No iconic award show is complete without those jaw-dropping moments that live rent-free in our heads forever. And the MTV VMAs? They have got that down to a sparkly science, serving up glitz, glam, and plenty of meme-worthy madness over the years. From Ye (formerly Kanye West) crashing Taylor Swift’s big moment in the most awkward way possible to legacy-level comedy, the VMAs never fail to deliver. This year was no different as the show was packed with wild, side-splitting moments. 

For those who missed the prime-time chaos, here is a recap of 5 iconic moments that are bound to stick for at least seven lifetimes.

Sabrina Carpenter might have landed on this year’s MTV VMAs snub list, but she still stole the show in style! Performing a cheeky medley of her hits ‘Please Please Please,’ ‘Taste,’ and ‘Espresso,’ she wowed the crowd with a fierce catwalk before recreating that kiss from her ‘Taste’ music video. On-stage kisses are old news but this time, the plot-twist was the pleasing pill.

Carpenter swapped out Jenna Ortega and Rohan Campbell for an alien and an astronaut, ripping the alien away from the astronaut for a steamy moment, and taking her legacy very literally out of this world.

Sabrina Carpenter Revives Iconic Madonna at MTV VMAs 2024 in This Sparkly Moment

Though Carpenter did her thing, the cameras decided to add their own little flair to the next moment!

When Katy Perry hit the attendee list with the buzzworthy honor of receiving the historic MTV Video Vanguard Award, the 2024 VMAs were set to be a night for the books. But when she took the stage, soaring through the air in a gravity-defying performance, the cameras caught another kind of freefall—zooming in on fiancé Orlando Bloom just as Perry almost locked lips with Doechii mid-performance.

While Bloom’s relief was real later on, the cameras did their trick for the night. Since on-stage kisses seeped into a whole new level this year, how could controversy fall back?

Despite snagging Best New Artist at the MTV VMAs and officially entering the big leagues, her newfound fame came with a splash of drama. While her bold, edgy look turned heads, it was her fiery red carpet showdown with F-bombs with a photographer that stole the spotlight.

It was a rare moment to witness, and fans definitely took notice. However, now that the drama has cooled off, here is a meme-worthy reaction courtesy of Tyla, which found its way into endless templates.

Tyla strutted into the MTV VMAs like she owned the place, but it is her priceless but killer reaction that has had the internet in a frenzy. During Megan Thee Stallion's performance, the cameras hit her out of nowhere, catching her totally off guard with eyes so wide that fans thought she almost gagged.

Fans were quick to say it was the surprise factor, but in all honesty, the meme-fest was bound to happen. Though it happened during Stallion’s performance, she herself delivered the night's most iconic moments.

Megan Thee Stallion was an unstoppable force all night, rocking multiple outfit changes, including one straight out of her Gladiator-II inspired Pepsi ad. This campaign follows the legendary 2004 Super Bowl Roman Empire commercial starring Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Pink.

In true Stallion fashion, she could not resist dropping a confident-yet-humble gem, saying with a playful mix of disbelief and swagger, “I’m enough for three women!” She called the moment iconic, reminding everyone she is that girl, always has been, and always will be—no questions asked.

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Which one is your favorite moment from the 2024 MTV VMAs? Let us know in the comments below!