Even in the midst of a pandemic, awards show season must go on. MTV’s Video Music Awards will be taking place remotely this year, broadcasting live beginning at 8 p.m. EST tonight.
The VMAs had been scheduled to take place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, but this year, Keke Palmer will be hosting the event from home while the musical performances are going cross-borough, taking place at various outdoor venues across NYC with limited or no audience in attendance.
Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande are set to perform their song “Rain On Me” live for the first time. Both musicians lead this year’s VMA nominations with nine awards each, seven of which are for their new hit single. Korean boy band BTS will also be performing their new English-language single “Dynamite” on TV for the first time, and the Black Eyed Peas—who last performed on the awards show 17 years ago—will sing their new song “Vida Loca.” Rapper DaBaby will be making his debut as a VMAs performer, as well.
In addition to all those firsts, viewers can also expect performances by The Weeknd, Maluma, Miley Cyrus, Doja Cat, and CNCO. The VMAs will also boast a star-studded pre-show featuring Chloe x Halle, Machine Gun Kelly with Travis Barker and blackbear, Jack Harlow, Lewis Capaldi, and Tate McRae.
Both the pre-show and show will air on MTV and be live streamed on MTV.com, and simulcast across ViacomCBS networks, including BET, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1 and The CW.
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