MTV’s Video Music Awards have provided us with iconic pop culture moments for the past 34 years. From Britney Spears and Madonna snogging on stage, to Lady Gaga turning up in a dress made entirely from meat, and Miley Cyrus introducing us to the twerk — it’s never a dull event. 

This year, female performers and winners led the night. Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift were the biggest winners, after receving ten nominations each. And Missy Elliot gave an incredible performance before picking up the Vanguard award for her 20+ year long career. 

But Twitter was also quick to pick up the smaller, yet nonetheless equally iconic, moments from the night. Never one to let us down, the social media platform lit up with thousands of truly hilarious, heartbreaking and powerful tweets. 

John Travolta mistakenly gives Taylor Swift’s award to Jade Jolie

Drag queen Jade Jolie portrayed Swift in her music video for You Need to Calm Down. Jolie joined Swift, along with other stars of the video, to collect the award for Video of the Year. John Travolta, who was presenting the award with Queen Latifah, mistook Jolie for Swift. Twitter instantly went into LOL meltdown, claiming that Travolta tried to give the award to the wrong Taylor before quickly realising his mistake. 

Normani performs solo for the first time — and it’s incredible

Normani is best known for being a member of American pop group Fifth Harmony. But the singer debuted as a solo artist with her first performance of Motivation at the VMAs. Twitter was blown away by her silky vocals and energetic dancing. Seriously, it’s tiring just watching it. 

Miley Cyrus breaks hearts with her Slide Away performance

Tissues at the ready, people. Cyrus had pretty much everyone in tears with an emotional performance of her new heartbreak anthem Slide Away. It was all the more poignant as she very recently announced her split from husband Liam Hemsworth.

Lizzo is typically Lizzo and we wouldn’t have it any other way

Lizzo’s uplifting, empowering performances should probably be available on prescription for self-esteem — and her VMA performance was no different. Taking to the stage with her female dancers, they performed Truth Hurts and Good as Hell in front of an inflatable butt on stage.

“I’m tired of the bullshit,” she told the crowd. “And I don’t have to know your story to know that you’re tired of the bullshit too.”

Amen to that. 

Halsey and Taylor Swift meet each other, but what did they say?

As well as creating some of the best music out there right now, Halsey and Swift are currently using their platforms to shout about LGBTQ+ equality. So we all want to know what they quickly chatted about when they met in the audience at the awards show.

We can’t wait to see what next year brings.

Images: Getty