2021 MTV VMAs: Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, and the 14 most unforgettable moments of the night

Madonna opened the show letting us know there is only one place to be tonight… MTV. Also can we talk about that walk off stage. We hate to see her go, but love to watch her leave.

For the first time in 6 years Justin Bieber returned to the VMAs stage and he brought along his newest bestie The Kid LAROI for a hyped performance of their hit single “STAY,” followed by “Ghost,” off his recent album Justice.

Olivia gave us all the sugar and spice, during her performance of “good 4 u,” plus some balloons, confetti and all the teenage dreams. Rodrigo was clearly having the time of her life on stage and obvi so did we, but on our couch. 🤷‍♀️ we can’t all be Pop’s newest princess.

Can we get a little commotion for the hostess with the mostest? Not only did Doja Cat do it to it as this year's VMAs host, she also delivered a suspended performance of “Been Like” that had us on another Plant, Planet Her to be exact. And just when we thought she was finished Doja descended to sing “You Right” minus The Weeknd, but still lit nonetheless. The whole thing was truly out of this world.

First he broke then internet, then our jaws because umm we still haven’t been able to pick them up off the floor after watching that EPIC performance of “Industry Baby” with some special help from Jack Harlow. That dance break tho! Also we’re here to second that Jack did NOT peak in high school what so ever and that he’s very much out here getting cuter #callus.

Also AHHHH! Lil Nas X won Video of the Year for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)." Yup, suck it h8rs! And as Nas said, let’s hear it for “the gay agenda!”

Dale, who else is living for this new Camila Cabello era?! Seriously tho, her fiery hot, flamenco vibes performance of “Don’t Go Yet” might have started in black and white, but legit had us seeing color from the jump. Directly following Camila’s performance was her mans, or as she called him “my guy” Shawn Mendes with a joyous performance of his latest single “Summer of Love.” We love a power couple moment.

A celebratory moment fo sho. Justin Bieber hopped onstage to accept his moon person for Artist of the Year. Things got weird, and no we’re not talking about his outfit. He called the coronavirus a “covid thing,” expressed his love to Travis Scott, and told Conor McGregor he’d “get em next time.” He did also thank his fans and show his wifey Hailey some love so at least that checks.

“Lord, have mercy!” Chloe straight ate up the VMA stage with her debut solo performance of debut solo single “Have Mercy,” and what a debut it was. Clearly tonight was the night of the dance breaks because ummm wow, NGL we’re still speechless. The theatrics! The wardrobe! Chloe has officially arrived and we’re all better for it.

Yaaaas! Normani did not come to play, showing us her live “Wild Side” and we’re just as obsessed with as we are the music video. As expected the entire thing was music to our ears and aggressively sexy. At the end she even brought out a tied up Teyana Taylor to grind all over. Like we said, OBSESSED.

From what she wore, to what she said. Doja Cat came back from commercial break looking like THIS and playfully played some major icons for their unforgettable VMA moments, making an unforgettable moment of her own.

All of Doja Cats outfits tho - the chair hat, the talon toe heels... but did we expect anything less. The answer is NO.

Foo Fighters turned the Rock all the way up at the 2021 MTV VMAs as they were honored as the very first U.S. Global Icon Award winners. The Foos performed a medley of hits including “Learn To Fly,” “Shame Shame,” and “Everlong.” Plus, drummer Taylor Hawkins paid tribute to one of the great drummers of all time, the late Charlie Watts, with "Charlie R.I.P." on his drum set.

Alicia Keys and Swae Lee turned the VMAs into an after hours club with their soulful performance of “LALA” live at Liberty State Park. Keys then took her spot behind the piano as she serenaded the crowd with a rousing rendition of “New York” as the camera panned to the picturesque skyline in the background, just one day after the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

What just happened tho! Busta Rhymes made a surprise appearance at the VMAs and from the moment Swizz Beatz announced him the crowd went wild and NGL they still might be jumping and we don’t blame them because only one word comes to mind — EPIC - all caps, no cap. We literally had to stop, drop and attempt to rap with him when "Look At Me Now" starting playing. And that was just one of the many legendary tracks Busta served up. Ugh! Basically do yourself a favor, find the performance and WATCH IT!

Introduced by Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian as their “future baby daddies,” Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker took to the VMAs stage to perform MGK’s latest single “papercuts.” It was a fitting end to a perfect night.