Supreme winners of the 2013 VMAs
MANILA, Philippines - In a world where YouTube has all but taken over the concept of music television, the Video Music Awards brings us back to the network that reared an entire generation: MTV.
The VMAs have always been about capturing the Moment, with a capital “M.†The MTV tradition lives for the performances that break through the fourth wall and jump straight on to your Twitter feeds. Moments of sheer unpredictability and maximum shock value. Did the 2013 edition deliver? Supreme takes a look.
The Meat Dress Award: 2 Chainz and Grimes
Nobody came close to Lady Gaga’s 2010 meat dress, but this year’s best fashion moment came in the form of twinsies. Red carpet co-host Grimes was upstaged by her soon to be BFF 2 Chainz wearing the same Versace pants. Or you know, Vehrsayse, in the vernacular.
As ADR once taught us in her seminal classic Fashion Shower, “Some-a-body show up in the same outfit? Wonderful, you deed the right choice.†If one had to ask though, 2 Chainz totes wore it better.
The Brit/Madge/Xtine Make-Out Award: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ acceptance speech for ‘Same Love’
It’s been 10 whole years since Britney, Madonna and Xtina opened the VMAs with a slip of tongue and bridal negligée. Shock ensued. The song Same Love is a testament to how far music and pop culture has embraced all kinds of love. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis just took it a step further with their Best Video with Social Message acceptance speech.
“To watch this song in the last year spread across the world is a testament to what is happening in America right now on the forefront of equality. Gay rights are human rights, there is no separation.â€
The Hell-Hath-No-Fury Award: Taylor Swift
Apart from allegedly mouthing off “shut the f*ck up†on camera during One Direction’s presentation, Taylor Swift was visibly making a show of not having any of it. It being one Harry Styles from 1D. Swift took a jab at her ex-beau when she accepted her Moonman for I Knew You Were Trouble, the award for Best Female Video.
“Thank you to who I wrote this song about ‘cause you know who you are and now I have this award!†cut to a smirking Styles sitting behind Rihanna.
The Angry Mob Award: The MTV generation at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn
The MTV conundrum for the past couple of VMAs has been reconciling its aging Carson Daly TRL audience with the current millennial demographic: the vast Tumblr-driven sea of Beliebers, Directioners, Smilers, Selenators (shout-out!) and whatever fandom have you. Just last year’s VMAs anointed 1D and Demi Lovato as winners, highlighting their place in the pantheon of pop royalty. Big names that may leave a majority of older viewers clueless.
When One Direction took the stage to receive their fan-voted Moonman for Best Song of the Summer, jeers and boos could be heard in the background. Which may or may not have been led by Taylor Swift herself. Props to One Direction for keeping the focus on the fans in their speech. Haters (and The Wanted fans) may proceed to the extreme left.
The White Knight Award: Lady Gaga storms out
Coincidentally, Lady Gaga had booing of her own during her Applause opening performance (canned, not served). The pop superstar stormed out of her seat after the 1D-jeering incident. Backstage clips have then been released of her waiting in the wings, giving the lads a pep talk, replete with nothing but her clamshell bra and thong.
“If I did hear what I heard out there, I just want to tell you that you deserve every bit of success that you have. Don’t you let those people boo you.â€
One can only guess if this was a bad case of White Knighting or a snap-decision publicity stunt. Regardless, who knew Mother Monster was a Directioner? Fandoms collide.
Shortest-Lived Reunion of the Year: ‘N Sync
Justin Timberlake had more or less 20 minutes dedicated to an all-out medley of his hit discography, 110 seconds of which he shared with JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick. What charity! Survey says? For all the ‘N Sync hype, it was too much Suit & Tie and not enough Bye, Bye, Bye. The thirst was too real for more JC and Lance! Joey and Chris who?
Runner-up? Destiny’s Child at the Super Bowl Half-Time Show 2013. Beyoncé must be pissed she didn’t snag this one.
The ‘She Gets It’ Award: Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus solidified herself as a #CertifiedTwerker all over the VMA stage, then proceeded to shake her birthday cake against Robin Thicke’s pelvis. At a rough glance, one could choose to slut-shame her antics to infinity and beyond or one could see a pop star who is way on top of her game. We choose the latter.
“Miley was the one star in the room who truly understood what the MTV Video Music Awards are all about!†writes Rolling Stone. She managed to faze the undaunted YouTube generation with her basic and seemingly improvised moves. All spice, all haunch. One can say whatever they want about Miley but the 2013 VMAs will go down in herstory as her Moment. In a few years, Robin Thicke? Miley’s one-time man prop. Bless.
The #WECANTSTOP Award: The Internet and YOU
The Internet (of the greater Buzzfeed demographic) has gone into overdrive. Mommy rage, shell shock, and full-on jungle fever have set in. The overtness of a 20-year-old in a latex bikini was made too much to handle for a lot of people. One shouldn’t be so offended if not for the lack of taste or subtlety in her performance. Haters, once again, to the left.
Miley set herself up for the publicity she wanted. Lo and behold, #WECANTSTOP talking about it.
At the end of the day though, it’s all just opinions and the big winner here is the once-upon-a-time Hannah “Sweet Niblets†Montana. Well-played Miley, twerk it all the way to the bank.
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Tweet the author @martinpanduh.
