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MTV VMAs 2016: Top Moments and Highlights

What a show! The 2016 MTV VMAs were one for the books, as Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Rihanna and more slayed their performances at NYC’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, August 28.

In case you missed it (or just want to relive the wild night), here are all the top moments and highlights from this year’s VMAs. Watch some in the video above, and check our live blog for a minute-by-minute recap of the whole event! 

Related: PHOTOS: MTV VMAs 2016: Best Dressed Stars on the Red Carpet

1. Rihanna Performs Four Phenomenal Medleys, Drake Declares His Love

Rihanna put on quite the show and performed some of her biggest hits from her entire career. With four separate performances that opened and closed the evening, fans were treated to songs including “Bitch Better Have My Money,” “Pon de Replay” and “Diamonds.”

Rihanna at the 2016 VMAs
Rihanna performs during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Later, she accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award from Drake, who declared his love for Rihanna in his introduction. “She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old,” he told the crowd.

Drake and Rihanna at the MTV VMAs
Drake presents Rihanna with the the Video Vanguard Award during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

2. Kanye West Brings Up Taylor Swift (Again!) During Rant, Debuts Bizarre “Fade” Video

With four minutes to do whatever he wanted, Kanye West, of course, went on a rambling rant about a variety of topics. He gave shout-outs to his ex Amber Rose and his nemesis Taylor Swift. “People say, ‘Oh, but you have that beef with Taylor,’ but I love all y’all — that’s why I called her,” he told the crowd, referencing their “Famous” feud over his controversial lyrics.

Related: PHOTOS: The 2016 MTV VMAs’ Red Carpet Fashion: See What the Stars Wore

The rapper also premiered his latest music video featuring a basically naked Teyana Taylor doing Flashdance-style dance moves and getting it on with her fiancé, Iman Shumpert, before her face transforms into a cat’s face. You have to see it for yourself.

3. Calvin Harris Snubs Taylor Swift in Acceptance Speech

Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris

Taylor Swift didn’t even attend the VMAs and she’s still making headlines. Calvin Harris won Best Male Video for “This Is What You Came For,” which his ex-girlfriend cowrote and sang backup on. Although he thanked Rihanna, who’s featured on the track, Swift didn’t get a mention.

Related: PHOTOS: The MTV VMAs’ Wildest, Most Iconic Moments of All Time

4. Beyoncé Stuns the World With Lemonade Performance

Beyonce
Beyonce performs on stage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Bow down! Beyoncé swept the VMAs, taking home numerous awards, including Video of the Year for “Formation.” Queen Bey performed five songs from her visual album Lemonade and absolutely crushed it. There was even a literal mic drop at the end.

5. Britney Spears Makes Her VMAs Comeback

Britney Spears
Britney Spears performs on stage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

We can’t believe how far she’s come! Britney Spears returned to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2007 for a performance of her hit “Make Me …” with G-Eazy, and she looked flawless in a plunging, glittery yellow bodysuit.

Related: PHOTOS: MTV Video Music Awards: Relive the Wildest Red Carpet Styles of All Time!

Bonus! The Final Five Gymnasts Are America’s Sweethearts

Madison Kocian, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez
Members of the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team — Madison Kocian, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez — present an award at the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards on Aug. 28, 2016, in New York City.

The Final Five were down to four at the VMAs due to Gabby Douglas’ recent health issues, but Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian were giddy as they presented Beyoncé with Best Female Video. They looked like they were having the best night ever — and even got some pretty great celebrity selfies!

Christina Garibaldi, Ian Drew, and Travis Cronin dished on all the latest during Us Weekly‘s Facebook Live News Update.  Check it out!

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