VMAs 2024: Best and worst moments, from Taylor Swift and Eminem to Sabrina Carpenter and Katy Perry

After two years at the Prudential Center in New York, NJ, the 2024 Video Music Awards are back in New York — but not at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall or Brooklyn's Barclays Center. Instead, the VMAs were held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.

Party train on the Long Island Rail Road!

But while New York has always brought out the best in the awards show — which began 40 years ago on September 14, 1984 — the location probably wouldn't have made much of a difference with its waning relevance this year.

But while it's no longer the must-attend event it once was — since MTV's disconnect from music — the VMAs aren't dead yet. While Wednesday night was nothing that came close to the iconic moments of years past — and the awards themselves became more of a concern for the performances — they still had the almighty Taylor Swift, who won her fifth Video of the Year award in a fortnight.”

Here are the best and worst moments from the 2024 VMAs

Worst: Eminem

It made sense for Eminem to open the show: After all, he was VMAs royalty — and had six nominations on the night on the strength of his “Houdini” video from his album “The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe De Grace).” But his 2000 performance The look-alike-laden throwback — which ranged from “Houdini” to “Somebody Save Me” (with pre-recorded footage of Jelly Roll) — was a reminder that, 24 years later, the VMAs aren't what they used to be.

Best: Taylor Swift

First, props to Tay for showing up at the VMAs, again adding much-needed relevance and star power to the proceedings. And leading with 10 nominations, he made sure not to go home empty-handed when he and Post Malone won the first television award of the night: Best Collaboration for “Fortnite.” But a day after making a political statement endorsing Kamala Harris for president, Swift also remembered 9/11 in a way that put all the festivities into perspective.

Worst: Lisa

Paris Hilton – who threw in her catchphrase “It's hot” – was not Lisa at all. This K-pop singer was even more of a K-flop when she performed with an army of dancers who couldn't save her from pure gimmicks that left us all wondering how she got the invite.

Best: Teddy Swim

While it's a mystery why she was relegated to the Extended Play stage, the singer-songwriter had a welcome display of soulful vocals — and a sense of pride — as she sang her mega-hits “Loss Control” and “The Door.” ” He of course brought up Shawn Mendes, who had a main-stage spot to perform his new single “Nobody Knows.”

Best: Sabrina Carpenter

In a performance that reminds you of how the VMAs have showcased the hot artists of the moment in the past, Carpenter performed a medley of “Please Please Please,” “Test” and “Espresso” with some moonman-like dancing astronauts.

Worst: Katy Perry/Orlando Bloom

After the TMI the couple has been sharing, Orlando Bloom's fiancee Katy Perry's video of Vanguard performing and presenting her with the award was a bit of a bummer. It seemed a little too nepotistic when there had to be someone who wasn't her baby's father who could do the honors. It took away from his moment — and with that extended smooch, gave us more couple creeps that we didn't need. And his performance was nothing to rave about.

Best: Chappell Roan

After getting into it with a photographer on the red carpet, breakout artist Rowan brought a different kind of fire to the stage at the VMAs in her performance of “Good Night, Babe!” Along with Carpenter, Rowan felt he was the right kind of artist to be there at the right moment. It helped fill in for the fact that other top acts — like Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and SZA — were MIA. And then, to boot, she won Best New Artist with an empowering, weirdly-positive speech.

Worst: Megan the Stallion

From Nicki Minaj to Doja Cat, the VMAs in recent years have featured hosts doubling as performers. It's almost as if they need to sweeten the deal to get someone to commit – otherwise they're just hitting big enough names to get around. But Megan the stallion wasn't capable of pulling double duty. He wasn't just a host, though he performed better when he performed a medley. But it was more Megan than we needed.

Best: Lenny Kravitz

On a night when rock was sorely lacking, let Kravitz, 60, perform “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” “Human” — for which he won best rock video — and a revamped “Fly” with Migos' Quavo. Away” which brought us back to life after 26 years.

Worst: Camila Cabello

The former Fifth Harmony singer gave a melodramatic performance of her new single “Godspeed” — a song no one knows or cares about yet — staged as if she were in a cage. That was almost enough for your ex Mendes to go in there and save him with a bit of “senorita.”