Justin Timberlake seems like a really nice guy and loaded with talent. I have been a fan since the singer, also called JT, decided to leave ’N Sync and go solo and he has yet to disappoint me with his music output and career decisions. So, I am all for giving JT the big applause he deserves for not only being honored with the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award for his accomplishments but also for winning the Moonman trophy for Video of the Year for his song Mirrors at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) held last Aug. 25, Sunday evening at the Barclay Center in New York City.
I am sure this was a really tight race. JT was up against other deserving nominees like Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan featuring Wanz; Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars; Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams; and I Knew Your Were Trouble by Taylor Swift. All really good songs with great videos but Mirrors had the added excitement of being part of a career-defining, big hit album from the former soloist of the boy band ’N Sync.
The MJ Vanguard honor gave this year’s VMAs’ show an excuse to put on a retrospective number of JT’s musical career. And that would not be complete without what else but ’N Sync. And so there they were, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, JC Chasez and JT on stage, once again the complete ’N Sync, singing Bye Bye Bye to the delight of teary-eyed fans. It was too brief a moment. But no matter, it has now given rise to the possibility of a real ’N Sync reunion with a comeback album and a tour.
Speaking of boy bands, the UK’s One Direction won the Moonman for the Song of Summer category and got booed. I do not know if this was a reaction to the boys winning over big favorite Blurred Lines or any of the other nominees, We Can’t Stop by Miley Cyrus, Get Lucky by Daft Punk, Come And Get It by Selena Gomez, I Need Your Love by Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding.
Others think that the boos came from fans of Taylor, who though looking movie star glamorous in the audience, was clearly not at ease being in the same place as 1D’s Harry Stiles. If you are not up to date with these things, Taylor and Harry dated for a while. It is generally believed that he was the inspiration or whatever for her song I Knew You Were Trouble. You know how Taylor likes to diss her exes in her songs and make hits out of the experience. This time around she also got the Best Female Video Award for her Harry song.
Taylor watched the proceedings seated beside her best female friend Selena. If we are to believe the gossip columns, both are currently without boyfriends. Selena has recently broken up with Justin Bieber. That and the fact that she recently turned 21, must be the reason why she is now projecting a more grown-up and daring image. Selena wore a long dress with a slit up to there and with only some netting plus some lace and sequins covering one of her boobs. She made me want to cringe and scream, “For heaven’s sake, put on a jacket or something, you’re a Disney Princess.â€
I have not heard of parents spanking kids in a long time. Physical punishment for misbehaving children has truly gone out of fashion. But Miley Cyrus made me feel like she needed one. Maybe she should also be made to stand in a corner, arms carrying heavy books outstretched or maybe kneel for an hour on mongo grains. Would you believe that this other Disney Princess put on the most controversial number of this year’s VMAs show? And she did that with Lady Gaga in the house.
You know Lady Gaga, if not in some state of undress, she would be wearing raw meat and will, of course, end up as the most-talked-about personality of whatever event. Not this time around though. Lady Gaga’s seashell-thonged bikini for her opening number Applause was upstaged by Miley. The former Hannah Montana wore a vinyl, nude-colored bra and panties set and strutted around the stage with a big, styrofoam finger making suggestive gestures as she sang We Can’t Stop and while Thicke was doing Blurred Lines. What on earth is this girl trying to prove?
Anyway, music-wise, the VMA show is as hot as ever on its 30th anniversary. That’s right. It has now been 30 years since Music Television changed pop music by forcing music artists to act before the cameras. Who would have known that it would also mean taking off their clothes?
Here now is the MTV Video Music Awards 2013 Honor Roll:
Video of the Year — Mirrors by Justin Timberlake; Female Video — I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift; Male Video — Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars; Collaboration Video — Just Give Me A Reason by Pink featuring Nate Ruess; Pop Video — Come And Get It by Selena Gomez; Rock Video — Up In The Air by 30 Seconds to Mars; Video with a Social Message — Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert; Song of Summer — Best Song Ever by One Direction; Artist to Watch — Austin Mahone; Direction — Suit And Tie, Justin Timberlake; Cinematography — Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton; Choreography — Treasure by Bruno Mars; Art Direction — Q.U.E.E.N. by Erika Badu; and Visual Effects — Safe And Sound by Capital Cities.