All the viral moments from the 2024 VMAs
From Chappell Roan slagging off a photographer to Sabrina Carpenter kissing an alien, the 2024 VMAs continued their tradition of creating viral moments which set the internet ablaze.
Chappell Roan’s run-in with a photographer
Presenting: the Chappell Roan redemption arc. It was only a few weeks back that the singer behind “Good Luck, Babe!” and “HOT TO GO” angered the internet with a TikTok blasting “entitled” fans for “stalking” her. But thanks to her appearance at last night’s VMAs, Roan probably got any defectors back. When she ascended the VMAs carpet ahead of the ceremony – on a 600 year old rug and wearing a 300 year old robe, we might add – she fired back at a photographer which told her to “shut the fuck up”. The singer songwriter swung around, told him to shut the fuck up, then said “not me, bitch”. According to the noise online, ‘twas a slay.
Sabrina Carpenter’s snog with an extra-terrestrial
When Sabrina Carpenter, the pint-sized singer behind pretty much every song of the summer, took to the VMAs stage for a mashup of “Please, Please, Please”, “Taste” and “Espresso”, she also found the time to share a kiss with a blue alien. A hastily pulled-together reference to Donald Trump’s insane comments earlier this week? Perhaps. Or a little nod to Britney Spears’ Mars-set video for “Oops!… I Did It Again”. Probably the latter. Either way, we liked it.
Chappell Roan’s acceptance speech
In which Chappell Roan won the award for Best New Artist and read a rather lovely acceptance speech from her dog-eared journal. “I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me, and I dedicate this to all the queer, trans people who inspire pop,” said Roan. “And for all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you. I understand you, because I’m one of you. And don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t be exactly who you want to be, bitch”. Another good Chappell moment came in the form of her heavily Joan of Arc-inspired performance of “Good Luck, Babe!”.
Addison Rae’s divisive look
The TikToker turned culty songstress – it was none other than cinematographer Sean Price Williams that directed her recent video for “Diet Pepsi” – is a skilled merchant in pulling controversial fits. Known for throwing on wacky archive piece after archive piece, Rae is constantly making waves in outfits that get normies frothing at the mouth and “It” girls salivating. This time round that came in the form of a white satin bra with puffy pillow cups, matching knickers and a voluminous tulle skirt. The fit was custom Miss Claire Sullivan and here at HUNGER we reckon the multi hyphenate – yes, she deserves that title – did it again. We might even say she can do no wrong.
Katy Perry’s controversial win
Ever since Katy Perry made a comeback with her panned song “Woman’s World”, it feels a little as if we can’t escape the “E.T.” singer. That continued last night when she took home the award for Most Iconic Performance for her 2013 rendition of “Roar”. Why was that controversial? Because it’s arguable (very arguable, in fact) that that’s just not true. What about Lady Gaga’s bloody performance of “Paparazzi” back in 2009? What about the kiss between Madonna and Britney Spears that had Justin Timberlake squirming in his seat in the audience back in 2003? And what about Miss Spears’ performance with a snake? “[The VMAs] aint even hiding how rigged they are,” said one user on X. We concur. And we think she should stick to assisting in her husband’s skydiving pursuits. Yes, really: Orlando Bloom is into skydiving and made a rather mind-numbing series about it. More on that, here.
Taylor Swift’s SIX-esque fit
Stick with us for this one: Taylor Swift’s VMAs outfit made her look a lot like one of the characters from SIX, the West End show about Henry VIII’s wives. That’s all we’ve really got to say on the matter. I guess if we were to say something poignant, it would be that (unlike Miss Addison Rae) the “Karma” singer seems to be physically incapable of looking cool. See also: her outfit for the GRAMMYs.
Referencial looks upon referencial looks
“I give it two more years of red carpets before the girlies completely run out of looks to reference,” said one X user in regards to Tate McCrae’s VMAs outfit. Tate McCrae’s black lace number was apparently a little nod to a look worn by Britney Spears back in 2001, and it didn’t stop there when it came to pop girlies referencing other pop girlies. Sabrina Carpenter did a nod to a look worn by Madonna at the 1991 Academy Awards. Megan Thee Stallion donned a Britney-inspired snake. Paris Hilton referenced herself. Someone even made the argument that Taylor Swift’s god awful fit was a cheeky home to Clueless’ Cher Horowitz… We’re not so sure about that one.
Charli XCX’s notable absence from the VMAs
One of the most viral moments from last night’s VMAs came in the form of someone who wasn’t even there: Charli XCX. Despite providing the soundtrack to everyone’s brat summer, the “Apple” songstress was too busy rehearsing for her Sweat tour with Troye Sivan and/or designing key necklaces for her slightly cringe-inducing collab with H&M. Does that mean brat summer is really over? Probably. Hopefully. We can finally say goodbye to listening to our most sensible friend harp on about how they’re “harnessing Charli” after having three vodka sodas… Do a key of coke if you’re really that wild. Do ketamine.
