The 2014 MTV Video Music Awards have come and gone.
For at least the next few days, you will more than likely see an abundance of viral video clips, GIF images and Internet memes that have been created from the footage captured during the live broadcast Sunday night. There were so many major highlights that will make major headlines for at least the next week or so, including:
- Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda performance and wardrobe malfunction
- Miley Cyrus allowing a homeless youth to deliver her acceptance speech
- Beyonce’s mesmerizing 17-minute song medley and performance
- The moment when Jay-Z and Beyonce kissed as Jay-Z gave her the Video Vanguard award
However, there were quite a few other moments from the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards (also known as the VMAs) that will quickly slip through the cracks since everyone will primarily be talking about those major highlights. Therefore, let’s take a few minutes to focus on the VMAs moments that you probably missed which are still worth seeing at least one more time.
JAY PHAROAH NAILS NUMEROUS IMPERSONATIONS FOR COMIC RELIEF
Even though there was not an actual host for the MTV Video Music Awards, Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Pharaoh was definitely a great dose of comic relief. Throughout the broadcast, he used a wide variety of his popular celebrity impersonations to promote the need to vote for the “Artist to Watch” award. Even though he nailed Jay-Z and Drake, perhaps his funniest impersonation of the night was of Kanye West – especially when the camera crew continuously caught the Kardashian sisters (including Kim) laughing hysterically.
SAM SMITH STIRS EMOTIONS WITH VMAS PERFORMANCE DEBUT
Sam has definitely had a great year so far with a hit album, chart-topping single and circulating rumors that claim he is the lead choice for the next James Bond movie theme song. In a recent interview , though, he stated that being able to perform at the VMAs for the first time this year was a dream come true for him.
My dreams are coming true this weekend. I’m performing at the VMAs!
Sam Smith performed “Stay with Me” on the VMAs stage and blew everyone away.
It’s nice to hear someone with actual talent. #samsmith
— Ally Castañeda (@allycastaneda) August 25, 2014
I thought #SamSmith was black when I first heard him.. His voice is definitely one of a kind!! — CORY TAYLOR (@CORYTAYLORVA) August 25, 2014
USHER BANGS ON NICKI MINAJ’S BUTT – WITH HIS HEAD!
That’s right! After Nicki Minaj was able to straighten out her wardrobe malfunction backstage after the “Bang Bang” performance, she was right back on stage with a brand new costume to rap her lines from Usher’s new single, “She Came to Give it to You.” Yes, Usher did slap Nicki Minaj on the butt. However, did you catch what he did before that? While kneeling down with his bass guitar, Usher bumped Nicki Minaj’s butt with his shoulder to the beat and then banged it like a drum with his head.
Nicki Minaj lookin like a marshmallow/pillow @ the VMAs. #vma #nickiminajvma #NickiMinajANACONDA #usher pic.twitter.com/RqzF7IWoZX
— Danny Oh (@omgdanz) August 25, 2014
A #Favorite #Usher #VMA2014 Talent…Energy…Phenomenal Entertainer..PERIOD! http://t.co/N7lDrMe0E6 @usher — TINA MONTANA (@ENVYMETEE2) August 25, 2014
TREY SONGZ FLIRTS WITH NINA DOBREV – AND BOTCHES HIS LINE!
Even though Trey Songz recovered pretty well from his failed attempt at flirting with his fellow presenter, actress Nina Dobrev, he didn’t do so well when he mispronounced the band name “The Black Keys” as “The Black Eyes” when going over the list of nominees.
Nina Dobrev and Trey Songz #VMAs pic.twitter.com/A0Fpwa5tRw
— Nika (@NikaStrong) August 25, 2014
trey songz called the black keys the blacks eyes you had one job trey — missingno (@feedingthefetus) August 25, 2014
Trey Songz just read a teleprompter and called The Black Keys… The Black Eyes. We’re gonna need 50 Cent to challenge him, ASAP.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) August 25, 2014
TAYLOR SWIFT IMPROVISES LAST-MINUTE CHANGE ON STAGE
Towards the end of her performance of “Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift was supposed to dive from the top of 1989 elevated stage into a crowd of male back-up dancers. However, at the last minute, she completely changed her mind and went down the stairs instead. As she mumbled on the mic, she referred to the unexpected snake bite that occurred during the ‘Anaconda’ rehearsal over the weekend. It was very cute and Taylor Swift was able to still end her performance on a strong note.
THIS WAS SO FUNNY I seriously thought she might jump!! @taylorswift13 https://t.co/lIW4Nyz8XL — HOLLY (@hnw424) August 25, 2014
Must be hard for Taylor Swift’s backup singers. She got the fame and the money but they got the voices and the dance moves. #hatersgonhate
— Jody (@jodsbish) August 25, 2014
KATY PERRY AND RIFF RAFF LOOK ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS Katy Perry made one of the most impressive entrances to the VMAs Red Carpet – pulling up in an orange Lamborghini. When she got out in a denim, jewel-encrusted dress, the average viewer probably thought that it couldn’t get any worst. That was, of course, until you realized that her date (rapper Riff Raff) was wearing a matching outfit with orange cornrows to match the color of the car. They claimed to be mocking the look that Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake wore to the VMAs well over a decade ago now. However, this was an epic failure .
Denim on denim! Katy Perry and Riff Raff are totally channeling Britney and Justin: http://t.co/5I6HTcC1kt #VMAs pic.twitter.com/fKK2iW8qcq — Us Weekly (@usweekly) August 25, 2014
Katy Perry’s current dream is Riff Raff so maybe don’t chase your dreams
— The 997 Dolphin (@997Dolphin) August 25, 2014
Riff Raff got Katy Perry lookin like a clown, lol. — Crystal (@CrystalBosset) August 25, 2014
COMMON HOLDS A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR MICHAEL BROWN
In addition to the short and sweet Robin Williams tribute, one of the moments from the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards that you may have missed was when Common successfully held a moment of silence as a sign of respect for Michael Brown during a planned tribute to Ferguson.
MTV VMAs Ferguson Tribute: Common Holds Moment of Silence for Shooting Victim Michael Brown http://t.co/Aoaz6czx2N … pic.twitter.com/5dHjec7xUY
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) August 25, 2014
#COMMON AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR #MIKEBROWN ?!?!? on the VMAs?!?!?! that’s amazing. i had misse that earlier
— liza (@blogdiva) August 25, 2014
Good job MTV getting #common to speak on St. Louis / Ferguson /MIKE Brown
— Ashley Silva (@AshleyBrittney) August 25, 2014
A-LIST CELEBRITIES ARE SHOWN AS UNPAID TOBACCO SPOKESPEOPLE
This final noteworthy moment from the MTV Video Music Awards was not necessarily aired during the actual broadcast itself but during the advertising segments instead. It seems as if the anti-smoking campaign The Truth was a major sponsor for the VMAs this year. They kept showing campaigns of A-list celebrities that are applauded, praised and followed by millions of people around the world (especially the young MTV fans that were more than likely watching the awards show) as unpaid tobacco spokespeople.
Using pictures of them smoking that have been shared with the general public either in printed magazines or online, The Truth’s #FinishIt campaign labeled these smokers – including Rihanna, Robert Pattinson, Orlando Bloom, Chris Brown, Kristen Stewart, and Lady Gaga – as being unpaid tobacco spokespeople.
Omg that #finishIt @truthorange anti tobacco add feat. celebrities is brilliant. So true too but wonder how many cease & desist they’ll get
— Dallas (@DallasLikeTexas) August 25, 2014
Best part about the VMA’s besides Beyonce was 100% the @truthorange commercials! https://t.co/fce3A86Y5E #finishIT
— Gaby Dalkin (@WhatsGabyCookin) August 25, 2014
What did you think about these moments from the MTV Video Music Awards? Which one was your favorite?