On Sunday, August 28, the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey played host to the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. Co-hosts Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow, as well as Lizzo, Meneskin, J Balvin, Anitta, Bad Bunny, Blackpink, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flo Milli, and many more, were among the many performers at the 2022 show. Below is a complete roster of the ceremony’s pre-show and main-show performers.
Taylor Swift took home her fifth trophy of the evening for “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” near the end of the show. When she accepted the award for Video of the Year, she used her acceptance speech to reveal her upcoming album, Midnights. View the complete roster of winners at the 2018 Video Music Awards.
Anitta
The winner of the first-ever Brazilian Video Music Award for Best Latin Performance, “Envolver,” from her upcoming 2022 album Versions of Me, was performed live.
Bad Bunny
El Conejo Malo performed “Titi Me Pregunto,” a song from his album Un Verano Sin Ti, via satellite link from his second sold-out show at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. After his performance, he was also given the Artist of the Year award.
Blackpink
The K-Pop royalty, including Best K-Pop winner Lisa, made their first appearance at a U.S. award show by performing “Pink Venom,” the lead single from their upcoming album Born Pink. And for their virtual concert in PUBG: Battlegrounds, they took home the award for Best Metaverse Performance as well.
Conan Gray
On the Doritos Extended Play Stage, Rodrigo’s friend performed two songs from his most recent album, Super cache.
Dove Cameron
Dove Cameron, a former Disney star, performed a medley of her songs “Boyfriend” and “Breakfast” during the pre-show, channeling Madonna and sporting shoulder pads fit for the gridiron. Avril Lavigne, a previous winner, later presented Cameron with the Best New Artist award.
Flo Milli
Two songs from her latest album, You Still Here, Ho?, were performed by the sassy Alabama rapper.
J Balvin Featuring Ryan Castro
The Colombian superstar J Balvin and his fellow countryman Ryan Castro sang their ode to perreo in front of a huge set of augmented reality butt cheeks.
Jack Harlow Featuring Fergie
After sampling Fergie’s “Glamorous” for his Song of the Summer award-winning track “First Class,” co-host Harlow acknowledged the song’s impact on his own musical development.
They performed both songs together in a medley with the help of the ex-Black Eyed Peas.
JID
The Spillage Village MC played two songs from his 2022 album The Forever Story outside of Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center. However, guest artists Kenny Mason, 21 Savage, and Baby Tate were noticeably absent.
Kane Brown
Toyota paid for this show by the post-country rock band Auto-Tuned in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Lauren Spencer Smith
Lauren Spencer Smith, a high school senior, used to be on American Idol. Outside the venue, she sang two new songs while wearing leopard print urban camouflage.
Lizzo
Lizzo won Video for Good after performing her chart-topping singles “About Damn Time” and “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready).” She used her acceptance speech to mock her critics.
Måneskin
Onstage at the Video Music Awards, the raunchy rockers brought the excitement of Eurovision—and almost total nudity—with their smash hit “Supermodel.”
Nicki Minaj
Co-host and performer of a career-spanning medley that included “Super Bass” and “Anaconda,” as well as her current smash “Super Freaky Girl,” winner of the 2022 Video Vanguard Award.
Panic! at the Disco
The single off their new album, Viva las Vengeance, “Don’t Let the Light Go Out,” was re-recorded by the alternative boy band in black and white.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
This year’s ceremony honored the Gen X funk-rockers by naming them Global Icons; original stoner duo Cheech & Chong served as their hosts.
Saucy Santana
J Balvin’s attempt to keep up with the augmented reality antics that would ensue inside the VMAs building could be attributed to the fact that Saucy brought arguably “Too Much” “Booty” to the pre-show.
Yung Gravy
During his performance of “Betty,” which sampled Rick Astley, the singer and rapper dressed as Barry Gibb.
What Was The Show, And Where Can You Watch It?
On Sunday, the VMAs will start at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. Besides MTV, the show can be seen on BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, and VH1.
The pre-show will air on MTV, CMT, MTV2, Logo, and VH1 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern and Time, with the main show following shortly thereafter.
Who Was The Host?
LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj, and Jack Harlow, all rappers, will host this year’s Video Music Awards. The network has hinted at “a new and unique approach” to the show rather than the “traditional ‘host’ gig seen in previous years.”
After sharing the stage with Lil Nas X for a duet of their hit “Industry Baby” at last year’s show, Harlow will make his VMAs debut as a performer in addition to hosting.
Minaj, meanwhile, will be honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and perform a set of her greatest hits live on the show’s broadcast.
