The Return of the Award Show Red Carpet with the 2020 MTV VMAs.
It's official! Award Shows are back, people! Sunday, August 30th, 2020 marked the official return of Award Shows with the 2020 MTV VMAs. While the air was thick with the effects of a worldwide pandemic - hello socially distanced interviews and masks galore - I would say for the first ever virtual VMAs, I was pleasantly surprised.
The Award Show took place at various COVID safe venues across New York and featured performances from some of the biggest stars of the year including the highly anticipated performance from Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. I will be the first to admit I did not watch the actual Award Show (shoutout to not having cable), so any and all of my judgments are purely coming from the pre-show.
To be honest, in years past the pre-show is really the main show for me as that's where I could get a firsthand glimpse at all the Red Carpet Looks. The VMAs have always been a favorite of mine to recap because the fashion is outlandish, over the top, daring and provocative for the most part. All qualities you really wouldn't see on any other Red Carpet unless we're talking about the MET (#tears #toosoon).
I want to make note how IMPRESSED I was with the pre-show hosting. Usually watching Award Shows I always feel a twinge of cringey vibes watching correspondents awkwardly interview celebs or clumsily transition from location to location. Come on, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. And while I'm not a host myself nor can I ever understand the pressure that comes from interviewing such high-profile guests on one of music's biggest nights, I do expect a certain level of professionalism.
I didn't even have to watch the actual show (hosted by the beautiful, multi-talented powerhouse Keke Palmer) to know that pre-show hosts Nessa Diab and Jamila Mustafa STOLE that show honey. Every time Jamila opened her mouth I dropped whatever I was doing and paid attention. Both of them were SUCH naturals with such effortless poise in front of the camera and I was legitimately captivated by every word coming out of their mouths. Not to mention the fact that they're stunningly beautiful.
One more callout from the pre-show before I dive into the lewks, Chloe and Halle. Talk about being captivated and awe-stricken. I'll never forget the first time I saw Chloe and Halle at Beautycon probably back in 2017 and I was blown away by their raw talent. Fast-forward a few years and no surprise they're actually taking over the globe with their angelic melodies.
I've honestly never heard voices like theirs and the fact that they're so young (Chloe is 21 and Halle is 19) I CANNOT! I stan Chloe and Halle and now thanks to the pre-show I stan them even harder.
Anywayyy, back to the only thing that really matters. The Fashun. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly) there wasn't much of a Red Carpet to recap this VMAs. But my proverbial tears have been shed and I managed to pull together my top five looks from the evening which don't get me wrong they were still really strong. But when you're choosing five out of like ten looks, the disappointment is still nevertheless palpable.
Here are my top five looks from the 2020 MTV VMAs (in no particular order).
Maluma in Versace (Image courtesy of JustJared.com)
I'll be the first to admit I haven't been a particular Maluma stan however as of August 30, 2020, SIGN ME UP SIS! I mean who isn't a sucker for a man in a well tailored, Versace suit. Maluma always seems to be paying attention to the details in his looks and last night was no different. Aside from the incredible details in his double-breasted suit with striping down the side of the pants, he also layered in some simple, jewelry. Te Amo Maluma!
Nicole Richie in Cong Tri (Image Courtesy of the New York Post)
It should come as no surprise that our friend Nicole Richie made the best-dressed list. No stranger to fashion, this designer showed up on the Red Carpet in this stunning lime green billowy gown. Because of the length of this dress and the unfinished vibe it has, it WORKS for the edgy VMAs. Not to mention the outlandish color pairing of her dress and shoes. She took a risk with this color and honey, the risk paid off.
Machine Gun Kelly in Berluti (Image Courtesy of Rich Fury/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images)
Another person I found love for on the MTV VMAs Red Carpet was Machine Gun Kelly which was in large part due to this head to toe hot pink number from Berluti. I'm here for a man who isn't afraid to take risk when it comes to his fashion choices even if that means wearing hot pink. Let's not overlook his pearl necklace either. Attention to details and sharply dressed?! Megan Fox, I can understand...
Joey King in Versace (Image Courtesy of Pop Sugar -- Rich Fury/MTV VMAs/Getty Images)
She's elegant, she's young, she's fresh and STILL edgy. Okay Joey King, I see you! While she looks so regal and chic, all it takes is her opening her mouth to remember she's still a member of Young Hollywood and so genuine and down-to-earth even while dripping in Versace. I loved this color palette on her and her styling team did an incredible job with every single detail of this look from her perfectly parted hair down to her "Ruby Reb Slippers." Bravo Joey King, Bravo.
Bebe Rexha in Lionne Clothing (Image Courtesy of Bebe Rexha's Instagram)
What I love about this look is it's still an elevated Red Carpet look while being attainable, if that makes sense? Girlfriend wore BIKE SHORTS on the Red Carpet. Not to mention the fact that this blazer dress she's wearing retails for under $400. Not something I'm going to be adding to cart anytime soon but it's certainly more attainable than a Versace dress (no offense Joey). Rexha is someone who's style I value and emulate. She is not afraid to stand out and take risks while still remaining true to her overall aesthetic. I know I said I wasn't playing favorites butttt I think this may have been my favorite look of the evening.
And there you have it, 2020 MTV VMAs Red Carpet officially recapped. Probably the quickest recap blog post I've ever written but at this point I'm just grateful for the return of Award Shows, (semi-live) Performances and a quasi-Red Carpet.