> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2021 VMAs: The Show Itself - URL: https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/2021-vmas-the-show-itself/ - Published: 2021-09-13T18:45:03.000Z - Updated: 2021-09-13T21:20:19.000Z - Author: Jessica - Tags: fugs, #wp, #wp-gallery, #slideshow, #Import 2026-10-07 08:15 ## Doja Cat in Thom Brown ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bf/b9/bfb99790-924d-4e41-a7e6-5e3c6e04fe57/content/images/static-gofugyourself-com/uploads/2021/09/gettyimages-1235224289-1631503600.jpg) US rapper Doja Cat arrives on stage to accept the Best Collaboration award for "Kiss Me More" featuring SZA during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, September 12, 2021\. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) I LOVE her for wearing this. It is SO SILLY and fun. (She herself announced that she looked "like a worm.") ## Doja Cat and SZA ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/12441644cg-1631504624-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644cg) Doja Cat, left, and SZA accept the award for best collaboration for "Kiss Me More" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 SZA -- who also looks really cute, although I was sort of worried her dress was falling apart??? -- is like, "you DO look like a worm!" It's a very cute worm, though. It's like a worm in a beloved children's book. ## Doja Cat ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-1339943553-1631503611.jpg) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Doja Cat speaks onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images) This is honestly a hoot. She later sat on this chair. I need to figure out a way to pull this off myself for events where I'm going to wait in line. Like Disney. ## Doja Cat ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-1339945210-1631503623.jpg) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Host Doja Cat speaks onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS) This is somewhat generic but she gave it a lot of oomph on camera that doesn't really come through here. ## Doja Cat ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661bw-1631504582.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661bw) Doja Cat performs at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 Little known fact: It's not legally a VMAs unless someone sings while hanging from the ceiling. (It segued into interpretive dance; this was actually a very interesting performance.) ## Doja Cat ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/IMG_4083-1631513155-scaled.jpg) Apologies for the janky quality here but none of our photo services had a photo of this and I had to take it off the TV. Needless to say: !!!!!!!!!!! I was writing something else when she came on stage in this and when I looked up and saw her, I literally said "WHOA," like aloud to no one, and I also sort of jumped? GOD it made me feel alive. WTF IS HAPPENING HERE? I love her so much now?!?!?! This is HILARIOUS. ## Jennifer Lopez ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644q-1631504491-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644q) Jennifer Lopez presents the award for song of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 Told you she looks great and was wearing an outfit that was extremely strings-forward. ## Kacey Musgraves ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-1339932225-1631503634.jpg) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Kacey Musgraves performs onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS) Tell me this is a breakup album using ONLY FLAMES TO SPEAK. ## Billie Eilish ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644ar-1631504388-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644ar) Billie Eilish accepts the award for video for good for "Your Power" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 I really enjoy her blonde, and also this ensemble is VERY cozy for September. This is what I wear to shuffle out to get the paper in January. Like, in a good way. She looks like a polished paper-getter. (I fall more on the Haggard Crone end of the scale.) ## Normani ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644bs-1631504414.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644bs) Normani performs "Wild Side" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 2021 is bring us a lot of Cute Bionic Looks. Honestly, that might come in handy given how things are going. ## Chloe Bailey ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644by-1631504426.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644by) Chloe Bailey performs "Have Mercy" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 This was a good performance -- it was very dramatic; there was some interpretive dance involved -- and FYI, hot pink is having a moment. ## Chloe Bailey ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661bn-1631504560.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661bn) Chloe Bailey performs "Have Mercy" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 She did not wear her cape the entire time. You can really tell from this performance that Beyonce has mentored Chloe and Halle (that's a compliment, obviously, although I don't think anyone can touch Bey when it comes to turning in a flawless live performance). ## Lil Nas X ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661av-1631504532-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661av) Lil Nas X performs "Industry Baby" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 What did I say about hot pink? Lil Nas X ALWAYS puts on a good show, and this was no different. (I appreciate the masks.) I also chortled when he won Video of the Year and thanked "the gay agenda." ## Dave Grohl (with Foo Fighters) ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644cl-1631504437.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644cl) Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters performs at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 This was a great medley performance and they looked, you know, like Foo Fighters. (I fell into an interesting wormhole about famous drummers after Charlie Watts died and just learned something I'm sure a lot of people know, which is that Grohl did the drumming track on "Everlong" because Taylor Hawkins hadn't joined the band yet. \[Taylor wrote RIP CHARLIE on his drum kit last night.\]) Anyway, they were great. When they accepted their award, Grohl noted that they'd been a band for 26 years and I sincerely felt like that was impossible until I did the math and also remembered that I could LITERALLY be Lil Nas X's mom. And not in a Lorelei Gilmore way!) ## The Kid Laroi ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644k-1631504464.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644k) The Kid Laroi performs "Stay"at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 As I said earlier, I liked this performance and also I like that he is dressed like the floor manager at the Gap who has to stop folding shirts because he has TO SING!! ## Bieber ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644l-1631504476-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644l) Justin Bieber performs "Stay"at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 Biebs also fell into the Gap perhaps. ## Bieber ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661bp-1631504571.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661bp) Justin Bieber accepts the award for artist of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 Justin Bieber is VERY into oversized items at the moment; I will say that I thought his performance was really good, and his speech was pretty heartfelt. I hope he's doing well. ## The Lady Bieber ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644bc-1631504402.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644bc) Hailey Bieber introduces a performance by Kacey Musgraves at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 Hailey Bieber is so beautiful but this doesn't really do her justice. (Later, she was wearing something I didn't get a shot of but can only describe as a tank top and maxi-skirt made of Muppets. HAVING SAID THAT, the tank/Muppets shirt outfit was actually really cool and more interesting than this, but I also think it would have looked weird with this camera framing.) ## Olivia Rodrigo ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661ad-1631504517-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661ad) Olivia Rodrigo performs "Good 4 U" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 This is VERY on the nose for this pop/punk party prom princess feel she's giving but also...that's totally fine for this event and makes sense for this performance. ## Camila Cabello ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661bg-1631504549.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661bg) Camila Cabello performs "Don't Go Yet" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 This felt like....15% too overwrought for me, yet I also appreciate that she went for it. ## Shawn Mendes ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/12441661aj-1631505168-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661aj) Shawn Mendes performs "Summer of Love" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 This was moderately soothing. I like this sweater. Obviously. ## Ozuna ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661cq-1631504605-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661cq) Ozuna performs "La Funka" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 This involved a giant claw game and a dance off! As things so often do. The song is very catchy though. ## Travis Scott ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661cx-1631504766.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661cx) Travis Scott accepts the award for best hip-hop for "Franchise" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 I gotta say, he looked VERY chic in this. ## Tyler Joseph, of Twenty One Pilots ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441661s-1631504777.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661s) Tyler Joseph, of Twenty One Pilots, performs "Saturday" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 His outfit is neither here nor there, but in the middle of the performance, he was like, "Oh hey, my wife is pregnant! It's our second baby! I didn't want to text everyone!" I laughed. It was sweet. This IS better than just posting it on Insta. ## Machine Gun Kelly ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_editorial_12441644cw-1631504449-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441644cw) Machine Gun Kelly accepts the award for best alternative song for "My Ex's Best Friend" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 He performed with Travis Barker, and Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian introduced them as the future fathers of their children and I have to say -- Kourtney seems MUCH happier with Travis than she did with Scott Disick. So good for all of you! (And I really want Travis to be happy after he almost died in that plane crash!) This was actually when he won best alternative video -- I have to say, this shirt is rad and I actually really like this song so CARRY ON EVERYONE. ## Spliff Star, left, and Busta Rhymes ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/12441661ea-1631505489-scaled.jpg) Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (12441661ea) Spliff Star, left, and Busta Rhymes perform at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center, in New York 2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show, New York, United States - 12 Sep 2021 This felt right. (This was also a good performance, I thought.) ## AJ McLean, Lance Bass, and Nick Lachey ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-1339944205-1631509957.jpg) NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) AJ McLean, Lance Bass, and Nick Lachey speak onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images) It took me a LONG time to realize this was AJ??!?! He looks like a chic version of the Man in the Yellow Hat. Lance looks like Lance Bass. Nick Lachey looks EXACTLY as he did 20 years ago. [Should We Discuss the VMAs Broadcast? Why Not!Did you watch?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bf/b9/bfb99790-924d-4e41-a7e6-5e3c6e04fe57/content/images/static-gofugyourself-com/uploads/2021/09/gettyimages-1235224289-1631503600.jpg)](https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/should-we-discuss-the-vmas-broadcast-why-not-09-2021/)