An Artist Claims 'I Didn't Prepare a Speech'
This is the classic humblebrag of awards shows. An artist, weighed down by a freshly-won Moon Person, will approach the mic and feign shock, as if their team of publicists, managers, and stylists didn't spend six weeks planning for this exact moment.
They will thank their label, their fans, and maybe a family member. We see you, and we’re marking our square. Keep an eye on first-time winners or even a veteran like Taylor Swift, who has perfected the art of looking surprised after dozens of wins.
Camera Cuts to a Bored-Looking Celeb
During one of the night's lower-energy performances or a particularly long acceptance speech, the broadcast director will inevitably pan to an A-lister who forgot they were on camera. They'll be caught texting, whispering to their neighbor, or sporting a vacant expression that says, 'I wonder if I left the oven on.' With a packed house including Madonna, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter, the potential for an iconic, unimpressed reaction shot is exceptionally high.
Host Snoop Dogg Makes a Laid-Back Weed Joke
Having Snoop Dogg host the VMAs is like hiring a cat to guard a mouse—something iconic is bound to happen. It is a near-certainty that the D-O-Double-G, in his wonderfully calm demeanor, will make a not-so-subtle reference to his favorite pastime. It won’t be overt, just a smooth, sly comment that sails over the censors’ heads and lands perfectly with the audience. Expect a joke about the show feeling 'elevated' or someone needing to 'chill out.'
Awkward Banter Between Mismatched Presenters
The VMA tradition of pairing a TikTok star with a legacy actor, or a serious musician with a reality TV personality, is a recipe for glorious awkwardness. They'll read from a teleprompter with the chemistry of two strangers stuck in an elevator, laugh at jokes that don't land, and mispronounce at least one nominee's name. It's a beautiful, cringeworthy spectacle and a cornerstone of the VMA experience.
Madonna References Her Own Iconic VMA History
The Queen of Pop is opening the show for the first time in 23 years, and she leads the pack with the most nominations. There is a 100% chance she will do something to remind everyone why she's Madonna. Whether it’s a nod to her 1984 'Like a Virgin' performance, the infamous 2003 kiss, or simply an outfit that defies physics, she knows how to create a moment. A reference to her long history with the awards is not just likely; it's practically required.
Someone's Outfit Is Instantly a Meme
Long before the first award is handed out, someone will walk the red carpet in an outfit so wild, so daring, or so wonderfully weird that the internet will collectively anoint it the night's first meme. It might be a dress made of an unconventional material (a nod to Lady Gaga's meat dress) or a look with a political statement, but you'll know it when you see it. The group chat will light up, and the memes will be flying before they even make it inside the theater.
A Performance Gets Unnecessarily 'Edgy'
The VMAs were built on shocking performances, from Britney's snake to Miley's twerking. In a bid to create their own 'moment,' a performer will attempt something provocative. This could involve questionable choreography, a surprise political message, or a costume change that reveals a little too much. It might feel groundbreaking, or it might just be messy. Either way, it's a free space on your bingo card. With performers like LISA and RAYE taking the stage, we can expect high energy and polished sets.
A Heartfelt Tribute Feels Slightly Out of Place
Between the chaos and pop bangers, the show will pause for a somber, heartfelt tribute. This year, Nirvana is receiving the Video Vanguard Award, a fitting but complex honor given the band's history. Kacey Musgraves is also slated to perform a tribute to Dolly Parton. While often well-intentioned, these moments can feel tonally whiplash-inducing when sandwiched between a performance featuring pyrotechnics and an award for 'Song of the Summer.'
Taylor Swift Enthusiastically Supports Another Artist
If Taylor Swift is in the building, you can bet she’ll be the most supportive person there. She will be seen dancing wildly during someone else’s performance, giving a standing ovation to a competitor, or hugging a winner with genuine glee. It's her signature move, and it's as much a part of the VMAs as the Moon Person itself. With a new director's honor and a shot at becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history, she has plenty to celebrate.
Technical Glitch or Bleeped-Out Speech
It’s live television, folks. A microphone will fail, a backing track will skip, or, most reliably, someone will drop an f-bomb during their impassioned acceptance speech, forcing the network's censors into a frantic 7-second delay panic. The resulting moment of silence, followed by a flustered presenter or a quick cut to a commercial, is the chaotic cherry on top of the VMA sundae.
