The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards have officially come and gone. The ceremony was held Monday, August 20, and broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Cardi B led the nominations, and performers included Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, and Panic at the Disco.
The six nominees for Video of the Year were Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, the Carters (a.k.a. Beyoncé and Jay-Z), Childish Gambino, Drake, Ariana Grande, and Camila Cabello with Young Thug. Cabello took home the trophy in a somewhat confusing win that coincided with one of the most talked-about moments of the show: Madonna’s awkward “tribute” to the late Aretha Franklin while presenting the award.
Elsewhere, Jennifer Lopez received the 2018 Video Vanguard Award, and performed a medley of her greatest hits in one of the best performances of the night. Other notable moments included Logic’s performance of “One Day” in protest of family separation, and Cardi B’s win for Best New Artist, which inspired her to celebrate her status as a new mom. In her acceptance speech, she explained that people had called her decision to have a baby a potential death knell for her career. And then she defiantly exclaimed: “You know, I had a baby, I carried a baby. I am still winning awards!”