Photos: Memorable VMA moments | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Entertainment
Movies
Television
Celebrity
More
Movies Television Celebrity
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Movies
Television
Celebrity

Follow CNN
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App

Photos: Memorable VMA moments

Updated 7:55 PM EDT, Wed September 11, 2013
Link Copied!
Here's a look back at some of the most memorable MTV Video Music Awards moments over the years. Dressed in a revealing wedding dress, lace gloves and her infamous "boy toy" belt, Madonna performed "Like a Virgin" at the first Video Music Awards in 1984. Her album of the same name, which dropped that November, went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time. Click through to see how many you remember:
Memorable VMA moments: 1984 —
Here's a look back at some of the most memorable MTV Video Music Awards moments over the years. Dressed in a revealing wedding dress, lace gloves and her infamous "boy toy" belt, Madonna performed "Like a Virgin" at the first Video Music Awards in 1984. Her album of the same name, which dropped that November, went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time. Click through to see how many you remember:
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
After his 1991 arrest made him the target of some gags, Paul Reubens took the VMAs stage as Pee-wee Herman, asking, "Heard any good jokes lately?"
Memorable VMA moments: 1991 —
After his 1991 arrest made him the target of some gags, Paul Reubens took the VMAs stage as Pee-wee Herman, asking, "Heard any good jokes lately?"
Getty Images
Howard Stern, dressed as "Fartman," showed off his butt cheeks at the 1992 show in a pair of tight yellow pants with strategically placed cutouts. The audience got a good look at the radio personality's derriere when he was lowered onto the stage to present an award.
Memorable VMA moments: 1992 —
Howard Stern, dressed as "Fartman," showed off his butt cheeks at the 1992 show in a pair of tight yellow pants with strategically placed cutouts. The audience got a good look at the radio personality's derriere when he was lowered onto the stage to present an award.
Getty Images
Newlyweds Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley smooched on stage in 1994 after Jackson addressed the crowd, "And just think, nobody thought this would last." The pair of course parted ways less than two years later.
Memorable VMA moments: 1994 —
Newlyweds Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley smooched on stage in 1994 after Jackson addressed the crowd, "And just think, nobody thought this would last." The pair of course parted ways less than two years later.
Getty Images
Lil' Kim wore a purple wig and pantsuit to the 1999 VMAs. Revealing her left breast, which was covered by a matching pasty, the getup gave a whole new meaning to off the shoulder. Diana Ross fondled Lil' Kim's exposed lady part during the show, and we've never been able to forget it.
Memorable VMA moments: 1999 —
Lil' Kim wore a purple wig and pantsuit to the 1999 VMAs. Revealing her left breast, which was covered by a matching pasty, the getup gave a whole new meaning to off the shoulder. Diana Ross fondled Lil' Kim's exposed lady part during the show, and we've never been able to forget it.
Getty Images
Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford literally raged against the 2000 VMAs after losing best rock video to Limp Bizkit. Commerford climbed a set on stage during Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst's acceptance speech. Charges for assault and resisting arrest were eventually dropped.
Memorable VMA moments: 2000 —
Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford literally raged against the 2000 VMAs after losing best rock video to Limp Bizkit. Commerford climbed a set on stage during Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst's acceptance speech. Charges for assault and resisting arrest were eventually dropped.
Getty Images
At the 2002 awards show, Eminem got into an altercation with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the celebrity-mocking puppet who first appeared on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." The rapper shoved the puppet during its interview with Moby, whom Eminem bashed during his acceptance speech later that night.
Memorable VMA moments: 2002 —
At the 2002 awards show, Eminem got into an altercation with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the celebrity-mocking puppet who first appeared on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." The rapper shoved the puppet during its interview with Moby, whom Eminem bashed during his acceptance speech later that night.
Getty Images
How does an iconic pop star pass the torch? By kissing her successors on stage at the 2003 VMAs, of course. Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera donned wedding dresses to pay homage to Madonna's 1984 performance of "Like a Virgin" before Madge joined them on stage. She danced with and kissed each of the young singers before calling Missy Elliott to the stage.
Memorable VMA moments: 2003 —
How does an iconic pop star pass the torch? By kissing her successors on stage at the 2003 VMAs, of course. Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera donned wedding dresses to pay homage to Madonna's 1984 performance of "Like a Virgin" before Madge joined them on stage. She danced with and kissed each of the young singers before calling Missy Elliott to the stage.
Scott Gries/Getty Images
After shaving her head and seeking treatment in early 2007, Britney Spears' VMA performance was touted as her "comeback." However, the singer's awkward "Gimme More" performance was met with critical reviews. Time said the usually confident Spears looked "tired, nervous, uncomfortable, aloof and out of place."
Memorable VMA moments: 2007 —
After shaving her head and seeking treatment in early 2007, Britney Spears' VMA performance was touted as her "comeback." However, the singer's awkward "Gimme More" performance was met with critical reviews. Time said the usually confident Spears looked "tired, nervous, uncomfortable, aloof and out of place."
Getty Images
Taylor Swift's 2009 acceptance speech for best female video was cut short when Kanye West rushed the stage and proclaimed, "Yo Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'll let you finish, but Beyonce has one of the best videos of all time." Bey went on to win the video of the year for award for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)." She invited the "You Belong With Me" singer back on stage to finish her acceptance speech. At the 2010 awards show, Swift forgave West with a song.
Memorable VMA moments: 2009 —
Taylor Swift's 2009 acceptance speech for best female video was cut short when Kanye West rushed the stage and proclaimed, "Yo Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'll let you finish, but Beyonce has one of the best videos of all time." Bey went on to win the video of the year for award for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)." She invited the "You Belong With Me" singer back on stage to finish her acceptance speech. At the 2010 awards show, Swift forgave West with a song.
Getty Images
In 2010, Lady Gaga accepted the award for video of the year wearing a dress, hat, heels and clutch made of raw meat. She even asked Cher, who presented her with the award, to hold her meat purse while she thanked her fans. Gaga later explained the look, saying, "If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones. And, I am not a piece of meat." She showed up to the 2011 VMAs in drag, dressed as her alter ego Jo Calderone.
Memorable VMA moments: 2010/2011 —
In 2010, Lady Gaga accepted the award for video of the year wearing a dress, hat, heels and clutch made of raw meat. She even asked Cher, who presented her with the award, to hold her meat purse while she thanked her fans. Gaga later explained the look, saying, "If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones. And, I am not a piece of meat." She showed up to the 2011 VMAs in drag, dressed as her alter ego Jo Calderone.
Kevin Winter/Jason Merrit/Getty Images
 After Beyonce finished singing her hit "Love on Top," she dropped the mic, opened her jacket and revealed the baby bump that would become Blue Ivy.
Memorable VMA moments: 2011 —
After Beyonce finished singing her hit "Love on Top," she dropped the mic, opened her jacket and revealed the baby bump that would become Blue Ivy.
MTV
Taylor Swift has long been an artist of the people, but she strutted her stuff in little black shorty shorts and crowd-surfed during a performance of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
Memorable VMA moments: 2012 —
Taylor Swift has long been an artist of the people, but she strutted her stuff in little black shorty shorts and crowd-surfed during a performance of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Miley Cyrus was met with a general consensus of disgust after she twerked and gyrated on stage as Robin Thicke sang his hit single "Blurred Lines" during the 2013 VMAs.
Memorable VMA moments: 2013 —
Miley Cyrus was met with a general consensus of disgust after she twerked and gyrated on stage as Robin Thicke sang his hit single "Blurred Lines" during the 2013 VMAs.
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for MTV

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Entertainment
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.