! Performing onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, the former 5H member made sure everyone knew how good she is as a solo artist with a super, sexy performance of ‘Wild Thing’.
Shawn Mendes
After watching his love, Camila Cabello, perform across the stadium from him, Shawn Mendes hit the stage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12 for a beautiful performance of ‘Summer of Love’
Camila Cabello
Muy caliente! Camila Cabello performed her next single, “Don’t Go Yet”, onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12. She pulled out all the stops, which was loved not just by her fans, but her boyfriend Shawn Mendes, who was caught dancing to her performance from his own stage.
Camila Cabello
She’s out here on her own and she’s SLAYING! Giving us all kinds of Beyonce vibes, Chloe Bailey made her debut as a solo artist at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center with a performance of ‘Have Mercy’
Lil Nas X
No one does it quite like him, and surely, no one looks as good as him doing it! Lil Nas X reunited with Jack Harlow to perform their hit collaboration, “Industry Baby,” for the first time live at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards!
Olivia Rodrigo
Happy and healthy, yes she! Olivia Rodrigo made her VMAs debut in a big way, with a performance of ‘good 4 u’ that not only opened the show, but started her down the path of MTV superstardom. Just after her performance, she scored her first two wins!
Kacey Musgraves
Let it burn! Kacey Musgraves set the stage on fire during the 2021 VMAs, and the country crooner couldn’t have picked a better song to make her VMAs debut with than ‘Star-Crossed’!
Jennifer Lopez Onstage
Jennifer Lopez speaks onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021. She lookes incredible in a black and silver sequined dress.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber performs onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021. He left a lasting impression that included flying above the stage.
Doja Cat Hosting
Doja Cat onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021. She rocked a black dress and dark blue gloves.
Ed Sheeran performs with his acoustic guitar
Ed Sheeran performs onstage at Pier 3 in Brooklyn for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. He played his acoustic guitar and rocked it.
Hailey Bieber introducing Kacey Musgraves
Hailey Bieber introduces a performance by Kacey Musgraves at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York. She was also spotted dancing to her husband Justin Bieber’s performance during the show.
