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4 V O X M A G A Z I N E . C O M | 0 9 . 2 5 . 1 4 0 9 . 2 5 . 1 4 | V O X M A G A Z I N E . C O M 5
They don’t call her Queen Bey for nothing.
Beyonce not only stole the show at the MTV Video Music Awards on
Sunday night with many of the world’s top female pop stars in attendance
hustling for our attention, she used the moment to erase the cynical cloud
around her family status with an adorable appearance by daughter Blue Ivy
and doting husband Jay Z to finish off the night.
“MTV, welcome to my world,” Beyonce said near the top of her
performance, and for the next 15 minutes it was a complete takeover.
The performance was mesmerizing television, from the seemingly
endless medley of hits to the extended look at the adorable Blue Ivy, who
wore a gold bow in her hair and clapped her hands and said, “Yea, Mommy,”
after Jay Z carried her onstage while presenting her mother with MTV’s
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award.
Here’s a close up on the night’s most interesting moments.You know, the
things we’ll be talking about Monday morning, for better or for worse:
NICKI ALL NIGHT
Much of the focus prior to Beyonce’s arrival was on Nicki Minaj — and
her booty. She helped open the show with a snake-themed performance
P E R F O R M A N C E S
CHRIS TALBOTT
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of “Anaconda” that included a lot of attention on Minaj’s most jiggly asset.
Then after what appeared to be an honest wardrobe malfunction during
her subsequent team up with Ariana Grande and Jessie J — “We ran out
of time getting the dress zipped up,” she said afterward — things got really
booty-centric when she joined Usher on stage for “She Came to Give It to
You.” Usher dropped to his knee while playing the bass after Minaj appeared
on stage, then banged his head against her rear end in a new version of the
bump. He leapt to his feet and gave her a smack before she walked away.
THE FRONT ROW
You’ve got to feel bad for Riff Raff. The Houston rapper arrived on the
red carpet in a Lamborghini with Katy Perry in the passenger seat. But
it was clear she was way more into Sam Smith, spending the night with
the pop star’s arm draped over his shoulder. Other unexpected pairs
who spent the night seated together along the front row included Taylor
Swift and Lorde, who celebrated their friendship by dancing the night
away together. Lorde even introduced Swift’s performance of “Shake It
Off”: “On the surface, this next performer and I are nothing alike. She’s
tall, blonde and doesn’t wear quite this much black. But we both base
our art on the things that delight, terrify and confound us, and for that
I’m grateful she exists.”
SAM SLAYS
Perry wasn’t the only attendee fixated on Smith.The VMAs have a
reputation for over-the-top moments, and there were plenty. But the quiet,
commanding performance of “Stay With Me” by the British singer drew the
night’s first — and most sincere — standing ovation.
SERIOUS MOMENTS
The VMAs aren’t known for political statements, but some of Sunday’s
most memorable moments came with messages. Common asked for a
moment of silence to remember 18-year-old Michael Brown, killed by a
police officer in Ferguson, Missouri: “The people in Ferguson and St. Louis
and communities across the country have used their voices to call for
justice and change to let everyone know that each and every one of our lives
matters.”The camera showed members of the crowd with heads bowed,
including Snoop Dogg,
who flashed a peace
sign. Later, Miley Cyrus
engineered her own
powerful statement
when she sent a
homeless youth named
Jesse to the stage to
accept her video of the
year award. He gave
an impassioned speech
asking viewers to help
as Cyrus tearfully looked
on. MTV also paid tribute
to late actor-comedian
Robin Williams with a
short photo montage.
WE ARE FAMILY
The tenor of the night changed when Beyonce took the stage and things
got worshipful by the end of her set as she led a thousands-strong sing-
along on “XO” that included most everyone giddily dancing. And she didn’t
waste the moment, using it to bat away persistent rumors that her marriage
is headed for divorce. “I am filled with so much gratitude,” Beyonce said as
the crowd chanted her name. She turned to her family and said, “I just thank
God for this moment. I love you all so much. Blue, I love you. My beloved, I
love you.”
Nicki Minaj performs at the MTV Video Music Awards atThe Forum on Aug. 24.
The 2014 MTV Video Music Awards featured memorable moments and breathtaking performances
Sam Smith performs his chart-topping song “Stay” at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Beyonce on stage hugs Jay Z and their daughter Blue Ivy as she accepts the Video
Vanguard Award after her 12-song medley to close out the evening.
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A Robin Williams tribute appears on screen at the MTV
Video Music Awards.William’s tribute was among the
more solemn moments of this year’s telecast.
PHOTOS:CHRISPIZZELLO,MATTSAYLES.
PHOTOS:CHRISPIZZELLO,MATTSAYLES.
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