After last year’s trip to Los Angeles, the annual event — celebrating the best of music and videos — has returned to the place where it all began: New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, where the first-ever VMAs aired back in 1984.
This year’s show, airing live on Monday, Aug. 20, comes with the theme of “Everything Might Happen” — meaning surprises aren’t just a possibility, they’re a guarantee.
Who’s Hosting?
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Well here’s the first surprise… there isn’t a host! WhileKaty Perrytook on the emcee reins last year, this year the show is going host-less.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be someone to kick things off. RapperCardi Bwill open the 2018 show, in what will be her first public appearance sincewelcoming daughter Kulture Kiariless than two months ago.
Cardi, born Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, shared the news on Wednesday, clarifying on her Instagram Stories that her appearance won’t be a performance.
Still, it’ll be a big night out for the new mom. Weeks earlier, she backed out ofBruno Mars‘ fall 24K Magic Tour to spend more time with her newborn daughter and recover from her labor and delivery.
“I thought that after giving birth to my daughter that 6 weeks would be enough time for me to recover mentally and physically,” she wrote. “I also thought that I’d be able to bring her with me on tour, but I think I underestimated this whole mommy thing.”
Who’s nominated?
Cardi’s appearance at the show makes sense, considering she’s leading the nominees with ten nominations.The Carters — Beyoncé and JAY-Z —follow with eight nods for their collaboration,“APES—”whileChildish GambinoandDrakeare tied for seven nominations each.
The night’s biggest category is video of the year. It’ll be a battle betweenAriana Grande(for “No Tears Left to Cry”), Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B (for the remix to “Finesse”),Camila Cabelloft. Young Thug (for “Havana”), The Carters (for “APES**T”), Childish Gambino (for “This Is America”), and Drake (for “God’s Plan”).
As a reminder, in an effort for inclusion, the “Moonman” trophy is now a “Moon Person,” while all gendered categories (best male video, best female video, etc) have been dropped. An artist of the year is now in place. Grande, Cardi, Drake, Cabello, and Mars are all up for artist of the year as well, alongsidePost Malone.
For a full list of nominees, click here.
Who’s performing?
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Most of the major nominees will take the stage, including Grande, who will perform her latest single “God Is a Woman.”Shawn Mendes(singing “”In My Blood”), Panic! At the Disco (doing “High Hopes”),Logicwith Ryan Tedder (doing “One Day”), Maluma and Malone are all on the schedule too.
Travis Scottwill also be making his first solo VMA performance with songs from his newly released albumAstroworld.
Meanwhile,Nicki Minajwill be performing too, but not from Radio City. The Trinidadian-American rapper, who grew up in Queens, will perform on the VMAs for the seventh time, but from a remote New York location.
Who’s presenting?
Milla Cochran/startraks
In place of the host, a slew of celebrity talent will help guide the show.
When does it all start?
Is there a preshow?
Yes! PEOPLE will be livestreaming from the red carpet, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Jersey Shore‘sPaul “Pauly D” DelVecchio, andVinny Guadagninowill be hosting the show alongside Terrence J., Nessa, with performances from The Backstreet Boys, Bazzi and Bryce Vince.
source: people.com
