MTV VMAs 2018 winners: The complete list

The annual MTV Video Music Awards unfolded in the early hours of this morning, seeing a number of mainstream music artists vying to bag one of those silver astronaut statuettes.

There was a plethora spectacles at this year’s event – including a pre-show performance from VMA MVPs Backstreet Boys and a performance by Jennifer Lopez of a medley of her greatest hits (which proved to be a necessary jolt of life to the otherwise dull event).

As Vox outlined, the ceremony lacked spark this year due to a series of lukewarm wins, a lack of “sense of cohesion or drama . . . and any of the musical beef that’s made the show so exciting in past years.” Meanwhile, Madonna’s self-indulgent Aretha Franklin tribute was all about herself and left viewers fuming about her performance for the Queen of Soul.

#VMAs: The Queen of Pop @Madonna pays tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin: "I want to thank you, Aretha for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Long live the queen." pic.twitter.com/ugdxbr48Gz

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 21, 2018