The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards has come and gone and left a trail of epic photos in its wake. The stars turned up in droves for the black carpet at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Aug. 28, including Lizzo, Jack Harlow, and Dove Cameron, among others. Performances from artists like Blackpink and Panic! at the Disco captivated the crowd with show-stopping numbers.
The night’s big winners included Taylor Swift, whose “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” nabbed her video of the year, best longform video, and best direction. Of course, the real queen of the show was emcee and 2022 Video Vanguard Award-winner Nicki Minaj, who impressed with a compilation of her greatest hits and then sweetly shouted-out her toddler son, known publicly as Papa Bear, during her acceptance speech.
But even those big moments weren’t the only jaw-dropping segments of the night. From the red carpet to backstage to, well, on the stage, here are the coolest pictures captured during the 2022 VMAs.
Getty / Arturo Holmes
Nicki Minaj and LL Cool J at the 2022 MTV VMAs
The pair of Video Vanguard winners served as emcees for the evening on Aug. 29.
Getty / ANDRES KUDACKI
Jack Harlow at the 2022 MTV VMAs
Harlow nabbed three Moon Person awards on Sunday, all for his collab with Lil Nas X, “Industry Baby.” The categories? Best collaboration, best art direction, and best visual effects.
Getty / Arturo Holmes
J Balvin and Ryan Castro at the 2022 MTV VMAs
Fans were treated to a performance of J Balvin and Ryan Castro’s new collaboration, “Nivel De Perreo,” during the show.
Getty / ANGELA WEISS
Lizzo at the 2022 MTV VMAs
Lizzo helped kick off the evening, taking the stage totally solo to perform her hits “About Damn Time” and “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready).”
Getty / ANGELA WEISS
Maneskin at the 2022 MTV VMAs
Even a wardrobe malfunction couldn’t stop Italian band and best alternative video winners Maneskin from rocking the VMAs stage.
Getty / Noam Galai
Bad Bunny at the 2022 MTV VMAs
Bad Bunny wasn’t physically at the Prudential Center; instead, the artist of the year winner performed via telecast from nearby Yankee Stadium during his tour stop.
Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris
Lil Nas X at the 2022 MTV VMAs
The best collaboration winner walked the carpet in an impressive Harris Reed-designed head piece.
Getty / ANGELA WEISS
Anitta at the 2022 MTV VMAs
The singer was backed by a group of dancers who joined her for a dance break to a funky beat during her performance. The rhythm was actually criminalised in her home country of Brazil for many years, making Anitta’s big moment even more meaningful.
Getty / ANGELA WEISS
Nicki Minaj at the 2022 MTV VMAs
The 2022 Vanguard honoree performed a lengthy mash-up of some of her biggest hits, like “Moment 4 Life,” “Chun-Li,” and “Roman’s Revenge.”
Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris
Taylor Swift at the 2022 MTV VMAs
As she accepted the video of the year honor, Swift dropped some exciting news: her next studio album, “Midnights,” will be released in October.
Getty / ANGELA WEISS
Fergie and Jack Harlow at the 2022 MTV VMAs
Show opener Harlow surprised fans when he brought out Fergie to perform his hit “First Class” with him. The track, of course, samples her popular song “Glamorous.”
Getty / Doug Peters - PA Images
Panic! at the Disco at the 2022 MTV VMAs
Much of Panic! at the Disco’s Sunday performance was broadcast in black and white, extending the vintage vibes the onstage car created.
Getty / Catherine Powell
Sheri Easterling and Yung Gravy at the 2022 MTV VMAs
“Betty” rapper Yung Gravy and his date, Sheri Easterling, whose daughter is TikTok star Addison Rae, showed PDA throughout the evening – backstage and in the audience.
Getty / John Shearer
Blackpink at the 2022 MTV VMAs
Blackpink made their VMAs performance debut on Sunday, treating audiences to their new single, “Pink Venom.”
