The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) has become an annual ceremony that many musicians and their fans constantly look forward to.
From Britney Spears’ iconic snake moment and Lady Gaga’s awe-inspiring “Paparazzi” performance, to Michael Jackson’s iconic medley performance in 1995, the VMA stage has become home to several of the most memorable moments in music history. These live performances have become renowned aspects of the show’s festivities, with everyone looking forward to seeing the year’s curated lineup of acts who are set to take the stage in their own unique way.
As with every year, this year’s MTV VMA show was no exception to putting on one hell of a show, with acts like Katy Perry, Megan Thee Stallion, LE SSERAFIM, Lisa, Chappell Roan, Teddy Swims, LL Cool J, Eminem and more bringing down the house at the UBS Arena in New York City. With what may have been one of the best renditions of the VMAs in years, Billboard Philippines lists down our seven picks for the best performances of the night — even noting the ones that have the potential to be revered as iconic as time goes by.
Benson Boone
Benson Boone’s chart-topping hit “Beautiful Things” might not hint at his high-energy stage presence, but boy was he able to put on one of the night’s most impressive performances.
Though he might not be a household name in the Philippines, Boone’s enthusiasm and impressive live vocals channeled all the elements that Filipino listeners love from their performers. His glittery blue onesie (with a plunging V-neck) turned heads from all corners of the arena — with all eyes fully tuned in as he executed a flawless forward flip. Yet despite the acrobatic feats, Boone maintained a powerful and emotive vocal performance throughout — a sign of a promising career ahead.
Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion not only took the stage as the (wonderful) host of the 2024 VMAs, but she also delivered an electrifying medley from her latest album, the self-titled Megan.
The night kicked off with “Boa” and “B.A.S.” setting the tone for her chart-topping crowd-pleaser, “Hiss.” Yet it was the standout performance of “Mamushi” that truly captivated the audience. Embracing her love for Japanese culture (including anime!) Megan brought out Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba for an exhilarating and high-energy collaboration that left a lasting impression on everyone present — including a whole lot of their fellow musicians.
LE SSERAFIM
Even though the performance was part of the pre-show festivities, LE SSERAFIM impressed the audience with such a fun and energetic rendition of their latest B-side track, “1-800-hot-n-fun.”
Coming directly from the red carpet onto the stage, it was clear that the K-pop quintet was having quite a good time translating the song’s fun and flirty energy for the crowd, exuding a sense of it-girl confidence and swagger that allures people into their artistry. Given that their stage presence has always been one of their biggest strengths, it marked an impressive debut for the “CRAZY” hitmakers on the international VMA stage.
Eminem
With a troupe of Slim Shady lookalikes taking the stage during the opening of the 2024 VMAs, audiences knew that this year’s show meant business. Channeling the iconic energy of Eminem‘s legendary 2000 VMAs performance, Eminem set the tone for the 2024 VMAs with a dynamic rendition of “Houdini” –– blending Steve Miller Band influences into his high-octane delivery.
As the Slim Shady doppelgangers exited, Eminem seamlessly transitioned into a powerful performance of his introspective track “Somebody Save Me,” featuring a heartfelt video appearance by Jelly Roll. The performance reached a poignant moment as Eminem, deep in reflection, took a seat on a vintage couch, allowing Jelly Roll’s emotive vocals to beautifully conclude the song.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry has already proven herself as a modern-day pop icon, and her astounding medley at this year’s VMAs serves as further proof of that fact.
With the performance kicking off with Perry floating above in a glowing ring light on stage, the intricate mix of choreography and stuntwork to her hits “Dark Horse” and “E.T.” entranced everyone watching. The Video Vanguard Award winner also delivered the debut performance of her upcoming single, “I’m His, He’s Mine” featuring rapper Doechii, balancing out the nostalgic hits with something new and refreshing. Still, it doesn’t mean the audience enjoyed “California Girls” and “I Kissed A Girl” any less — especially by the time the performance concluded with a rousing rendition of the inspirational “Firework.”
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter‘s medley of her trifecta of hit singles from her recently released Short n’ Sweet album made for one of the night’s most impressive performances, showcasing her pitch-perfect live vocals paired with a theatrical flair that her Disney acting days have surely contributed to.
“Please, Please, Please,” “Espresso,” and “Taste” have never sounded better than here, as Carpenter’s sugary sweet live touch makes this one delectable medley that fans are sure to eat up. The bizarre yet intriguing space man and alien love triangle made for an enthralling saga to witness on stage, further proving that Carpenter demonstrates a unique artistic vision in addition to her undeniable talent. From what everyone has witnessed, there’s a new pop princess in town — and she’s not going to concede to anyone else at any time soon.
Chappell Roan
If we’re speaking on the topic of theatrics, there’s nobody else who managed to display such aspects with finesse like Chappell Roan did.
Set against the backdrop of a burning castle, the medieval-inspired performance to the chart-topping smash-hit “Good Luck, Babe!” brought Roan’s outside-the-box visuals and unique artistic vision onto the grand stage — making for one of the most memorable VMA performances in recent years. Her impassioned vocal performance was perfect to a tee, yet it was the uncompromising display of camp and couture that are set to linger across the minds of everyone who saw it.
Just as Lady Gaga was able to do her unforgettable “Paparazzi” performance, this is a debut performance that is sure to be remembered over the next few years as one of the VMAs’ best performances in years.