Of all the awards shows, the MTV Video Music Awards seems to attract the most stars making statements, whether they’re political, social or personal initiatives. This year’s carpet is no exception.
In addition to daughter Blue Ivy, Beyonce brought the mothers of Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Oscar Grant to the VMAs tonight. All the women (except Grant) appeared in Beyonce’sLemonade visual album holding pictures of their deceased sons.
In 2012, Martin’s death sparked the beginnings of the Black Lives Matter movement. Brown, Garner, and Grant were all victims of police-related shootings that have caused outrage and protest across America.
Beyonce won the Video of the Year Award, and dedicated it to the people of New Orleans, where she filmed much of "Lemonade."
During the show, Alicia Keys noted the 53rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech, and shared a poem that touched on the cause of racial equality.
The evening’s red carpet activism began with Lance Bass, who donned a bright blue jacket that made his aversion to a certain presidential candidate quite clear.
The piece was designed by Rey Ortiz, and is emblazoned on the back with the phrase “Love Trumps Hate.” The “o” in love, naturally, is a heart. The musician paired the statement-making jacket with black pants, a white shirt and tie. This election cycle, Bass has already been outspoken about his allegiance to Hillary Clinton, though he’s not a member of either political party.
LOVE TRUMPS HATE: Lance Bass at the 2016 MTV VMAs. (Photo: @MTV/Twitter)
Amber Rose’s cause is less political in nature but is one she promotes proudly. The mom, talk show host and emoji creator walked the red carpet flanked by men in MUVA shirts—her self-proclaimed nickname, slang for “mother”—while she wore a black pants suit with a lacy bra underneath. Her big push: the upcoming Amber Rose Slut Walk, on October 1. The feminist (and ex of Kanye West’s) has made it her personal mission to end sexual violence, body shaming and slut shaming.
Smoking—specifically teen smoking—was the focus of Teen Wolf actress Holland Roden’s efforts at the VMAs, where she appeared in an ivory Kayat jumpsuit and cape with sparkling gold glitter roots. She filmed a video especially for the awards show with Truth Orange, which aims to discourage smoking by showing how it destroys one’s social life. The actress shared the video and hashtag #squadless on social media as she headed to the red carpet.
While she didn’t come out and say it, Catfish host Nev Schulman’s fiancé Laura Perlongo seemed to be making a statement about flaunting her baby bump. She clearly felt no shame or reason to hide it under clothes, turning up on the carpet wearing only black pants, an open olive-colored bomber—which coordinated with her love’s ensemble perfectly—and body chain, putting her tanned bump front and center.
