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Miss the 2016 MTV VMAs? Our By-the-Minute Recap (Winners, Performances, Reactions and More!)

This is what you came for! The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards did not disappoint: Beyoncé owned the night, Drake loves Rihanna, Britney Spears is back, and Kanye West … did whatever it is that Kanye West did. (Translation: Pray for those sheep.)

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

Relive every amazing/hilarious/what-the-heck-was-that moment in Us Weekly‘s minute-by-minute recap, including all the winners, performance videos and social media reactions. (Start at the bottom of the post to read it in chronological order!)

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

11:54 p.m. ET: Rihanna showed her appreciation for Drake’s adorable speech with a thank-you kiss that we’re going to need a cold shower to recover from. She then pointed out that she’s 28 because she wants everyone in America to feel like underachievers and question their life choices. She also thanked Drake for his “amazing” introduction, although at that point, we had already gone back to that kiss and were too busy replaying it over and over to catch anything else she said. Our bad.

Related: PHOTOS: Rihanna's Red Carpet Style Evolution

11:50 p.m. ET: Drake just said about Rihanna, “She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old.” OK, we definitely have no pulse. Please remember us fondly.

11:49 p.m. ET: Drake just said “it gets a little awkward” when RiRi tries to handle her own fashion choices. Whoa, dude. No offense, but should a guy who danced in the “Hotline Bling” video really being lecturing anyone about not being awkward?

11:47 p.m. ET: Drake is here. Rihanna is here. Someone needs to check Us for a pulse because this is basically too much for any living human to handle.

11:41 p.m. ET: Rihanna took the stage for “Stay,” followed by “Love on the Brain,” and she is really pushing the boundaries of what you can do with a trench coat. Your move, Inspector Gadget.

Related: PHOTOS: Beyonce's Hair Evolution

11:32 p.m. ET: She’s got a Moonman in her bag! Beyoncé nabbed Video of the Year for “Formation,” and the queen of the night finished her emotional victory speech with, “I dedicate this award to the people of New Orleans.”

11:32 p.m. ET: A little too far? The crowd groaned and appeared to not know what to make of Fallon’s quip about Lochte having to choose Video of the Year: “I couldn’t tell you even if there was a gun to my head.” 

11:31 p.m. ET: Just say jeah! Michael Phelps could not even when Jimmy Fallon took the stage as embattled swimmer Ryan Lochte, replete with the terrible hair. “I directed all five nominees for Video of the Year,” said Fallon-as-Lochte. “I had a 30-way with Kanye West. … I’m Reezy with the good hair.”

11:23 p.m. ET: Can you ever get enough underboob? After the “Fade” video fulfilled what would be most normal people’s nightly quota for it, Halsey added her own contribution, thanks to her revealing top while performing her Chainsmokers hit “Closer.”

11:19 p.m. ET: So much happy Kanye tonight! The rapper shook hands with a DNCE member as the band walked by to pick up the best new artist award, and the “Famous” hitmaker appeared even more excited about the win than Joe Jonas was. Luckily, Nick Jonas — who was cheering from the audience — more than made up for his big bro’s lack of emotion.

11:18 p.m. ET: Thank goodness Joe Jonas just earned the best new artist award for DNCE, since he could really use a little attention. (Nothing says “new” like a singer who has basically never been out of the limelight in the past 11 years, right?)

11:11 p.m. ET: Another Rihanna performance, another very satisfied Kanye. Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money” performance seemed to earn the rapper’s approval, as he gave one of his patented is-this-real-or-is-he-just-trolling-us-all-right-now grins at the end. (#KanyeSmiles) But it appeared that Kardashian wasn’t quite as enthralled as her man, as she was seen Snapchatting with her back to the stage. Put the phone down, Kim!

11:02 p.m. ET: When life gives you lemons, make Moonmen! No one who just witnessed her impeccable performance moments ago could possibly have been surprised that Beyoncé nabbed the female video prize for “Hold Up.” Luckily, there were no baseball bats on the premises.

Related: PHOTOS: Beyonce's Most Bootylicious Looks: From Destiny's Child to Drunk in Love

11:01 p.m. ET: Miss you, Gabby! The Final Five gymnasts took the stage to another “USA!” chant, as Simone Biles announced that Gabby Douglas is MIA due to medical issues. (Speedy recovery!) And OMG, how cute was Laurie Hernandez when she giggled that they love all of this year’s nominated singers? The feeling is definitely mutual, Laurie. 

10:54 p.m. ET: Britney looked and sounded incredible on “Make Me … ,” whipping her hair around from the floor while revealing her amazing physique in a yellow outfit that we could not stop staring at. That said, whether she was actually singing on stage at the ceremony is a topic for a different day. (She does know that “Carpool Karaoke” is over, right? Just checkin’.)

10:48 p.m. ET: Not quite as memorable as her husband, but perhaps that’s not a bad thing. (Seriously, about those sheep: Should someone notify PETA? We’re concerned.) Kim Kardashian was on stage to present one of the night’s most anticipated moments: Britney Spears’ first VMAs performance since her infamous 2007 one. We’re here for you, Brit.

10:44 p.m. ET: They’re worth it. Fifth Harmony nabbed the song of summer prize for “All in My Head (Flex),” their collaboration with Fetty Wap.

10:38 p.m. ET: “Thank you, God. Thank you, ladies.” This is how Beyoncé capped off her unbelievable medley/mini-concert, ending with “Formation.” (We’re like, “Um, no, thank YOU.”) The tune included her dancers lying on the ground in the female symbol, proving once and for all who runs the world. As Lizard Sheeple said, it was “too much goodness.”

10:31 p.m. ET: Kiss it and make it better! Beyoncé offered an air smooch after uttering her now-iconic “Becky with the good hair” line in “Sorry.” (Perhaps that one was intended for Jay Z? Or maybe just her adorable tyke, Blue?) Bey then donned an incredible fur coat and did some impressive head-banging during her fired-up rendition of “Don’t Hurt Yourself.” And yes, there was actual fire because it’s Beyoncé. Enough said.

10:28 p.m. ET: Cameraperson down! Bey swings a bat and seemingly smashes MTV’s equipment, showcasing the baseball prowess she first demonstrated in the “Hold Up” portion of Lemonade. Needless to say, this performance is a home run. 

10:25 p.m. ET: No such thing as enough fog. Beyoncé performs “Pray to Catch Me” with powerful choreography suggesting people getting shot and killed around her. Also, her cape game right now is top-notch. 

10:22 p.m. ET: IT’S HAPPENING, PEOPLE. BEYONCÉ IS PERFORMING. THE QUEEN IS HERE. WE’RE NOT LOSING CONTROL — YOU’RE THE ONE WHO’S LOSING CONTROL, OK?

Related: PHOTOS: Beyonce's Most Memorable Music Video Looks!

10:11 p.m. ET: Nick Jonas is singing “Bacon” from a restaurant kitchen. Don’t tell the health inspector.

10:02 p.m. ET: If we were MTV, we would just end the show right there. Can anything top whatever it was that we all just collectively witnessed? (Are you we all cats, Kanye? Is that what you’re telling Us?) That said, the show must go on, so Rihanna was back — in a fur-lined top — to perform “Work.” And the man of the hour himself, West, offered a wide smile of approval for RiRi at the end of the tune. We’re assuming this means he gives her performance five out of five sheep.

9:59 p.m. ET: Sorry, but sheep? We’re just trying to process. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves. 

9:58 p.m. ET: Who else is totally confused, right? Just Us? West debuted his new video for “Fade,” which had a very strong “porn parody of Flashdance” vibe, complete with showering, sheep and plenty of underboob. And the end of the video revealed that the woman is apparently a cat. Suddenly, we have a need to belt out, “Memory, all alone in the moonlight.”

9:54 p.m. ET: West named a very limited list of his idols, which of course included his own name. Of course. Oh, and he said “bro” a lot.

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrity Feuds: The Biggest Ever!

9:52 p.m. ET: You knew he was going to go there. He said about his infamous Taylor Swift feud: “I love all y’all. That’s why I called her.” If only Taylor were in the audience for what would presumably be an amazing reaction face.

9:52 p.m. ET: West quipped about ex-girlfriend Amber Rose: “I see you, Amber.” He then called wife Kim Kardashian a “G.” Yes, this is getting amazing.

9:51 p.m. ET: West said about his “Famous” video: “I put Ray J in there, bro. This is fame, bro.” Ray J’s 15 minutes just won’t end, will they?

9:49 p.m. ET: West is here to talk. We’re sure he’ll be as levelheaded as usual.

9:44 p.m. ET: Show a little (Kevin) Hart. Pharoah was back, this time portraying the diminutive comedian at a movie theater concessions stand. “Me and The Rock got 12 movies coming out next month,” Pharoah-as-Hart quipped.

9:37 p.m. ET: Making a splash! The crowd broke into a “USA, USA” chant as Olympic hero Michael Phelps took the stage to introduce Future‘s performance. The swimmer pointed out that he was listening to the rapper’s “Stick Talk” during that infamous Rio “death glare” at South African rival Chad Le Clos. Luckily, the athlete was all smiles tonight.

9:35 p.m. ET: Alicia Keys took the stage to pay homage to the 53rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech by belting out a powerful poem a cappella

She then presented best male video to Calvin Harris and Rihanna’s “This Is What You Came For.” Harris offered a few thank yous in a taped speech — but one person who notably did not get a shout-out was ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift. (Last month, Harris launched a Twitter tirade against the “Wildest Dreams” singer after news broke that she was an uncredited songwriter on “This Is What You Came For.”) Let’s hope Tom Hiddleston is nearby to give her a hug.

9:27 p.m. ET: Wordplay alert. The Shamester’s take on the Ariana-Nicki duet? “Life goals: Be an exercise bike,” he offered. Lizard Sheeple chimed in with, “Nicki Minaj is a very cunning linguist.” Uh, let’s move on, shall we?

Related: PHOTOS: Britney Spears' Best and Worst VMA Looks

9:25 p.m. ET: Who doesn’t get their cardio on while wearing stiletto boots and a visor that appears to be have been swiped from an old-timey accountant? Because this was Ariana Grande‘s attire during a sweat-inducing, treadmill-filled performance of “Side to Side.” She was later joined on the song by Nicki Minaj, and both ladies brought it vocally. Plus, the footwear game on display by the two of them was second to none.

9:19 p.m. ET: Who else is craving a can of Diet Drake with lime? Lizard Sheeple and The Shamester were back with their nonsenical (by which we mean, hilarious) commentary. Shamester said about best new artist nominee Bryson Tiller, “Bryson Tiller’s name is so white, he almost got booked by the RNC.” Scott Baio would be proud. 

9:11 p.m. ET:  Mo’ Moonmans, mo’ problems? Diddy was on hand to present the best hip-hop prize to Drake (who sadly did not attend) for “Hotline Bling.” Kardashian clearly did not look thrilled when the camera panned to her, and indeed one of the losers in the category was Desiigner‘s “Panda,” featuring a West sample.

Related: MTV VMAs 2016: Nominees, Complete Winners List

9:08 p.m. ET: Who needs Saturday Night Live? The NBC sketch show’s recently fired Jay Pharoah dropped by to impersonate West, saying about the Yeezy fashion line: “It’s a cross between dirty dishrags and pure awesomeness.”

9:05 p.m. ET: Key and Peele are getting corny. The pair portrayed commentators Lizard Sheeple and The Shamester, with Lizard (Keegan-Michael Key) asking, “When ducks take selfies, do they make ‘human mouth’?” Shamester (Jordan Peele) followed up with a quip about Kim Kardashian before saying about Rihanna’s sexy performance: “I just found a rush of blood in a soapless place.”

9 p.m. ET: RiRi is the only girl on the stage — well, not counting her many, many backup dancers, natch. Rihanna kicked off the show in epic fashion, with a pink-hued, adorably choreographed medley including “Don’t Stop the Music,” “We Found Love” and “Where Have You Been.” And she was (sort of) singing!

8:55 p.m. ET: Moonman with the good hair! Beyoncé, Kanye West, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Ariana Grande and more of music’s biggest names are set to deliver head-turning performances at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, and Us Weekly will be live-blogging the entire event to update you on every amazing/hilarious/what-the-heck-was-that moment.

The 33rd annual VMAs ceremony unfolds live from the storied New York City venue on Sunday, August 28. Among the expected highlights are Spears delivering the world premiere performance of her new hit “Make Me … ,” and Rihanna belting out a slew of tunes as the recipient of the Video Vanguard prize. 

Related: PHOTOS: Britney Spears' Most Iconic Moments: From a Sexy School Uniform to Dancing With a Snake and More

Other stars confirmed to perform are Future, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande, who will team up on “Side to Side.” 

Related: PHOTOS: Beyonce's Best Instagram Style

Beyoncé leads the pack with 11 nominations, and multiple sources report that the Lemonade star will perform as well. West is also expected to deliver a rendition of his controversial track “Famous.”

Rihanna
Rihanna performs at the 2016 VMAs. Kevin Mazur/WireImage

The confirmed list of presenters at the ceremony includes Diddy, Alicia Keys, Ansel Elgort, Bebe Rexha, Fifth Harmony, Jaden Smith, Kim Kardashian, Rita Ora, Shameik Moore and Tove Lo. DJ Khaled is hosting the preshow and will provide commentary throughout the evening.

Keep refreshing this post throughout the telecast for the full winners list, video footage of the most memorable performances and moments, social media reactions to the biggest surprises and snubs, and exclusive behind-the-scenes reporting.

The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards airs live from Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, August 28, at 9 p.m. ET.

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