12 September 2023 , 08:00
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The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) return later this week with a host of artists nominated across various categories and some acts set to take to the stage for performances.
The annual awards ceremony - described as "a night dedicated to the year's biggest music videos" - will once again be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Tuesday. It will be broadcast live in the US. MTV has teased that viewers should expect "incredible performances, special honors, tributes and more". There could be some iconic or even controversial moments in the show, as there's been some notable examples in the past.
MTV's Video Music Awards (VMAs) returns for this year's awards ceremony this week (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)Ahead of this year's awards ceremony, Gambling 'N Go have explored social media to reveal just some of the VMAs most iconic and viral moments from its history. This includes unforgettable performances and a speech interruption.
Fans will have to tune into the show later this week to see if this year features any similar moments. The VMAs will be broadcast in the US on Tuesday, with it set to air in the UK on Wednesday evening from MTV UK from 9pm onwards.
Rihanna medley
Rihanna opened the show in 2016 with a medley of songs including Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna/Youtube)Rihanna was among the performers at the VMAs in 2016, when it was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. She took to the stage to perform a number of her songs, amid being awarded the Video Vanguard Award.
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She opened the show with a medley of Don't Stop The Music, Only Girl (In The World), We Found Love and Where Have You Been. Her other performances included closing the show with a medley of Stay, Love on the Brain and Diamonds.
The opening performance has amassed 98 million views on her YouTube channel, whilst her two other performances from the ceremony have 81 million and 13 million views respectively. Rihanna received praise for her performances.
Kanye West speech
Kanye West (left) infamously interrupted Taylor Swift (centre) during her acceptance speech in 2009 (Getty Images)Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech during the event in 2009 is an unforgettable moment from VMA history. She had won the Best Female Video award over the music video for her song You Belong with Me.
The rapper joined Taylor on the stage as she collected the award and he went on to declare that nominee Beyoncé had "one of the best videos of all time" instead. Kanye was referencing the music video for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).
Taylor was invited back to the stage by Beyoncé later in the ceremony, when the latter won Video of the Year. "I'd like for Taylor to come out and have her moment," she said. Kanye later apologised for his "rude" interruption.
Miley Cyrus performance
Miley Cyrus was among the performers at the ceremony held in 2019 (Getty Images)
She performed her song Slide Away during the show (AFP/Getty Images)Miley Cyrus was invited to perform her song Slide Away - believed to be about her ex Liam Hemsworth - at the VMAs in 2019. She was joined by a string section on stage and the performance was broadcast in black and white.
The performance was described as "emotional" and "tear-jerking" at the time of the show, with it said to have been the first time that Miley had publicly performed the song - which featured on her extended play She Is Coming.
The video on her official YouTube channel has 11 million views and attracted praise on the platform. One person wrote: "A Grammy worthy performance. This song didn't get the respect it deserved in my opinion. Absolutely phenomenal."
Nicki Minaj remarks
Nicki Minaj confronted Miley over comments made in the press at the ceremony in 2015 (Getty Images)Nicki Minaj's music video for Anaconda wasn't nominated for Video of the Year in 2015, which she questioned at the time. Miley later shared her thoughts in an interview, in which she suggested that Nicki was "not too kind".
The rapper confronted Miley at the VMAs that year, seemingly over the interview. After winning Best Hip-Hop Video, Nicki said to host Miley: "Back to this b**** that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press; Miley, what's good?"
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Miley responded: "Hey, we're all in this industry, we all do interviews and we all know how they manipulate s***. Nicki, congratu-f***ing-lations." It's been reported that the incident was a trending topic on social media for weeks after. An uncensored clip of the incident on MTV News' YouTube account has 7 million views.
Miley & Robin Thicke set
Robin Thicke (left) and Miley performed together on the show back in 2013 (FilmMagic, Inc)
They performed a medley together that included his song Blurred Lines (FilmMagic)Miley featured in a controversial performance alongside Robin Thicke at the VMAs back in 2013. The pair took to the stage for a medley of songs including We Can't Stop and Blurred Lines, which attracted much criticism at the time.
The performance - which included Miley twerking in front of fellow singer Robin - was described as "raunchy," "crass" and "unacceptable". It prompted a backlash from some viewers, including apparently concerned parents.
Footage of the performance has amassed millions of views on social media and Miley later teased that the incident was still being talked about weeks after it happened when she appeared on Alan Carr: Chatty Man back in 2017.
Beyoncé pregnancy
Beyoncé performed at the VMAs in 2011 (Getty Images)Beyoncé announced that she was pregnant at the awards show in 2011, with her having taken to the stage to perform Love on Top in the show. She said at the start of the song: "I want you to feel the love growing inside of me".
The singer - who welcomed daughter Blue Ivy months later - showcased her baby bump at the end of the performance, when she unbutton a jacket she'd been wearing. She had already showcased the bump on the red carpet.
It attracted much attention at the time and was described by ABC News as "a pregnancy announcement like no other". The outlet's report about it has amassed more than a million likes alone on YouTube since the performance aired.
Madonna performance
Madonna took to the stage in the ceremony in 1984 (Getty Images)Madonna performed Like a Virgin at the VMAs in 1984. The performance - which has around 3 million views on her YouTube account now - is believed to have attracted much attention, including over an apparent wardrobe issue.
She recalled on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last year: "My dress flipped up [at one point] and my butt was showing.[...] When I went backstage my manager told me my career was over with." She said it had been an "accident". The singer also commented: "Those were the days when you shouldn't show your butt to have a career."
Missy Elliott medley
Missy Elliott was among the performers at the VMAs in 2019 (Credit: WireImage)Missy Elliott was awarded the the Video Vanguard Award in 2019, with her having been invited to perform a medley of her songs in the ceremony. The performance included songs such as Get Ur Freak On, Work It and Lose Control.
"[This award] means so much to me. I have worked diligently for over two decades and I never thought that I would be standing up here receiving this award," the rapper commented during her acceptance speech on the night.
The medley has amassed millions of views on social media, with one post showing it having almost 10 million views alone. Missy was met with praise over for the performance, and for her career, amid the awards ceremony at the time.
Britney Spears routine
Britney Spears performed whilst holding a python around her shoulders in 2001 (FilmMagic, Inc)Britney Spears took to the stage to perform her song I'm a Slave 4 U during the awards ceremony in 2001. It featured various live animals, including a python that she held in her hands whilst it was draped over her shoulders.
The unforgettable moment attracted much attention at the time and divided some viewers. Although it's been suggested that it was an 'iconic' performance, there was also a backlash, particularly over the use of live animals on stage.
Britney seemingly referenced the performance on X - formerly Twitter - recently. A tweet on her account last week read: "One of my favorite performances was with an albino python. I still remember how scared I felt when I was handed this snake and took the stage!"