The MTV Video Music Awards, more commonly known as the VMAs, is one of the most anticipated events of the year and tonight it airs live from Madison Square Garden in New York City at 9 p.m. ET. In the past, some of the crazy hosts have included Miley Cyrus and Amy Schumer, but there have also been a few years where there was no host. This year, there will be no host, though there will be presenters and stars who step in as masters of ceremonies. Get the details on the presenters and MC’s below.
Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele, Jay Pharoah, Nicole Byer, and DJ Khaled are reported by MTV to provide commentary throughout the show. DJ Khaled will also be involved in the pre-show as a host, alongside co-hosts Charlamagne Tha God and Lizzo. Key & Peele will be in-character as “social media influencers.”
Presenters this evening include Sean “Diddy” Combs, Ansel Elgort, Fifth Harmony, Kim Kardashian West, Tove Lo, Shameik Moore, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, Aly Raisman, Rita Ora, Michael Phelps, Jimmy Fallon, Bebe Rexha, Jaden Smith, Kanye West, Alicia Keys.
USA Today reports that Kanye West has been given four minutes of free time on stage to basically do whatever he wants. So, Kanye may perform, give a speech or act as an emcee of some kind, but you never know what to expect. And, for those of you hoping for a Taylor Swift and Kanye face-off, we’re sorry to tell you that she is not reported to be attending the event.
This year, Beyonce leads with nominations totaling eleven and Billboard reports that Beyonce is slated to perform as well. The Los Angeles Times has stated that Beyonce has been in top-secret rehearsals for the big event and is planning to surprise fans.
As for what else viewers can expect to see at the event this year, VMA executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic tells the LA Times:
We want to embrace the heritage of the show, and the history of it, but it also happens organically. Those kind of moments present themselves, especially when you bring the show back to New York. We definitely want to find those opportunities … but they also tend to just happen.
MTV President Sean Atkins added:
The VMAs have never had the Oscars or the Grammys problem, like there’s a bunch of people in a corner who make magical decisions and it homogenizes. Anything can happen at the VMAs, any artist can be there … and that’s what I think our audience loves about it.
For more information on the VMAs, check out the below links:
