2022 MTV Video Music Awards: The Most Viral Moments of the Night

Television By TooFab Staff |
Getty

Lizzo calls out "bitches that got something to say about me in the press," Fergie surprises and viewers left split on Depp and Fallon.

The MTV Video Music Awards are back -- and thanks to a great lineup of performers, star-studded nominees and a trio of high-profile hosts, it was another night to remember.

This year's show returned to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J and Jack Harlow emceeing as a trio. Minaj -- who didn't pop up until the 1-hour mark -- also received the Video Vanguard Award following an epic performance.

Headed into the night, Harlow, Doja Cat and Harry Styles led the pack for nominations, taking in eight each. Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd were all close behind. To see who came out on top, check out the full winners list right here.

Here are all the moments that erupted on Twitter throughout the night.

A Fergalicious Start

The night got off to a a very Fergalicious start as Jack Harlow kicked things off with a performance of his hit "First Class," which samples Fergie's 2006 hit "Glamorous."

She then joined him on stage rocking a sparkly "First Class" mini as she started to sing her hit from "The Dutchess." This marked her first appearance at the American VMAs since the song was released.

No, it wasn't a long performance, but nice to see her back at the VMAs nonetheless!

Johnny Depp Appears as the Moon Person

TMZ revealed ahead of the show that Johnny Depp would appear during the telecast as the Moon Person and it didn't take long for it to happen. After opening numbers from Jack Harlow and Fergie, as well as Lizzo, the show cut to a commercial -- where Depp made his first appearance.

His face appeared via a pre-recorded video in the mask of the Moon Person as they hovered over the stage -- joking, "I needed the work." He continued to pop up randomly throughout the show, before and after commercial breaks, joking he's down to work "weddings, wakes, any old thing you need ... anything."

His appearance was a controversial ones, as it comes following his divorce and subsequent legal battle against Amber Heard. Reaction was definitely split, with his devoted fans cheering him on as his critics wondered why he was even invited to participate.

Among those who slammed MTV was Heard's own sister, Whitney Henriquez, who also testified during the trial. "@MTV you're disgusting and clearly desperate! I really hope that none of the people that made this call have daughters," she posted to her Instagram Story. She also called the event the DVMAS, seemingly referencing domestic violence and added, #IStandWithAmberHeard.

BLACKPINK In Your Area

BLACKPINK made their big VMA debut -- making their first appearance at a US awards show ever and the first time a female K-pop group has performed at the annual award show.

It was also one of the first times the group performed their new single, "Pink Venom," which dropped earlier this month.

Judging by the screams in the audience and fans reacting at home, it was a success.

Jimmy Fallon, Hot or Not?
Getty

Jimmy Fallon started trending as the cameras kept cutting to him in the audience during the show -- and, by the time he hit the stage to present Album of the Year to Harry Styles, the timeline started to debate whether the "Tonight Show" host was hot.

Sparking the debate: his beard and Hawaiian shirt.

Nicki Minaj Takes Over the VMAs

It took a full hour for cohost Nicki Minaj to make her first appearance at the VMAs, after skipping the red carpet as well. But when she arrived, she arrived.

Ahead of her Vanguard Award win, she was flanked by dancers in front of a giant Barbie house as she performed a medley of her hits -- including "Roman's Revenge," "Monster," "Beez in the Trap," "Chun‐Li," "Moment 4 Life," "Super Bass" and "Anaconda," before ending it with her latest single "Super Freaky Girl."

The routine ended with stripper pole tricks and male dancers in leather harnesses grinding up on the superstar, before the auditorium erupted in cheers and a standing ovation. She was then given the Vanguard Award, with a group of her fan army -- the Barbz -- presenting her with the trophy.

As she accepted her award, she thanked her inspirations -- including Lil Wayne, Foxy Brown and Lauryn Hill -- as well as those who gave her big opportunities -- including Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Eminem, Britney Spears and Rihanna.

She said she wished that both Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were still alive -- saying she wished people understood "what they were going through" and pleading with viewers to take mental health seriously. She ended her speech by giving a shoutout to her son ... and plugging her new Greatest Hits album.

Into the Metaverse

Eminem and Snoop Dogg performed their 2022 collaboration "From the D 2 the LBC" at the awards ... but half of the performance took place inside of the metaverse.

It was pretty weird, having two of the night's biggest names reduced to computer-generated NFTs for more than half of their performance, when they were right there in the house. Eventually, they jumped back into the real world and finish out the song, but the number as a whole left viewers at home pretty damn confused.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Win Big

The Red Hot Chili Peppers were honored with the Global Icon Award during the show, following a performance of their recent single "Black Summer" and classic hit "Can't Stop" -- proving why they were so deserving of the trophy in the first place.

During their acceptance speech, Anthony Kiedis first thanked "the sassy mistress known as MTV for supporting us for 1,000 years or more." He went on to thank "the people of planet Earth" for caring about them and his bandmates for "giving me a purpose in my life for the last 40 years." He added, "I would have been a free floating disaster in space if not for these boys, so thank you boys for giving me something to do with my life and love."

Chad Smith dedicated the award to Taylor Hawkins and his family, adding, "Fly on Hawk, fly on brother." Eagle-eyed viewers also noticed "Taylor" on Smith's drumset. Flea, meanwhile, sent love to everyone and everything in the world from cockroaches to the birds in the sky, concluding, "everything that isn't love is cowardice."

Lizzo Gets the Last Laugh

Accepting the Video for Good award for "About Damn Time," Lizzo hit back at Aries Spears body shaming her -- and anyone else hating on her in public -- without naming him at all.

At the end of her speech, she addressed "the bitches that got something to say about me in the press." After taking a beat, she said, "You know what, I'm not gonna say nothing. They're like, 'Lizzo, why don't you clap back?' Because bitch, I'm winning, ho."

"Big bitches winning, ho!" she exclaimed, before leaving the stage.

Bad Bunny Makes History

Bad Bunny made VMA history at this year's awards, becoming the first non-English language act to take home the Artist of the Year Award. He was also the second Latin artist to win the category, following Camila Cabello in 2018.

While he wasn't in the house to accept his award, he performed live from Yankee Stadium and had the trophy brought out on stage to him following his performance.

In addition to his win, he went viral for kissing both male and female backup dancers during his performance.

Taylor Drops News on New Album

Picking up her trophy for Video of the Year, Taylor Swift had a big surprise in store for her fans -- revealing in her speech that her new album will drop October 21, 2022. That date, of course, also happens to be Kim Kardashian's birthday ... and the two have had some serious history.

She didn't have much else to add then, but teased there would be more info coming at midnight. Everyone knows Taylor can't resist a tease.

At midnight, she dropped a tweet with the album cover for "Midnights," and a brief explanation of just what it was. According to Swift, the tracks were all written in the middle of thirteen sleepless nights "scattered throughout" her life.

See more of the night's performances below:

2022 MTV Video Music Awards: All the Good, Bad & WTF Fashion View Photos