2017 MTV Music Awards Winners List and Live Blog and VIDEOS

08/27/2017 mj santilli Awards Shows 21

Live from The Forum in Inglewood, California, it’s the MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by pop star and American Idol judge, Katy Perry.

 Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with eight for his “HUMBLE.” video,  while Katy Perry and The Weeknd come in with five nominations each. Favorite reality stars nominated include Fifth Harmony, and Harry Styles in the Pop category and Zayn Malik with Taylor Swift for Best Collaboration. Styles and Fifth Harmony are nominated in the Visual Effects and Choreography categories, respectively.

Performers include host Katy Perry, “Video Vanguard” recipient P!nk, Sir Rod Stewart featuring DNCE, Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus, Kendrick Lamar, Demi Lovato, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Fifth Harmony ft Gucci Mane, Shawn Mendes, Lorde, Logic ft Khalid, Post Malone and Julia Michaels.  “Pre-Show” performances will feature Bleachers, Khalid and Cardi B.

Plus, watch out for an exclusive premiere of Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” music video.

Presenters include DJ Khaled, Bebe Rexha, Ludacris, Pete Wentz, The Chainsmokers, Remy Ma, Alessandra Ambrosio, Paris Jackson, Hailey Baldwin, Gal Gadot, Tiffany Haddish, Pete Davidson, Vanessa Hudgens, Olivia Munn, Yara Shahidi, Millie Bobby Brown.

And of course, always looking for those potentially viral moments, MTV has invited transgender service members to sit in the audience. This on the heels of Trump signing off on the military transgender ban order. Additionally, the mother of Heather Heyer will present the “Fight Against the System” award and announce a new foundation in her daughter’s honor. Heather Heyer was killed in Charlottesville, Virginia two weeks ago after a white supremacist drove into a crowd of counter protesters.

****

Kendrick Lamar opens the show with a performance of  “DNA.”  He’s up for a gazillion awards tonight. Whoa. A dancer is on fire. Literally. Instantly political. He finishes with “Humble.” Buckle up people. 

After the credits run, the pace changes as world famous ginger, Ed Sheeran takes the stage to perform his propulsive hit “Shape of You.” Uzi Vert, joins him to close the song, and then the pair phase into a duet of “XO Tour Llif3,”

Next, a video clip introduces host Katy Perry, who prepares to go to space. Major FITBIT cross promotion as she interviews astronauts…and Kevin Bacon. The deal is that the MOONMAN has been redubbed MOONPERSON. Katy “lands” on stage from “space” in a silver astro outfit. Cut away to WTF faces from Pink, Jack Antonoff (inexplicably eating a banana). Fifth Harmony have matching WHAT THE HELL faces. This monologue is bombing. Mercifully, it ends.

Enter Paris Jackson, who presents the first award. She gives a totally political speech. Basically, she says “to hell with Nazis” and throws in a Trump impression as an extra. Oh boy. This is something.

She presents Best Pop to “Down” by FIFTH HARMONY! Congrats girls. And guy (Gucci). They thank: God, family, the usual suspects. Dinah looks like she’s gonna pass out from heatstroke or something. 

Hailee Steinfeld takes the stage to introduce her “dear friend” Julia Michaels who sings her hit “Issues.” And after about 30 seconds of her performance a voice over outro segues into a commercial. Sorry girlfriend. CUT OFF. That’s cold. Wonder if the show is already running behind schedule. 

What YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. Taylor Swift’s new video for her new song “Look What You Made Me Do” is next. And it’s exactly what you’d imagine. The singer takes a stab at deconstructing her media image. The clip opens with Taylor rising from the Zombie dead and ends with all of her incarnations shouting at each other, Rev up the discourse, people. Taylor’s counting on it. 

Yara Shahidi from Blackish is next. Randomly, she introduces Shawn Mendes and his guitar. He sings his mellow hit “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back.” The song breaks out of it’s reverie in the last verse and chorus. The crowd goes wild.

Katy gives a shout out to all of the victims of Hurricane Harvey with a suggestion to donate to the Red Cross. Ya’ll can still vote for Best New Artist. Katy warns, “This is one election where the popular vote actually counts. Hurry up and vote before some random Russian artist wins.” 

Katy does a bit where she looks through her tweets or something. Ugh this is painful. She’s doing FyreFest jokes. That happened in April. It feels like eons ago.

Jack Antonoff and Alessandra Ambrosio take the stage next. They wax poetic about Lorde as they introduce her performance. Something about that time she ate gas station tacos and what not. Lorde isn’t singing. She’s performing some kind of interpretive dance as her “Homemade Dynamite” track plays. Well. That’s one way to do it. No. I mean. SHE’S NOT SINGING. I don’t get it. ETA: Reportedly, she’s battling the flu.


Pete Wentz and dancer Teyana Taylor present Best Dance Video to Zedd and Alessia Cara for “Stay.”

Katy does a confusing bit with a fake baby to “boost her socials.” Cut to Ellen Degeneres who looks like she just smelled a fart. The joke ends with DJ “King of  Snapchat” Khaled joining Katy with his own, very real child. The joke being? I’m not really sure.  

Ugh. If Katy bombs on American Idol like she is tonight on the VMAs. WE’RE IN TROUBLE. 

Next, a pallet cleanser. Fifth Harmony and Gucci Mane perform their massive hits “Angel” + “Down.” Cue the drenching rain! How much of this was lip synced, because they sounded really perfect. HA HA HA. They open with a Fake Camila Cabello  that falls off the stage before they sing. SHADE.  Plus: Normani! Splits!

Ludacris and Olivia Munn argue about sharing sandwiches at lunch. WHO WROTE THESE TERRIBLE JOKES. They present Best Collaboration to Taylor Swift and Zayn for “I Don’t Want to Live Forever.” Neither is present. So producer Jack Antonoff and…another dude accept the award.

Jared Leto leads a tribute to the late Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell. He talks about how Chester sang “Hallelujah” at Chris’ funeral, and just a few weeks later was gone himself. He promises anybody who is suffering depression that the biggest breakthroughs come after the darkest moments. He ends the segment introducing a Linkin Park performance from the 2010 VMAs.

Next, it’s a filmed bit with Billy Eichner doing his man in the street shtick with Katy.  Back to the show, Katy does some lame twitter jokes.   

Next she introduces Miley Cyrus who sings “Younger Now” which I’m going to say right here right now, I kinda like. She gives Katy a girlfriend shoutout before her performance.  Miley brings along a gaggle of wacky elderlies to back her up. Nevertheless, that was a good performance.

MTV’s Pete Davidson and Tiffany Haddish  present Best Hip Hop Video to Kendrick Lamar for “Humble.”  This is for me and my team, says Kendrick, being mighty humble . Har dee har har. 

 Cardi B gives a shout out to former NFL player, Colin Kaepernick before she introduces Demi Lovato who performs her hit “Sorry Not Sorry” outdoors surrounded by kiddos in a swimming pool. Demi has issues performing live sometimes, but she done good tonight. 

Back from break. No introduction needed. It’s P!nk singing a medley of her greatest hits, including  “Get The Party Started,” “Raise Your Glass, ” and “So What.” She and her daughter were adorable on the Red Carpet in their matching menswear.  

The singer drives around stage on a mini tractor. She slows things up with “Just” Bring on the contemporary dancers. It’s beautifully staged with performers wearing khakis and t shirts, using a couch as a prop P!nk sings “What About Us” as she walks through the crowd! That was great.

Ellen DeGeneres takes the stage next. Oh. She’s going to present the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award to P!nk! Cher was supposed to give her the award (she got it last year) but couldn’t make it. So Ellen stepped in at the last minute. She mentions that Barack Obama gave her the Medal of Freedom. Yay. Obama shoutout. P!nk tells a story about her 6 year old daughter calling herself ugly. :(. So, mamma did a powerpoint on androgenous rock stars. “Baby girl we don’t change, we take the gravel and she’ll and make a pearl.” Cool.

Katy is so impressed with P!nk, she snatches her own wig. Uh. She introduces Kyle, who also gets the 30 second treatment performing his song “iSpy.” 

 Then James Arthur is center stage singing his hit “Say You Won’t Let Go.” It’s literally an Extra commercial. BROUGHT TO YOU BY EXTRA GUM.  Every time the crowd sings the title, an Extra logo flashes on screen. And that morphs into a 15 second Haley Reinhart clip.

Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things hands out the Artist of the Year award to Ed Sheeran! He thanks his friends, and the record label. Short and sweet. 

Vanessa Hudgens is next. She introduces a performance from Alessia Cara singing her hit “Scars to Your Beautiful.” 

Kesha is next with a speech about never giving up on yourself. She promotes the National Suicide Prevention lifeline. She introduces Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid who perform “1-800-273-8255” with a stage full of suicide attempt survivors. The name is actually the Suicide Prevention phone number. The song is about assuring listeners someone is there for them. Logic gives an impassioned speech urging everyone to fight hard for equality. The audience gives them a long standing ovation.

Next, it the inevitable Game Of Thrones bit.  In a Mother of Dragons wig, Katy gives a quick recap of what GOT fans who are just tuning in have missed. Oh. Jon Snow f*cked a dragon? Hm. 

Bebe Rexha and the Chainsmokers hand out Best New Artist. Bebe shouts out big time to Fith Harmony and Normani Kordei before presenting the award to Khalid.   

Little Yachty introduces Jared Leto and 30 Seconds to Mars. It’s the band’s first ever performance on the VMAs. They sing “Walk on Water” with a feature by Travis Scott. They’ve got a evocative heat light effect going throughout their performance. This is the first real rock performance of the night.  

Ohh, Robert E Lee’s descendent, Reverend Robert Lee is here to SPEAK OUT against racism. “I call on all of us with privilege to confront racism and white supremacy head on.” He introduces Susan Bro, Heather Heyer’s mother. She’s crying as she takes the stage. “Only 15 days ago, my daughter Heather was killed as she fought racism…today I announce the launch of the Heather Heyer foundation.” The organization will fund scholarships. She namechecks all of the artists who are nominated for Best Fight Against the System. Oh. THEY ALL WIN MTV has decided.

Cut to Las Vegas where Rod Stewart and DNCE perform Rod’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.” Rod makes a big entrance, served his mic on a silver platter by a comely waitress. I’m in love with DNCE’s girl guitarist. Yass. Having said that, not really sure what’s the point? Is Rod celebrating some sort of anniversary? To be honest, not a fan of this corny song. 

Actress Gal Gadot presents Video of the Year to Kendrick Lamar for HUMBLE. Of course. Kendrick delivers a heartfelt thank you. 

Noah Cyrus is on stage to introduce the last act of the night–Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj performing “Swish Swish.” (Noah is opening for Katy on her Witness tour). But that giant hand floating from the ceiling? It’s creeping me out.

2017 MTV Video Music Awards Winners List

Video of the Year 
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) – WINNER
Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records) 
Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam) 
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We The Best)
The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records)

Artist of the Year 
Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records) 
Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) 
Ed Sheeran (Atlantic Records)  – WINNER
Ariana Grande (Republic Records)
The Weeknd (XO/Republic Records) 
Lorde (Republic Records) 

Best New Artist
Khalid (RCA Records) – WINNER
Kodak Black (Atlantic Records)
SZA (TDE/RCA Records) 
Young M.A (3D) 
Julia Michaels (Republic Records) 
Noah Cyrus (Records) 

Best Collaboration 
Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez – “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (Atlantic Records) 
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We The Best) 
D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli” (Atlantic Records) 
The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer” (Disruptor Records/Columbia Records) 
Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean – “Feels” (Columbia Records) 
Zayn & Taylor Swift – “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)” (Republic Records) – WINNER

Best Pop 
Shawn Mendes – “Treat You Better” (Island Records) 
Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You” (Asylum/Atlantic Records) 
Harry Styles – “Sign Of The Times” (Columbia Records) 
Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane – “Down” (Syco Music/Epic Records) – WINNER
Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records) 
Miley Cyrus – “Malibu” (RCA Records) 

Best Hip Hop 
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) – WINNER
Big Sean – “Bounce Back” (Def Jam) 
Chance the Rapper – “Same Drugs” (Chance the Rapper LLC) 
D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli” (Atlantic Records) 
Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad & Boujee” (300 Entertainment) 
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne – “I’m The One” (Epic Records/We The Best) 

Best Dance 
Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay” (Interscope) – WINNER 
Kygo x Selena Gomez – “It Ain’t Me” (Ultra/Interscope)
Calvin Harris – “My Way” (Columbia Records) 
Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and MØ – “Cold Water” (Mad Decent) 
Afrojack ft. Ty Dolla $ign – “Gone” (Wall Recordings/Latium/RCA Records)

Best Rock 
Coldplay – “A Head Full of Dreams” (Parlophone/Atlantic Records)
Fall Out Boy – “Young And Menace” (Island) 
Twenty One Pilots – “Heavydirtysoul” (Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic Records) – WINNER
Green Day – “Bang Bang” (Warner Bros. Records) 
Foo Fighters – “Run” (RCA Records)

Best Fight Against the System (MTV Decided to present awards to all the nominees)
Logic ft. Damian Lemar Hudson – “Black SpiderMan” (Race & LGBTQ) (Def Jam)
The Hamilton Mixtape – “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)” (Immigration) (Atlantic Records)
Big Sean – “Light” (Race) (Def Jam)
Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Body image) (Def Jam)
Taboo ft. Shailene Woodley – “Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL” (Environment)
John Legend – “Surefire” (Immigration & Anti-Muslim hate) (Columbia Records)

SONG OF SUMMER – Presented by Verizon
Lil Uzi Vert — “XO Tour Llif3”

Best Cinematography 
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Scott Cunningham) – WINNER
Imagine Dragons – “Thunder” (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope) (Matthew Wise)
Ed Sheeran – “Castle On The Hill” (Asylum/Atlantic Records) (Steve Annis) 
DJ Shadow ft. Run The Jewels – “Nobody Speak” (Mass Appeal Records LLC) (David Proctor) 
Halsey – “Now or Never” (Astralwerks/Capitol) (Kristof Brandl)

Best Direction 
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Dave Meyers & the little homies) – WINNER
Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records) (Mathew Cullen)
Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records)  (Cameron Duddy & Bruno Mars) 
Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam) (Aaron A)
The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Glenn Michael)

Best Art Direction 
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Spencer Graves) – WINNER
Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records) (Alex Delgado) 
Katy Perry ft. Migos – “Bon Appetit” (Capitol Records) (Natalie Groce) 
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We The Best) (Damian Fyffe)
The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Creative Director: Lamar C Taylor / Co-creative Director: Christo Anesti)

Best Visual Effects 
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Company: Timber/Lead: Jonah Hall) – WINNER
A Tribe Called Quest – “Dis Generation” (Epic Records) (Company: Bemo/Lead: Brandon Hirzel) 
KYLE ft. Lil Yachty – “iSpy” (Atlantic Records) (Company: Gloria FX/Leads: Max Colt & Tomash Kuzmytskyi)
Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records) (Company: MIRADA)
Harry Styles – “Sign Of The Times” (Columbia Records) (Company: ONE MORE/Lead: Cédric Nivoliez)

Best Choreography 
Kanye West – “Fade” (Def Jam) (Teyana Taylor, Guapo, Jae Blaze & Derek ‘Bentley’ Watkins)  -WINNER
Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj – “Side To Side” (Republic Records) (Brian & Scott Nicholson) 
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)  (Dave Meyers) 
Sia – “The Greatest” (Monkey Puzzle Records/RCA Records) (Ryan Heffington)
Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane – “Down” (Syco Music/Epic Records) (Sean Bankhead)

Best Editing 
Future – “Mask Off” (Epic Records/Freebandz/A1) (Vinnie Hobbs of VHPost)
Young Thug – “Wyclef Jean” (300 Entertainment/Atlantic Records) (Ryan Staake & Eric Degliomini) – WINNER
Lorde – “Green Light” (Republic Records) (Nate Gross of Exile Edit) 
The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer” (Disruptor Records/Columbia Records) (Jennifer Kennedy) 
The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Red Barbaza)

About mj santilli 34829 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!
Website Instagram Twitter