VMAs Red Carpet: Outrageous Antics, Donald Trump and Songs of the Summer
Much like the MTV Music Video Awards themselves — hosted by Miley Cyrus in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday — the event’s red carpet was full of over-the-top ridiculousness and crazy antics.
The long, winding carpet was packed with thousands of reporters, photographers and screaming teens, who were told at one point by a woman’s voice blaring over the PA system, “Kids, you need to back up.”
In addition to the usual photos and interviews, the carpet was treated to several live performances, including Nick Jonas’ performance of his new song “Levels,” an energetic cover of “Uptown Funk” by Todrick Hall and Walk the Moon, who played their hit “Shut Up and Dance.”
Walk the Moon’s summer sing-along jam has been part of a crop of songs in contention for this year’s song of the summer, which — without a ubiquitous and earworm-y track of “Call Me Maybe” proportions — has been a highly debated topic in certain circles over the past few months.
Youtube savant Tyler Oakley asserted that Jepsen, in his heart, is still queen of the summer.
“Carly Rae Jepsen’s new album — incredible,” he told Variety on the carpet of the Canadian singer’s recently released “E.mo.tion.” “C-R-J has brought it.”
His friend and fellow Internet celeb Grace Helbig went a different direction with her choice, saying that her summer jam has been Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.”
“I love a cheesy anthem,” she said. “Like ‘Chariots of Fire’ — give me that. Give me ‘Eye of the Tiger.’”
Jamaican singer OMI’s remixed track “Cheerleader” definitely warrants a bid in the summer-song race. The performer said he has a long list (as long as Taylor Swift’s in “Blank Space”?) of summer songs that he can’t stop playing.
“Besides ‘Cheerleader’?” he joked when asked which is his favorite. “From Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” to Wiz Khalifa “See You Again” to Justin Bieber, Skrillex and Diplo. It’s crazy,” he said. “Every artist who has been up there on the charts with me, they deserve to be there.”
Vance Joy, whose breakout track “Riptide” peaked too early for summer favorite consideration, said he’s a fan of the Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel my Face.”
“It’s just a jam, the pre-chorus is awesome,” said the Australian singer who has spent the past few months touring with Taylor Swift. The “1989” singer and VMAs champ took to the red carpet with her girl squad, but didn’t stick around for press. Other big-name stars at the carpet included the evening’s host, Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber and Britney Spears.
Still, while the celebs were eager to chime in about their favorite songs, they were not quite so eager when it came to politics. But their quips and comments were still almost as amusing as Frankie Grande, who hung around the carpet far longer than most, covered in glitter.
Trump questions reaped responses that included joking reprimands: MTV’s “Faking It” star Bailey De Young commented, “You’re not supposed to talk about politics,” while Gigi Gorgeous joked, “I love Donald Trump’s hotels.”
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