Hmm … Prince and David Bowie weren’t honored at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, August 28, causing confused and angry fans to wonder why the network opted out of paying tribute to the late music legends.
Throughout the night, several A-list musicians, including Beyoncé, Rihanna and Britney Spears, took the stage at the star-studded ceremony at New York City’s Madison Square Garden to deliver incredible performances. Social media users, however, pointed out that the VMAs essentially ignored Prince, who died at age 57 in April, and Bowie, who died at age 69 in January.
The Real cohost Loni Love tweeted a photo of the two icons on stage together during their heyday, writing, “No tribute to Prince and Bowie? Shame on #VMAs.”
No tribute to Prince and Bowie? Shame on #VMAs pic.twitter.com/5rOi5ti6ZD
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) August 29, 2016
“No mention of Prince at the VMAs last night. They should’ve at least done a moment of silence in his honor,” one fan of the “Purple Rain” singer wrote, while another user added, “No tribute to Bowie, no tribute to Prince. I know the #VMAs aren’t what they used to be but MTV WOULDN’T EXIST without these two [artists].”
Although MTV didn’t honor Bowie with a tribute performance, the network did posthumously nominate the “Heroes” singer-songwriter four times for two of his final music videos, “Lazarus” and “Blackstar,” the latter of which took home Best Art Direction.
Throughout their legendary careers, both Prince and Bowie won several VMAs. The Purple One took home four prizes, including Best Male Video for “U Got the Look” (1988) and Best Dance Video for “Cream” (1992). Ziggy Stardust also earned four VMAs over the years, including the 1984 Video Vanguard Award, Best Male Video for “China Girl” (1984) and the 2016 posthumous win.
When Michael Jackson died in June 2009, MTV dedicated that year’s VMAs ceremony to the late “Thriller” entertainer with a music video montage, a dance tribute and a performance by his younger sister Janet Jackson. The network also debuted the trailer for the 2009 documentary Michael Jackson’s This Is It at the end of the ceremony.
MTV has not yet responded to the fan speculation about Prince and Bowie.
