2019 VMAs: People in Patterns

Taylor Swift in Versace

-Newark, NJ - 20190826 - 2019 MTV Video Music Awards Arrivals at Prudential Center -PICTURED: Taylor Swift -PHOTO by: JOHN NACION/startraksphoto.com This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Startraks Photo for licensing fee and rights information at sales@startraksphoto.com or call +1 212 414 9464 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded

I appreciate Taylor Swift as much as anyone else, but I have to confess: I am hating this super 80s Versace thing she's been doing to promote Lover. I think part of the issue is that it's not being styled very smartly -- this would look better, I think, with a ponytail. The blazer and the hair and the bangs and the lipstick, it's just VERY busy, and I think it ends up feeling sort of stale on her.

HER

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/Shutterstock (10369347bc) H.E.R. MTV Video Music Awards, Arrivals, Prudential Center, New Jersey, USA - 26 Aug 2019

EXCUSE ME, but she looks amazing in this and she's wearing a snake as a scarf.

Monica in Libertine

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock (10369399aa) Monica MTV Video Music Awards, Press Room, Prudential Center, New Jersey, USA - 26 Aug 2019

This is also TERRIFIC. I personally feel like the beret might have been a step too far, but this dress is CUTE.

Normani in Nicolas Jebran

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (10372507x) Normani arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center, in Newark, N.J 2019 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet, Newark, USA - 26 Aug 2019

I know that all the kids are into Normani, because our Twitter often has people tweeting that they'd like her to run them over with a truck or whatever (it's a compliment from the kids to be like, "please dismember me"). All I know is: She looks way cuter in this than many would, her makeup is great, and the VMAs IS the place for a rainbow sarong dress.

Ice T and Coco

-Newark, NJ - 20190826 - 2019 MTV Video Music Awards Arrivals at Prudential Center -PICTURED: Coco, Ice-T -PHOTO by: JOHN NACION/startraksphoto.com This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Startraks Photo for licensing fee and rights information at sales@startraksphoto.com or call +1 212 414 9464 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded

I appreciate how Ice T's reaction to Coco, to whom he has been wed lo these many years, is always, "CHECK OUT THIS FINE LADY!" Get you a man, etc.

DJ Khaled

This looks like the promo shot for a bad CBS sitcom where DJ Khaled plays Leah Remini's harried husband. It's called I Miss Doug.

FKA Twigs in Edmarler

-Newark, NJ - 20190826 - 2019 MTV Video Music Awards Arrivals at Prudential Center -PICTURED: FKA twigs -PHOTO by: JOHN NACION/startraksphoto.com This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Startraks Photo for licensing fee and rights information at sales@startraksphoto.com or call +1 212 414 9464 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Startraks Photo reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded

This has about eleven too many things happening on it. At the very least, she could lose the sash.

Grace Chatto in Alessandra Rich

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/Shutterstock (10369347al) Grace Chatto - Clean Bandit MTV Video Music Awards, Arrivals, Prudential Center, New Jersey, USA - 26 Aug 2019

Because I know some of you will wonder, as I did: Grace Chatto is NOT related to Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret's daughter. (That was the intersection of a very specific GFY Venn diagram.)

Sandra Denton AKA Pepa

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock (10369348co) Sandra Denton MTV Video Music Awards, Arrivals, Prudential Center, New Jersey, USA - 26 Aug 2019

YOU GUYS. It's Pepa, of Salt-n-Pepa. She appears to be living her best life, which is all I want, and also like she could step into a role in Chicago at any moment, which is now ALSO something that I want.