MTV VMAs 2019 highlights and red carpet: Taylor Swft, Camila Cabello perform; Lizzo speaks on body positivilty

Taylor Swift won Video of the Year and Ariana Grande was voted Artist of the Year in a girl-powered MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) show on 26 August, while rapper Cardi B won the Best Hip-hop video and newcomer Lizzo celebrated large women. Alternative pop singer Billie Eilish, 17, beat Lizzo to be named both Best New Artist and Best Breakthrough. Another newcomer, Lil Nas X, took home the song of the year award for ‘Old Town Road’, his country rap collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus that ruled for a record 19 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard singles chart. Check out Lil Nas X’s ‘futuristic’ performance of Old Town Road 

AYE PANINI✌️@lilnasx will forever be A LEGEND FOR THIS #VMA performance 🔥⚡️ pic.twitter.com/R4Edjpeum9

— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 27, 2019

Swift and Grande went into the ceremony in Newark, New Jersey, with a leading 10 nominations each. With Grande on tour in Europe and absent from the show on Monday, Swift provided the opening act with a rainbow-themed performance of her pro-LGBTQ single ‘ You Need to Calm Down ’ from her new, and already bestselling album _Lover_ .  Watch Taylor Swift’s opening performance here

Taylor Swift accepts the VMA for Video of the Year  Accepting the Video of the Year award, Swift said that since the VMAs are chosen by fans, “It means that you want a world where we are all treated equally under the law.”

CONGRATS @taylorswift13 on her SECOND time winning VIDEO OF THE YEAR #VMAs pic.twitter.com/l8TOibbTTr

— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 27, 2019

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‘You Need to Calm Down’ also brought the country-turned-pop singer the “video for good” statuette for songs that have raised awareness.

💗@taylorswift13 reunited the cast of the 'You Need To Calm Down' video to accept the #VMA for Video For Good 💗 pic.twitter.com/W1wJYGhO2b

— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 27, 2019

Cardi B accepts her award for Money with a hilarious acceptance speech Cardi B beat out a male-dominated lineup to win best hip-hop video for ‘Money’, and ended a delighted acceptance speech, saying, “Thank you, Jesus.”

CONGRATS AGAIN TO @iamcardib 🙏🙏🙏🙏#VMAs pic.twitter.com/Eg6l8ducqk

— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 27, 2019

The outspoken rapper was also on hand to present Missy Elliott with this year’s Vanguard Award for career achievement, calling her “a champion for women who want to be doing their own thing.” Best new artist contender Lizzo, enjoying a breakout year, performed her hits ‘Truth Hurts’ and ‘Good as Hell” in a yellow sequined bodysuit, accompanied by plus-size dancers, in a message for body positivity. She, along with her group of dancers, performed in front of an inflated derriere. She also delivered a powerful speech on self-love and body positivity in the midst of her performance. Here’s Lizzo VMA performance

I'm 100% sure I am in love with @Lizzo 🔥🔥#VMAs pic.twitter.com/WIYX38Vs7p

— MTV (@MTV) August 27, 2019

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello stoked reports that they are dating with a steamy live version of their romantic duet ‘Senorita’, which reached No 1 this week on the Billboard singles charts. The duet won the statuette for the Best Collaboration. Shawn Mendes and Camila performing Senorita together 

.@Camila_Cabello and @ShawnMendes performance gave us ALL the feels tonight! #VMAs pic.twitter.com/GmTnfm3aYU

— MTV (@MTV) August 27, 2019

SEÑORITAAAAAA! won best collaboration award!! thanks @vmas 😻😻😻 and thank u guys so much for tonight! we love you guys sooooooo much ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ED7H5Ic7nM

— camila (@Camila_Cabello) August 27, 2019

Korean boy band BTS won for Best K-Pop and Best Group, while the recently reunited Jonas Brothers, won best pop song for ‘ Sucker ’, and paid tribute to their New Jersey roots with a performance from Asbury Park. Check out Jonas Brothers’ performance at the VMAs

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ARE YOU READY FOR A BONUS @JONASBROTHERS PERFORMANCE???
all praise the #VMAStanCam https://t.co/683Z6ylMRi

— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 27, 2019

Monday’s VMAs had none of the stunts and draw-dropping moments that have become milestones in pop culture, including Madonna’s onstage smooch with Britney Spears in 2003, and Kanye West storming the stage in 2009 to tell Swift that her award should have gone to Beyonce. Check out the best looks from MTV VMAs 2019 red carpet [caption id=“attachment_7233361” align=“alignnone” width=“940”]  Taylor Swift. Image from Twitter[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_7233351” align=“alignnone” width=“940”]  Halsey. Image from Twitter[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_7233371” align=“alignnone” width=“940”]  Diplo[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_7233391” align=“alignnone” width=“940”]  Lizzo[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_7233381” align=“alignnone” width=“940”]  Lil Nas X[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_7233341” align=“alignnone” width=“940”]  Normani[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_7233491” align=“alignnone” width=“940”]  Camila Cabello[/caption] (With inputs from Reuters)