Johnny Depp’s appearance at VMAs divides audiences

Johnny Depp made his first major appearance since winning his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard at Monday’s MTV Video Music Awards. While the actor didn’t attend the event in person, he appeared digitally as the face and voice of the awards’ mascot.

Johnny Depp faced the crowds – albeit virtually – in his first major appearance since winning his defamation trial.Credit:MTV

Depp appeared as a floating astronaut who was lowered from the roof early in the show, and seemed to reference the fallout from his ugly legal battles with Heard, which cost him his recurring role as Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

“I needed the work,” Depp said in a pre-recorded bit. “I just want you guys to know I’m available for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, weddings, wakes … Any old thing you need.”

The appearance has reignited public debate on the Depp v Heard saga. Social media support has tended to swing in Depp’s favour since the case dominated headlines and social media feeds earlier this year. Supporters celebrated with the hashtag #JohnnyDeppRisesVMA while others criticised the actor’s involvement.

Depp is set to star in upcoming historical French film Jeanne du Barry as King Louis XV and is directing an Al Pacino-backed biopic about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani.

Taylor Swift also made a surprise attendance at the awards and sent fans into overdrive. They speculated her silver Oscar de la Renta dress, adorned with chunky crystals, was a “revenge dress” that referenced her outfit at the 2009 VMAs, when Kanye West infamously stormed on stage to interrupt her acceptance speech for best female video.

Swift poured fuel on the flames of fan excitement by revealing a new album, Midnights, is set for release on October 21, after she won video of the year for All Too Well, which also scored best direction and best longform video.

Nicki Minaj smashed a career-spanning medley including hits Anaconda, Super Bass, and her career-defining verse on Monster, which she performed while circling a dancer bound to a chair who resembled rival Cardi B.

Minaj was presented the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award by five representatives from her fan group, the “Barbz”. In her acceptance speech Minaj paid tribute to artists who had passed away.

“I wish Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were still here,” said the rapper. “I wish that people understood what they meant and what they were going through. I wish people took mental health seriously, even for the people who we think have perfect lives.”

Newcomer rapper Lisa claimed the K-pop category, snapping a three-year winning streak by supergroup BTS, who’ve won the award every year since the category’s introduction in 2019.

Jack Harlow scored four VMAs, three of which were for his Industry Baby collaboration with black-carpet standout Lil Nas X.

Lil Nas X arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Centre before taking home three VMAs for Industry Baby.Credit:AP

Other major gong recipients included Harry Styles, who accepted album of the year and best pop in a pre-recorded video as he was about to go on stage “just down the road” at Madison Square Garden.

Bad Bunny did one better and accepted the award for artist of the year midway through a show at Yankee Stadium.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers performed new single Black Summer and their 2002 classic Can’t Stop before accepting the global icon award.

Bassist Flea delivered the night’s quirkiest acceptance speech, gushing: “I love cockroaches and dirt and trees and every human being … And fishing and deers and deer antlers, and birds, and the sky and love. And everything that isn’t love is cowardice.”

The Kid Laroi was nominated for three categories with his blockbuster single with Justin Bieber, Stay, but didn’t land a win.

K-pop group Blackpink, which includes Melbourne-born member Rose, made their US awards show debut with a dance-heavy performance of Pink Venom and won best metaverse performance, a new category for virtual performances.

2022 MTV Video Music Awards winners highlights:

Global icon award: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Video Vanguard award: Nicki Minaj

Video of the year:
Woman, Doja Cat
Way 2 Sexy, Drake ft. Future & Young Thug
Shivers, Ed Sheeran
As It Was, Harry Styles
Industry Baby, Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow
Brutal, Olivia Rodrigo
Winner:All Too Well (10-minute version) (Taylor’s version), Taylor Swift

Artist of the year
Drake
Ed Sheeran
Harry Styles
Jack Harlow
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Winner: Bad Bunny

Song of the year
Easy on Me, Adele
Woman, Doja Cat
Cold Heart (PNAU Remix), Elton John and Dua Lipa
About Damn Time, Lizzo
Stay, The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber
Winner: Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish

Best new artist
Baby Keem
Gayle
Latto
Maneskin
Seventeen
Winner: Dove Cameron

Best collaboration
Way 2 Sexy, Drake ft. Future and Young Thug
Cold Heart (PNAU Remix), Elton John and Dua Lipa
Sweetest Pie, Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa
One Right Now, Post Malone and The Weeknd
La Fama, Rosalia ft. The Weeknd
Stay, The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber
Winner: Industry Baby, Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow

Best pop
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Woman, Doja Cat
Shivers, Ed Sheeran
About Damn Time, Lizzo
Traitor, Olivia Rodrigo
Winner: As It Was, Harry Styles

Best metaverse performance
BTS, Minecraft/YouTube
Charli XCX, Roblox
Justin Bieber: An Interactive Virtual Experience, Wave
Rift Tour ft. Ariana Grande, Fortnite
Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience, Roblox
Winner: Blackpink The Virtual, PUBG

Group of the year
Blackpink
City Girls
Foo Fighters
Imagine Dragons
Maneskin
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Silk Sonic
Winner: BTS

Album of the year
30, Adele
Un Verano Sin Ti, Bad Bunny
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Certified Lover Boy, Drake
Winner: Harry’s House, Harry Styles

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