Queens-raised rapper Nicki Minaj was the queen of the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.
The hip-hop superstar received the career-celebrating Video Vanguard Award during Sunday’s ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., after transforming the stage into a pink Barbie house for a racy high-energy performance filled with her biggest hits.
“I wish that Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were here,” Minaj said during her acceptance speech. “I wish that people understood what they meant and what they were going through. I wish that people took mental health seriously, even for the people who you think have the perfect lives.”
She then paid homage to rappers who died in recent years, saying, “I wish that Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD and Nipsey Hustle were here.”
“R.I.P. Daddy, cousin Richard and my business manager, Angela, who I never got to say rest in peace to publicly,” Minaj continued. “To all the artists, producers and writers who have contributed to any of my projects, also to all the people who allowed me to feature on their work, thank you.”
Dressed in a glittery outfit with long pink hair, Minaj rapped songs such as “Monster,” “Moment 4 Life,” “Superbass” and “Anaconda” during a sexually charged performance with explicit lyrics censored.
The 39-year-old, who lived in South Jamaica, Queens, and attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, also thanked Drake for his support, Rihanna, Madonna and Britney Spears for providing her with opportunities, and Lil Wayne, Lauryn Hill and Jay-Z for inspiring her as an artist.
Minaj later received the sixth VMAs trophy of her career, winning best hip hop for “Do We Have a Problem?” It was her third time winning category, breaking a tie with Drake for the most ever. She was also one of the three emcees who hosted Sunday’s ceremony, joining fellow Queens rapper LL Cool J and Jack Harlow.
The night’s top honor, video of the year, went to Taylor Swift for “All Too Well: The Short Film,” marking the third time she’s won the award to set a new record. During her acceptance speech, Swift announced she has a new album arriving in October, leading to screams from her fans.
Swift directed, wrote, produced and starred in “All Too Well: The Short Film,” which also won the award for best longform video.
“We put our entire hearts into this, trying to make something that might be worthy of the love that you, the fans, have shown this song,” Swift said after winning the first trophy. “Thank you for this beautiful indication that we did something right.”
Reggaeton rapper Bad Bunny won artist of the year, moments before giving a live remote performance of “Tití Me Preguntó” from his concert at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony presented the Puerto Rican artist with the trophy at the stadium, where he was performing for a second night in a row.
Bad Bunny’s performance energized a packed stadium, and was celebrated on social media after the artist shared kisses with a female and a male backup dancer onstage.
Song of the year went to Billie Eilish for “Happier Than Ever,” while “Boyfriend” singer Dove Cameron won best new artist and BTS won group of the year.
Harlow was first up Sunday with a performance of his chart-topping “First Class,” which features Fergie’s 2006 hit “Glamorous.” Fergie then joined him onstage for a surprise performance of her song.
Another surprise came when “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp shared a short message, with his face edited onto an MTV Moon Person hovering above the audience.
“You know what? I needed the work,” said Depp, not long after his defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard.
Harlow won the night’s first trophy, taking home best collaboration with fellow rapper Lil Nas X for their No. 1 hit “Industry Baby.” He later won song of the summer for “First Class.”
The Korean-pop girl group Blackpink performed its new single “Pink Venom” for the first time in the United States, singing and rapping while surrounded by backup dancers. Blackpink member Lisa later won the award for best K-Pop for the song “Lalisa.”
Harry Styles received album of the year for “Harry’s House,” but wasn’t at the ceremony because he had a concert at Madison Square Garden, where he’s headlining a residency.
And the Red Hot Chili Peppers were honored with the night’s global icon award, performing songs such as “Black Summer” and “Can’t Stop” before dedicating the trophy to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died in March at age 50.
Harlow tied Styles and rapper-singer Doja Cat for the most nominations at the 2022 VMAs with eight apiece.
Sunday’s show is the first at the Prudential Center since 2019 and the fifth consecutive VMAs ceremony to be held in the tristate area. Last year’s event took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Other performers Sunday included Anitta, J Balvin, Panic! at the Disco and Kane Brown.
