IT’S TIME Y’ALL — THE VMAs ARE HAPPENING IN JUST A FEW HOURS!
The 2022 MTV VMAs are taking over New Jersey this evening, bringing all of our favorite music industry icons and up-and-comers together for a can’t-miss show at the Prudential Center in Newark.
While the VMAs are always iconic, this year’s will really have everyone talking for many reasons. From nominees and performances to a new hosting format and special guests, this year’s show is about to turn heads for all the right reasons. Plus, artists like Doja Cat, Jack Harlow, Lil Nas X, Kendrick Lamar and Harry Styles are up for a ton of hardware this evening, and BLACKPINK will be performing on an award show stage for the first. time. ever.
To make sure you are fully prepared for later, Celeb Secrets put together a cheat sheet on all things VMAs. From a complete list of celebs making appearances to where to watch and more, this list has got ya covered.
Give us a follow on Twitter at @celebsecrets and IG at @celebsecrets, as we’ll be live tweeting (and Instagramming) the best moments from both the pre-show and the main event.
When are the 2022 MTV VMAs?
The 2022 MTV VMAs air TONIGHT, August 28th @ 8PM ET on MTV, with the official 2022 “VMAs” Pre-Show airing on Sunday, August 28th at 6:30pm ET/PT on MTV as well.
Where can you watch the show?
As we just mentioned, you can watch the 2022 MTV VMAs LIVE on MTV beginning at 8PM ET. It will also simulcast across 11 ViacomCBS channels including BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nick at Nite, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land and VH1, as well as The CW. Airing the VMAs on The CW makes the show available to an expanded audience for the first time ever.
Will there be a red carpet?
Red carpets are back and better than ever, and we’re pretty sure that our favorite celebs will bring their A-game when they pose for photos before going into the 2022 MTV VMAs.
This year, the VMAs pre-show will be hosted by Nessa and Kevan Kenny and will feature performances by Dove Cameron, MTV PUSH artist Saucy Santana and Yung Gravy. Additional coverage will come from multi-platinum selling artist Tate McRae, who joins as a special celebrity correspondent, and DJ Murda Beatz will be the Kraft Singles House DJ.
Fans can get in on the action when by tuning into the special event beginning at 6:30pm ET/PT on MTV.
Who is nominated?
There are 15 gender-neutral categories at the VMAs, and Doja Cat, Jack Harlow and Harry Styles lead lead the pack with 8 chances to win a moon person this year! Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Lil Nas X aren’t too far behind with 7 nods each, followed by Billie Eilish with 6 and BTS, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Future, Lizzo, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd with 5.
Additionally, MTV unveiled the VMA nominees in the social categories for 2022 earlier this week, which includes Group of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Album of the Year.
Voting already went down on @MTV‘s Instagram Stories for these categories, however, fans can see if their favorite won by watching both the pre-show and main event later this evening.
Group of the Year: Blackpink; BTS; City Girls; Foo Fighters; Imagine Dragons; Måneskin; Red Hot Chili Peppers; Silk Sonic
Song of the Summer: Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone: “Me Porto Bonito;” Beyoncé: “Break My Soul;” Charlie Puth: “Left And Right (feat. Jung Kook of BTS);” Doja Cat: “Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Elvis);” Future ft. Drake, Tems: “Wait For U;” Harry Styles: “Late Night Talking;” Jack Harlow: “First Class;” Kane Brown: “Grand;” Latto x Mariah Carey: “Big Energy (Remix) ft. DJ Khaled;” Lizzo: “About Damn Time;” Marshmello x Khalid: “Numb;” Nicki Minaj: “Super Freaky Girl;” Nicky Youre, Dazy: “Sunroof;” Post Malone with Doja Cat: “I Like You (A Happier Song);” Rosalía: “Bizcochito;” Steve Lacy: “Bad Habit”
Album of the Year: Adele: 30; Bad Bunny: Un Verano Sin Ti; Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever; Drake: Certified Lover Boy; Harry Styles: Harry’s House
You can view a full list of nominees here.
What about the performers?
The VMAs are known for putting on some of the biggest and buzzworthy performances in award show history, and this year will be no different. Later tonight, viewers will see Anitta, Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, Eminem + Snoop Dogg, J Balvin, Jack Harlow, Lizzo, Måneskin, Marshmello x Khalid, Nicki Minaj, Panic! At The Disco and Red Hot Chili Peppers take the iconic MTV stage with performances of some of their biggest hits. Additionally, Kane Brown will perform from the Toyota Stage.
And presenters?
Big celebs are headed to New Jersey to present hardware to this year’s nominees, including Ashley Graham, Avril Lavigne, Bebe Rexha, Becky G, Billy Eichner, Cheech & Chong (Cheech Marin + Tommy Chong), Chlöe Bailey, Dixie D’Amelio, DJ Khaled, Dove Cameron, Joel Madden, Latto, Lili Reinhart and Offset.
Is there a host?
This year, MTV is steering away from a traditional host and will once again break boundaries at the VMAs by having “emcees” throughout the evening. As previously announced, LL Cool J, Jack Harlow and Nicki Minaj will have the mics during the live telecast, as they are set to introduce the biggest moments of the night.
What else do I need to know?
Red Hot Chili Peppers will be receiving the Global Icon Award, while Nicki Minaj will be awarded the Video Vanguard Award during the live telecast. Each artist is confirmed to perform their biggest hits on the VMAs stage as well.
Additionally, fans can also get the ultimate VMAs experience on Roblox, as they’re able to launch into a custom Moon Person immersive experience. You can learn more about it here.
