Taylor Swift has taken home the top prize at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards before closing out the show with a surprisingly big announcement – her new album.
“I thought it would be a fun moment to tell you that my new album comes out October 21,” said Swift after winning video of the year for her project All Too Well: The Short Film (10 minute version), which claimed best long form video. “I will tell you more at midnight.”
Swift said on social media her upcoming 10th studio album would be called Midnights, which she says will involve “stories of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life”.
The pop star’s reveal came at the end of her acceptance speech where she praised the other women in the category, which included Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo.
“I know with every second of this moment that we wouldn’t be able to make this short film if it weren’t for you – the fans,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to re-record my albums if it wasn’t for you. You emboldened me to do that.”
Rapper Jack Harlow made his mark throughout the entire show. He kicked off his performance inside a mock airplane walking down the aisle while performing his hit song First Class, which samples Fergie’s Glamorous.
The rapper joined Fergie onstage – who wore a sparkling silver dress with the red words First Class – while she sang her 2006 jam.
During the show, Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance as the Moon Man nearly three months after the verdict in his defamation trial with his former wife Amber Heard.
The 59-year-old actor floated from the ceiling while wearing the iconic astronaut outfit with his face digitally inserted into the helmet.
“And you know what? I needed the work,” Depp told the audience at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Sunday night.
Lizzo had Taylor Swift dancing out of her seat while she performed her new single 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready). She won an award for video for good for About Damn Time.
Harlow, in addition to performing and winning awards, joined LL Cool J and Nicki Minaj as the show’s hosts.
Minaj performed a medley of her career’s biggest hits from Roman’s Revenge, Chun-Li, Moment 4 Life, Beez in the Trap, Anaconda and Super Bass.
After her set, the rapper accepted the show’s Video Vanguard award, which MTV has said she’s receiving for her artistry, barrier-breaking hip-hop and status as a global superstar.
During her acceptance speech, Minaj paid tribute to other music icons such as Whitney Houston, Lil Wayne and Kanye West. She spoke about the importance of mental health.
“I wish people took mental health seriously, even when you think they have the perfect lives,” said Minaj, who later won best hip-hop for her song Do We Have a Problem? featuring Lil Baby.
Harry Styles won album of the year for Harry’s House. He was unable to attend the awards due to his show at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Bad Bunny won artist of the year and performed his hit Titi Me Pregunto from Yankee Stadium.
Eminem and Snoop Dogg brought the metaverse to the VMAs as the duo performed From the D 2 The LBC, which was featured on Eminem’s greatest hits album Curtain Call 2.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers took the stage as the recipients of the Global Icon award after being introduced by Cheech & Chong as their favourite band of all time.
The band performed several songs and their drummer Chad Smith dedicated the award to Taylor Hawkins, the late Foo Fighters drummer who died early this year.
Madonna, who is the most awarded artist in MTV history with 20 wins, became the only artist to receive a nomination in each of the VMAs five decades. She earned her 69th nomination for her 14th studio album Madame X.
© PAA 2022
