The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) will return this year for an in-person show on Sept. 12, airing live from the Barclays Center in New York City.
No performers have been revealed yet, but according to the announcement, the ceremony, which will air in over 175 countries, will “feature performances from some of music’s biggest stars and celebrate the return of live entertainment.”
Honoring the 20th anniversary of 9/11, MTV is collaborating with 9/11 Day for a series of service-oriented activities during the week leading up to the VMAs. MTV’s alliance with members of the 9/11 community, which dates back to 2001’s “Concert for New York City,” will honor the lives lost, their families, those injured and first responders.
Details about performers and presenters will be announced closer to the show.
Last year’s VMAs, hosted by Keke Palmer, were held virtually across multiple locations around New York City, with no audience members in each. A total of 6.4 million viewers tuned in from home; according to the announcement MTV gathered 41.1 million interactions across social media.
The 2020 ceremony featured performances from BTS, The Black Eyed Peas, DaBaby, The Weeknd, Doja Cat, Maluma with CNCO and Ariana Grande. Lady Gaga took home five awards, including the first ever Tricon award, honoring stars who are true triple-threats. BTS, Taylor Swift, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion and Blackpink were also big winners, and there were two new quarantine-specific categories: best new music video from home (won by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber for “Stuck With U”) and best quarantine performance (given by CNCO).
