(VOVWORLD) - Rapper Lil Nas X and pop star Justin Bieber won the top prizes at MTV's annual Video Music Awards (VMA) show on Sunday, in a ceremony packed with surprise appearances, live performances and thousands of masked fans.
 Justin Bieber gives a speech after receiving the award for artist of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in New York on Sept 12, 2021. (CHARLES SYKES / INVISION / AP) |
Newcomer Olivia Rodrigo and K-pop band BTS were also among the big winners at the first major awards shows in New York to be held with a full audience of fans and celebrities since the coronavirus pandemic.
Bieber, 27, returned to the VMA stage for the first time in six years and took home Moon Person statuettes for artist of the year and best pop for his single "Peaches."
Lil Nas X, 22, who had a breakout hit with "Old Town Road" two years ago, won video of the year for his gay rights anthem "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)."
Rodrigo, 18, took home three awards, including best new artist and song of the year for "Drivers License" in the fan-voted awards, capping a break-out year.
BTS was named group of the year and won best K-Pop for single "Butter".