{"id":127912,"date":"2025-09-02T19:15:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T19:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/127912\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T19:15:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T19:15:21","slug":"25-of-the-most-painfully-awkward-moments-in-vmas-history-including-some-so-bad-that-they-cut-the-cameras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/127912\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Of The Most Painfully Awkward Moments In VMAs History \u2014 Including Some So Bad That They Cut The Cameras"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s no secret that the MTV Video Music Awards \u2014 which first took place in 1984<\/a> \u2014 has gifted us some of the most iconic moments<\/a> in pop culture history. Ahead of the 2025 ceremony on September 7, let\u2019s take a stroll down memory lane and remind ourselves of some of the most painfully awkward moments in VMAs history:<\/p>\n

1. Nicki Minaj called out Miley Cyrus<\/a> \u2014 who was hosting the show \u2014 live on air in 2015 after Miley said that Nicki was \u201cnot too kind\u201d for being upset that her song \u201cAnaconda\u201d hadn’t been nominated for Video of the Year. \u201cNow, back to… this bitch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press. Miley, what’s good?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Nicki<\/p>\n

Kevin Winter \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

2. That same year, Miley experienced a pretty awkward wardrobe malfunction<\/a>. During a backstage segment, Miley was filmed hiding behind a curtain that she held over her body \u2014 and when her grip loosened, her bare boob was exposed.<\/p>\n

\"Part-censored<\/p>\n

MTV<\/p>\n

3. Oddly enough, Nicki also experienced a fashion mishap the year prior. While performing \u201cBang Bang\u201d with Jessie J and Ariana Grande, Nicki expertly held her dress together<\/a> after it seemingly ripped down the middle.<\/p>\n

\"Nicki<\/p>\n

Tommaso Boddi \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Related: Dolly Parton Gave Sabrina Carpenter One Condition For Recording With Her, And It’s The Most Dolly Parton Thing Ever<\/a><\/p>\n

4. In 2013, Miley twerked on Robin Thicke<\/a> during her infamous performance, leaving everyone shocked \u2014 especially the Smiths.<\/p>\n

\"Miley<\/p>\n

Jeff Kravitz \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

\"Jaden,<\/p>\n

MTV<\/p>\n

5. When Britney Spears and Madonna famously kissed on stage<\/a> during their performance with Christina Aguilera in 2003, the cameras panned over to an unimpressed-looking Justin Timberlake (who, of course, broke up with Britney the year prior).<\/p>\n

\"Britney<\/p>\n

6. Speaking of Britney, she memorably referred to Michael Jackson as \u201cthe artist of the millennium\u201d before presenting him with a birthday cake at the 2002 VMAs, which took place on his birthday. However, Michael awkwardly misunderstood<\/a> and thought that he was receiving an actual \u201cArtist of the Millennium Award\u201d \u2014 which, of course, did not exist.<\/p>\n

\"Michael<\/p>\n

Frank Micelotta Archive \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

7. Last year, Chappell Roan was filmed seemingly yelling at a photographer<\/a> to \u201cShut the fuck up\u201d on the red carpet.<\/p>\n

Twitter: @concertleaks<\/a><\/p>\n

8. So many celebrities have been accused of lip-syncing during their VMAs performances, including Miley in 2020\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Miley<\/p>\n

9. \u2026Doja Cat<\/a> in 2021\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Doja<\/p>\n

Michael Loccisano \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Related: “You Just Didn\u2019t Realize It”: Jon Stewart Spotted Something Important About Trump That “MAGA World” Is Only Just Now Learning<\/a><\/p>\n

10. \u2026Anitta<\/a> in 2022\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Anitta<\/p>\n

Kevin Mazur \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

11. \u2026And Shakira<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\n

\"Shakira<\/p>\n

Mike Coppola \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

12. Back in 2009, Sasha Baron Cohen, while in his character Bruno, was flying through the venue with his butt cheeks exposed before landing on a very unimpressed Eminem<\/a>, who left immediately afterwards.<\/p>\n

\"Sacha<\/p>\n

Kevin Mazur \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

13. The same year, Lil Mama stormed on stage and crashed Jay-Z\u2019s performance<\/a> with Alicia Keys \u2014 much to Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s shock.<\/p>\n

\"Lil<\/p>\n

Kevin Mazur \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

14. In 2005, Fat Joe called out 50 Cent<\/a> while presenting Missy Elliott with an award.<\/p>\n

\"Fat<\/p>\n

Jason Squires \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Related: Here Are 34 Celebs On Their First Oscars Red Carpet Vs. Their Most Recent \u2014 Which Look Do You Prefer?<\/a><\/p>\n

15. Nicki Minaj butchered Dixie D’Amelio’s name<\/a> while introducing her on stage at the 2022 show.<\/p>\n

\"Nicki<\/p>\n

Arturo Holmes \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

16. Reporter Jamila Mustafa had a very awkward comment<\/a> when asked if she liked Lil Nas X’s look in 2021.<\/p>\n

\"Jamila<\/p>\n

Bryan Bedder \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

17. That same year, Conor McGregor and Machine Gun Kelly got into an altercation<\/a> on the red carpet.<\/p>\n

\"Conor<\/p>\n

Jeff Kravitz \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

18. Speaking of MGK, he and Megan Fox did NOT shy away when it came to PDA<\/a> at the 2021 ceremony. Need I mention the awkward tongue touching<\/a>?<\/p>\n

\"Megan<\/p>\n

Jamie Mccarthy \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

19. In 2017, Fifth Harmony memorably shaded<\/a> ex-band member Camila Cabello during their performance of \u201cAngel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"4<\/p>\n

Jeff Kravitz \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

20. In 2016, Drake professed his love for Rihanna while presenting her with the Video Vanguard Award \u2014 and years later, Rihanna admitted that she found the moment \u201cuncomfortable.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Drake<\/p>\n

Kevin Mazur \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

21. Let\u2019s throw it all the way back to the 1995 show, when a very drunk Courtney Love threw her makeup compact<\/a> at Madonna mid-interview. \u201cCourtney Love is in dire need of attention right now,\u201d Madonna awkwardly said.<\/p>\n

\"Courtney<\/p>\n

Mitchell Gerber \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Related: 23 Celebs Who Went From Pretty Beloved To Absolutely Hated In The Blink Of An Eye<\/a><\/p>\n

22. After seemingly<\/a> mouthing “shut the fuck up” while One Direction were speaking on stage, Taylor Swift made a dig at her ex Harry Styles<\/a> while accepting the Best Female Video award for her song “I Knew You Were Trouble” in 2013. She said, \u201cThis is just awesome. I also want to thank the person who inspired this song, who knows exactly who he is, because now I got one of these, thank you so much!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Taylor<\/p>\n

Andrew H. Walker \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

23. Billie Eilish was accused of shading Jennifer Lopez<\/a> in 2021 after she was filmed pulling a very unimpressed face at J.Lo\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Jason Kempin \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

24. In a somewhat similar vein, Selena Gomez was filmed scrunching her face at Chris Brown\u2019s nomination<\/a> in the Best R&B category at the 2023 show.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Doug Peters – Pa Images \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

25. Finally, and arguably the most awkward VMA moment of all time, Kanye West stormed on stage<\/a> and interrupted Taylor Swift while she was in the middle of accepting the award for Best Female Video in 2009. He said, \u201cYo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Beyonc\u00e9 had one of the best videos of all time\u201d \u2014 while the cameras aptly panned over to Beyonc\u00e9, who looked as shocked as the rest of us.<\/p>\n

\"Kanye<\/p>\n

Kevin Mazur \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Which of these moments do you find most awkward? Or, is there another that comes to mind? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n

You can watch the 2025 VMAs on September 7, at 8 p.m. ET\/5 p.m. PT on CBS, MTV, or via Paramount+ in the US.<\/p>\n

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