Dear Gossips, 

The MTV VMAs are happening this Sunday, August 28 with LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj, and Jack Harlow as “emcees”. The reason that’s in quotations is because MTV is making a point of not calling them “hosts”:

“This year’s ceremony will take a new and unique approach in contrast from the traditional “host” gig seen in previous years…”

I don’t know what this means. But I can’t say that I’m all that curious about what it means. For me, the artists I’m most looking forward to seeing are BLACKPINK and Bad Bunny who are both scheduled to perform. 

 

Speaking of August 28 though, do you remember what happened on August 28, 2011 at the VMAs? Oh come on, we should all have this memorised:

Beyoncé performs onstage at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards
Beyoncé performs onstage at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 28, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA

How long has it been since you watched that performance of “Love On Top” and, of course, the famous mic drop at the end? It is still exhilarating after all these years. 

 

There was a time when Beyoncé would have been the main event at the VMAs, especially after an album drop. But she has redefined how she manages her celebrity and it doesn’t seem like she’s about to do MTV any favours by showing up and giving them an exclusive first live performance of any of her music off of RENAISSANCE. The Carters were seen in Croatia earlier this week, ahead of her birthday, ignoring our pleas to give us any visuals. 

 

Visuals, of course, are what MTV is supposed to celebrate. And, well, we all know the standard Beyoncé has set with her visuals. So… umm… not to rush Her Majesty but when are these visuals coming? 

Will it be on the cultural holiday known as her birthday, September 4? If she’s on that big boat out there on the Adriatic, I’m assuming everything is wrapped up, waiting to go, as soon as she decides to press the button. But whennnnnnn? 

Yours in gossip,

Lainey