MTV Awards 2021: More Sparks Fly On Red Carpet Than On Stage

The MTV Video Music Awards returned to New York on Sunday, with major wins for pop stars old and new.

Sparks flew before the ceremony when Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor and rapper Machine Gun Kelly were involved in an altercation on the red carpet.

Olivia Rodrigo then won best new artist and best song for Drivers License, while Justin Bieber won best artist.

The main award, video of the year, went to Lil Nas X for his single Montero (Call Me by Your Name).

"Let's go, gay agenda", hollered the rapper, who has made LGBT-positive messaging and imagery a central component of his music.

The 22-year-old, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, also gave one of the night's best performances, segueing from a marching band introduction to a lurid pink prison scene where, for good measure, he stripped to his boxer shorts and twerked in a shower.

Hosted by rapper Doja Cat, the ceremony marked the 40th anniversary of MTV's launch in America.

Madonna opened the show, telling the story of how she had arrived in New York 40 years ago "with nothing but $35 and a pair of dance shoes" before finding an ally in the new music video network.

"We formed a bond that changed my life and created a whole new art form. That's why there's only one place to be tonight," said the star, who went on to win 20 MTV "moon-person" statues.

The MTV Awards were established three years later, in 1984, and quickly gained a reputation as must-see television.

Over the years, they've been responsible for more pop culture moments than any other award show - including Madonna's debut in 1984, performing Like A Virgin while writhing around in a wedding dress; Eminem performing with an army of 100 clones; Lady Gaga's infamous meat dress; and, of course, Kanye West rushing the stage during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech in 2009.

This year, however, produced few moments that will stick in the mind. Many performances felt like diminished retreads of former glories.

It was sweet when Twenty-One Pilots singer Tyler Joseph announced during their set that his wife was pregnant - but it was nothing compared with Beyoncé revealing her baby bump during the 2011 show.

Rodrigo smashed a camera (or rather a glass plate in front of a camera) during a rousing performance of Good 4 U. But, again, Beyoncé had done it first - in her case with with a baseball bat, in 2016.

And while Doja Cat's aerial performance of Been Like This was visually stunning, it couldn't compare with Pink's death-defying acrobatics in 2009.

Somehow, this year's show was less memorable than 2020's socially-distanced ceremony.

Full list of winners

Video of the year - Lil Nas X: Montero (Call Me by Your Name)

Artist of the year - Justin Bieber

Song of the year - Olivia Rodrigo: Drivers License

Best new artist - Olivia Rodrigo

Group of the year - BTS

MTV Push performance of the year - Olivia Rodrigo: Drivers License

Best collaboration - Doja Cat ft SZA: Kiss Me More

Best pop - Justin Bieber: Peaches (ft Daniel Caesar and Giveon)

Best hip-hop - Travis Scott: Franchise (ft Young Thug and M.I.A.)

Best rock - John Mayer: Last Train Home

Best alternative - Machine Gun Kelly: My Ex's Best Friend (ft Blackbear)

Best Latin - Billie Eilish and Rosalía: Lo Vas a Olvidar

Best R&B - Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic: Leave the Door Open

Best K-pop - BTS: Butter

Song of summer - BTS: Butter

Video for good - Billie Eilish: Your Power

Best video direction- Lil Nas X: Montero (Call Me by Your Name)

Best video cinematography - Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Saint Jhn, WizKid: Brown Skin Girl

Best video art direction - Saweetie ft Doja Cat: Best Friend

Best video visual effects - Lil Nas X: Montero (Call Me by Your Name)

Best choreography - Harry Styles: Treat People With Kindness

Best video editing - Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic: Leave the Door Open

Global icon award - Foo Fighters

Best breakthrough song - Claire Rosinkranz: Backyard Boy

Best comeback song - Aly & AJ: Potential Breakup Song

Best artist x creator collab - Mustard Watermelon by Lizzo x Yayayayummy

Best audio mashup - DJ Cummerbund: Shaxicula (Toxic x Love Shack x Dragula) by Britney Spears/The B-52's/Rob Zombie

Best viral dance - City Girls x Layzchipz: Twerkulator