The Wildest, Most Iconic MTV VMAs Moments of All Time

Credit: Kevin Kane/WireImage

The Wildest, Most Iconic MTV VMAs Moments of All Time

From Britney Spears’ sexy snake dance in 2001 to Miley Cyrus’ Robin Thicke–assisted twerk-a-thon in 2013, the MTV Video Music Awards are known for their wild, iconic moments. Click through to relive the show’s most insane happenings ever.

Credit: Kevin Kane/WireImage

The Wildest, Most Iconic MTV VMAs Moments of All Time

From Britney Spears’ sexy snake dance in 2001 to Miley Cyrus’ Robin Thicke–assisted twerk-a-thon in 2013, the MTV Video Music Awards are known for their wild, iconic moments. Click through to relive the show’s most insane happenings ever.

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Madonna Electrifies the World With ‘Like a Virgin,’ 1984

At the VMAs’ inaugural show in 1984, Madonna captivated the star-studded crowd and at-home audiences with her sexy performance of “Like a Virgin.” The future superstar sang from the top of a giant wedding cake and writhed around stage in a lingerie-inspired bridal gown — cementing her place in the pop culture pantheon. 

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MJ and Lisa Marie Presley’s Passionate PDA, 1994

In 1994, Michael Jackson and then-wife Lisa Marie Presley (i.e., daughter of the late King of Rock ’n’ Roll, Elvis Presley) flaunted their unexpected romance for all to see at the VMAs. The pair — who later starred together in Jackson’s 1995 “You Are Not Alone” music video — shared a passionate onstage smooch. Their kiss was met with both roaring applause from the audience and negative reactions from at-home viewers. They split in 1996.

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Fiona Apple Says ‘This World Is Bulls--t’ Mid–Acceptance Speech, 1997

When Fiona Apple was presented with the Best New Artist award at the 1997 VMAs, she took a swipe at the music industry as a whole and declared, “This world is bulls--t!” Toward the end of her speech, the “Criminal” singer — who made sure to thank her mom — stated, “You shouldn’t model your life on what we think is cool, and what we’re wearing and what we’re saying and everything. Go with yourself." 

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Rose McGowan Bares All, 1998

In 1998, Rose McGowan walked the VMAs red carpet with then-beau Marilyn Manson. The actress freed her nipples and showed off her entire backside in a completely sheer, chain-link gown.

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Diana Ross Makes Friends With Lil’ Kim’s Bare Breast, 1999

Well, hello there! Lil’ Kim, who wore a much-buzzed-about one-shouldered purple jumpsuit that left her left breast completely exposed (aside from a pasty) to the 1999 VMAs, presented the Best Hip Hop Video award alongside Diana Ross. Unable to resist copping a feel, Ross memorably gave the rapper’s boob a little jiggle. 

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Michael Jackson Accepts an Imaginary Award, 2002

The 2002 VMAs happened to fall close to Michael Jackson’s 44th birthday, August 29. To honor the King of Pop, Britney Spears presented him with some sweet wishes and a multitiered cake. Despite the simple celebration, the late superstar believed he was receiving the (nonexistent) “Artist of the Millennium” award after he overheard Spears refer to him as such backstage.

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Britney and Madonna’s Smooch Seen ’Round the World, 2003

At the 2003 VMAs, Madonna opened the show with the help of pop descendants Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. The trio sang a medley, which included Madge’s hits “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood.” Despite epic theatrics and synchronized dance moves, Madonna and Britney’s passionate kiss eclipsed the entire performance — as well as Aguilera’s participation.

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Britney’s Disastrous ‘Comeback,’ 2007

After months of personal setbacks — including a highly publicized head-shaving breakdown — Britney Spears opened the 2007 VMAs with a shaky rendition of her song “Gimme More,” the first single from her iconic album Blackout. Though the performance was meant to mark the beginning of a comeback, the entertainer’s lack of enthusiasm and messy look made it clear that Spears had a long way to go before reclaiming her throne as the Princess of Pop.

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Lady Gaga’s Bloody Performance of ‘Paparazzi,’ 2009

Lady Gaga performed her single “Paparazzi” at the VMAs in 2009. After slaying the stage with perfectly executed choreography with her backup dancers, the eccentric pop star faked her own death. She ended her set by hanging from a noose covered in fake blood.

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Kanye West Bum-Rushes Taylor Swift’s Winning Speech, 2009

Taylor Swift won the award for Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me” at the 2009 VMAs, but her acceptance speech was infamously interrupted by Kanye West. The “Stronger” rapper bum-rushed the stage and yelled, “Imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!” In response to the incident — which sparked a years-long feud — Queen Bey allowed Swift to address her win again when the Destiny’s Child alum’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” visual was named Video of the Year.

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Lil Mama Crashes Jay Z and Alicia Keys’ Performance, 2009

A lil awkward! Lil Mama crashed Jay Z and Alicia Keys’ performance of their hit “Empire State of Mind” at the 2009 VMAs. Rather than engage with the “Lip Gloss” rapper, Jay Z and Keys ignored her when she jumped on the stage and tried to take part in their set.   

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Lady Gaga’s Meaty Ensemble, 2010

In 2010, Lady Gaga turned heads at the VMAs for her unexpected choice in red carpet attire. Rather than rocking a designer gown, the pop diva wore a dress made out of more than 40 pounds of thin-cut Argentinian beef. She later told Ellen DeGeneres that she wore the number to make a statement: “I am not a piece of meat.” After undergoing a jerky-style preservation process, the ensemble was put on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Beyonce Reveals Her Baby Bump Mid-Performance, 2011

Beyoncé took the stage at the 2011 VMAs to perform her track “Love on Top,” during which she cradled her baby bump to announce her pregnancy with daughter Blue Ivy (she was born in February 2012) to the world.

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Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke’s Twerk-a-Thon, 2013

In 2013, a newly sexed-up Miley Cyrus teamed with Robin Thicke for a twerk-heavy performance of the Hannah Montana alum’s single “We Can’t Stop” and the R&B crooner’s massively popular hit “Blurred Lines.” Their nearly NSFW gyrations — and 16-year age difference — caused a media firestorm.

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Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus Get Into a Girl Fight, 2015

What’s good? Nothing at all, apparently — at least not when it comes to enemies Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus. After Cyrus called out Minaj in a New York Times interview for engaging in a Twitter war with Taylor Swift, the rapper fired back at the former Disney star after accepting the 2015 VMA for Best Hip Hop Video. “And now back to this bitch that had a lot to say about me in the press. Miley, what’s good?” she infamously snarled at Cyrus, who hosted the show that year.

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Yeezy and T. Swift Make Up, 2015

Despite Kanye West bum-rushing Taylor Swift’s 2009 VMAs acceptance speech, the duo seemed to put their differences aside at the 2015 VMAs when the “Bad Blood” songstress presented West with the prestigious Video Vanguard Award. “I first met Kanye West six years ago — at this show, actually!” she joked. “Since then, it seemed like everybody in the world knew about our infamous encounter at the VMAs.” Though they have butted heads again since then, West and Swift hugged it out at the end of the night.

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Beyoncé Passes Madonna With Most VMAs, 2016

During the 2016 ceremony, Beyoncé took home eight awards, including Video of the Year for “Formation.” The wins brought her career total to 26, overtaking Madonna’s previous record of 20.

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Drake Declares His Love for Rihanna on Stage, 2016

Drake delivered a heartfelt speech while presenting on-off girlfriend Rihanna with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 VMAs. “She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old,” he confessed. “She’s one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life, I’ve looked up to her even though she’s younger than me. She’s a living, breathing legend in our industry.”

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Taylor Swift Premieres 'Look What You Made Me Do' Video, 2017

Count on Taylor Swift to steal the show without even attending. During the 2017 VMAs hosted by Katy Perry, everyone was talking about the premiere of Swift's highly anticipated, edgy new video for "Look What You Made Me Do."

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Pink’s Heartfelt Speech About Her Daughter Willow, 2017

Pink got personal while accepting the Video Vanguard Award during the 2017 show. She spoke about self-image and the legacy of performers who came before her while her daughter, Willow, watched from the audience. Pink shared a story about how her 6-year-old felt that she looked “like a boy with long hair.” Her mom’s response? “Baby girl, we don’t change. We take the gravel and a shell, and we make a pearl. And we help other people to change so they can see more kinds of beauty.”

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Jennifer Lopez's Epic Performance, 2018

Jennifer Lopez got the crowd on their feet during her performance the same year she accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Lopez belted out a medley of her most popular songs, and was joined on stage by Ja Rule for “I’m Real” and “Ain’t It Funny," and later DJ Khaled for “Dinero.”