The MTV Video Music Awards return to New York City for this year’s ceremony. Broadcasting the network’s most iconic event of the year from Barclays Center, music’s hottest stars will gather for a night of performances, celebration and unpredictable moments.
Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Bieber lead this year’s nominations with seven and nine nods, respectively. Both are competing for artist of the year, for which category they are also up against Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift. Megan (alongside Cardi B) and Doja Cat are also both up for Video of the Year, positioning them as the only women nominees against DJ Khaled and Drake, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd and Lil Nas X.
As a five-time nominee, Doja Cat will pull triple duty as host and performer also— a rightful honor for an artist who has put out stellar visuals over the last year. She is joined in the lineup by Justin Beiber, Normani, Camila Cabello, Chlöe, Doja Cat, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X, Machine Gun Kelly, Shawn Mendes, Olivia Rodrigo, Jack Harlow, Ozuna, The Kid Laroi and Twenty One Pilots.
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Rock darlings the Foo Fighters will also grace the VMA for the first time since 2007. Their return coincides with the band receiving the first-ever MTV VMAs Global Icon Award.
With our vast array of options to watch TV, how do you tune in? If you’ve stayed loyal to traditional cable, you’ll be good to go on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET if you just turn on the MTV channel. Pivot online, and you can stream the ceremony on vma.mtv.com or the MTV app. The VMAs will also be available on streaming services, including Hulu Live, YouTube TV, Sling TV and FuboTV. Before you settle on a choice, be sure the plan from your provider includes MTV. Fourteen of the gender-neutral categories are fan-voted (including big honors like Video of the Year), so you’ll want to be sure to catch if your fav won their Moonperson.
Looking to kick off the festivities early? The VMA pre-show starts at 6:30 p.m. on MTV. Hosted by Nessa Diab and Jamila Mustafa, the 90-minute mini-ceremony will feature Tinashe and performances from Kim Petras, Swedish House Mafia and Polo G. They will also give out the Group of the Year and Song of the Summer awards.
See also: Here Are All the 2021 MTV VMA Nominees
Photography by: Rommel Demano/BFA.com
