Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift performance among VMA highlights

Award Shows

Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift performance among VMA highlights

August 31, 2015 By Mark Franklin 0

Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj embrace after performing together at the VMAs Sunday night. (AP Photo)

If the thought of watching Miley Cyrus host anything prevented you from tuning in to the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday night, here’s what you missed.

* Video of the Year honors went to Taylor Swift for “Bad Blood.” During her acceptance speech, Taylor, surrounded by her video co-stars, said she’s happy she lives at a time when boys can pretend to be princesses and girls can play soldier.

* Taylor also took top pop video and top female video honors for “Blank Space.”

* Nicki Minaj, who had a short stint as an American Idol judge once upon a time, won hip-hop video of the year honors for “Anaconda.”

* Speaking of Nicki and Taylor, they got into a bit of a Twitter tussle when the VMA nominations were announced, but buried any bad blood — excuse the pun — by performing together on the show. Taylor joined Nicki during her performance of “The Night is Still Young,” then they performed a snippet of “Bad Blood.”

* On a night marked by performances of questionable taste — you’re sure to hear lots about Miley’s show-closing number and her pre-performance flash — Voice judge Pharrell delivered an inspirational performance of “Freedom.” In the process, he proved — I hope — you don’t have to be outrageous to deliver a message.

* Jennifer Hudson’s “I Still Love You” was among the nominees for best video with a social message. The award went to Big Sean for “One Man Can Change the World.”

* And Kanye West delivered another rant after receiving a vanguard award from Taylor. He admitted to getting high before the show and even claimed he’ll run for president in 2020.

If video surfaces of Pharrell’s performance, I’ll add it to this blog.

Meanwhile, here are photos from the show, from The Associated Press.