2020 MTV Video Music Awards: The Most Viral Moments of the Night

Music By TooFab Staff |
MTV

MTV dedicated the telecast to the late Chadwick Boseman and featured epic performances ... and light up crotches.

MTV stepped outside of the box for the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, the biggest award show so far to see what they could pull off amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Hosted by Keke Palmer, Sunday night's event featured performances from Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande -- their first for collaboration "Rain On Me" -- as well as BTS, CNCO, Doja Kat, Maluma, Miley Cyrus, Black Eyed Peas, DaBaby and The Weeknd.

Heading into the event, Ari and Gaga were tied with nine nominations each, followed by Billie Eilish and The Weeknd, who both had six. Check out the link below to find out who won (Spoiler alert: Gaga got a lot.)

Check out all the night's performances, viral moments, and reactions below.

Tributes to Chadwick Boseman and Black Lives Matter

Before the show officially began, Palmer revealed the telecast would be dedicated to Chadwick Boseman, who passed away over the weekend after a battle with colon cancer. The network also released a separate video paying tribute to his legacy (above).

"We need to take the time to talk about the devastating loss of Chadwick Boseman, an actor whose talent and passion are a true inspiration for all the fans he touched and everyone he encountered," said Palmer. "We dedicate tonight's show to a man whose spirit touched so many. He is a true hero, not just on screen, but in everything he did. His impact lives forever."

During Palmer's opening monologue, she also took a moment to praise to the Black Lives Matter movement, telling viewers that the most recent events in Kenosha, Wisconsin are "yet another devastating reminder that we can't stop, that we can never tolerate police brutality or any injustice."

"2020 has undoubtedly been a rough year for everybody, and I'm not just talking about my edges," she joked. "In fact, when something goes wrong, I just say '2020.' As rough as it's been, there have been moments of inspiration."

"With the Black Lives Matter movement, we've seen our generation step up, take to the streets and make sure our voices will be heard. Enough is enough. What we just witnessed in Kenosha, Wisconsin is yet another devastating reminder that we can't stop, that we can never tolerate police brutality or any injustice. We must continue the fight to end systemic racism. The leaders of that movement are you, us, the people watching tonight. It's our time to be the change we wanna see."

The Weeknd also paid tribute to Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake during both of his acceptance speeches.

Lady Gaga's Wild Fashion

2020 MTV Video Music Awards: All of Lady Gaga's Looks View Photos
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After hitting the "red carpet" in a space helmet, Lady Gaga walked out on stage to accept the first award of the night -- for Best Collaboration -- in a pink gas mask, long silver hair and a dress that certainly played tricks on the eyes. But it wouldn't be her only look of the evening, by a long shot.

She popped up again to pick up her Best Song Moon Person in a different mask, this one with horns coming out of her mouth, while rocking a gorgeous green gown. Following her performance, which included quite a few outfit changes of its own, she came out on stage again for Artist of the Year in a silver bodysuit, oversized feather jacket and matching sparkly mask.

While picking up her Tricon Award, she donned an aluminum dress with the biggest shoulders we've ever seen and silver antlers. Check out all her outfits in the gallery above.

See what Twitter had to say about her fashion below -- giving her special praise for putting the emphasis on masks during the pandemic.

Miley Comes Through Like a Wrecking Ball

Miley Cyrus hit the stage for her first TV performance of her new single, "Midnight Sky."

While she crushed her vocals and looked sleek as hell, it was her props that really made the performance stand out.

She echoed her "Wrecking Ball" video by once again sitting atop a giant ball -- but instead of straddling construction equipment, she kept it glam atop a giant disco ball.

BTS Takes Over "Times Square"

The boys of BTS gave their first TV performance of their new, English-only single "Dynamite."

Looking sharp in three-piece suits, the guys showed off their always impressive footwork while dancing in front of a green-screen showing them in Times Square and in front of both the New York skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.

Like everything they do, the performance quickly blew up Twitter and will likely be the most watched one of the night.

Lady Gaga Brings Chromatica to the VMAs

After months in quarantine, Lady Gaga finally got to perform some music from her new album, "Chromatica."

From behind a mask, she rocked out to "9-1-1" with some killer choreography and backup dancers, before an off-camera outfit change for "Rain on Me." Grande popped out midway through the number with her own black and purple outfit and her own team of dancers. The fact both of them delivered vocals while wearing masks set Twitter on fire.

Cue another outfit change, before Gaga then took to a brain-shaped piano to sing "Stupid Love," before her full band and dancers brought it home.

Doja Cat Crushes It

Doja Cat gave Lady Gaga a run for her money with her performance of "Say So."

In head-to-toe pink -- including matching face paint -- the singer was flanked by alien-esque backup dancers and an incredible set that added to up to one truly out of this world performance.

It was hailed as one of the best of the night:

Black Eyed Peas and Their Glowing Crotches

The night ended with The Weeknd picking up the biggest award for Video of the Year and a performance from the Black Eyed Peas.

While they sang "I Gotta Feeling," Fergie nowhere to be seen. Instead, they were joined on stage by J. Rey Soul, who was on Apl.de.ap's team on "The Voice Philippines."

Of all the acts of the night, it did seem odd to end with BEP, a performance made all the more strange by the light-up crotches and thrusting. It was certainly something.

Watch the rest of the night's performances -- including one from Keke herself -- below:

2020 MTV Video Music Awards: All the Must-See Fashion View Photos
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