US pop singer Taylor Swift and reggaeton and trap star Bad Bunny have secured the most coveted awards at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA). Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny skipped Sunday night’s gala in Newark, New Jersey. He only thanked him for the award as artist of the year via video message.
Actor Johnny Depp also caused a stir with an appearance a few weeks after the end of the trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Swift, who won Music Video of the Year for the 10-minute short for All Too Well, took to the stage in a spectacular crystal-encrusted mini dress.
“Without you fans we could never have made this short film,” said the 32-year-old. “Because without you I would never have been able to re-record my albums. You guys encouraged me to do it.” Swift had made good on her promise to re-record her first six albums in order to secure copyright on the works. She also announced a new album, entitled Midnights, which is due out on October 21st.
The Video Vanguard Award went to hip-hop singer Nicki Minaj, who performed a medley of hits at the gala, including “Super Bass” and her most recent single, “Super Freaky Girl.”
The Brazilian Anitta’s “Envolver” was awarded the best Latino video. The band “Red Hot Chili Peppers” won the “Global Icon Award”. The group’s performance was reminiscent of Taylor Hawkins, the recently deceased drummer of the “Foo Fighters”.
The hip-hop singer Lizzo, known for her commitment, brought a political message to the stage. She scooped the Video For Good Award, which recognizes social messages, for her song “About Damn Time.”
Wearing a cone bodice dress, Lizzo thanked her fans for voting for her. Referring to November’s US congressional elections, she added: “Go vote to change some of the laws that are oppressing us.”
The most surprising appearance, however, was made by Hollywood star Johnny Depp: In a digital overlay he appeared as “MTV Moonman”, as an astronaut hovering over the stage – an allusion to the trophy presented at the awards.
The 59-year-old, who recently made headlines with his defamation lawsuit against Heard, said in a tape recording: “You know what? I needed the job.”
The performance drew mixed reactions on social media. Many users were happy to see the film star again, others said it was distasteful to give the star, whose violent outbursts against his ex-wife Amber Heard are documented despite the success in court, such a big stage.
