The real highlight 2019 MTV Video Music Awards wasn't only the stars — it was New Jersey. The show was broadcast for the first time from New Jersey at the Prudential Center in Newark and even featured a Jersey native as host, comedian Sebastian Maniscalco.
The Jonas Brothers – from Jersey – won the VMA for best pop song for "Sucker," after performing their hit at the Stone Pony, the legendary music venue in Asbury Park.
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And the show's finale honored the state's rap roots with a medley performance from New Jersey natives Queen Latifah, Naughty by Nature, Redman, Fetty Wap, and Wyclef Jean. Ice T, a Newark native, introduced the performance, which featured everything from "O.P.P." to "U.N.I.T.Y."
Taylor Swift took home video of the year and video for good award for "You Need to Calm Down." The Berks County native has been a champion for the Equality Act, a petition even appears at the end of her winning video. She called out President Donald Trump in her acceptance speech and during her performance for "You Need To Calm Down" and "Lovers" with a graphics overhead that said, "Equality Act."
Lizzo proved that she is 100% that b*tch, and she's here to tell you about self-love and rocking confidence. "I wanna take this opportunity right now to just feel good as hell because you deserve to feel good as hell," the singer shouted to the audience during her performance. She will perform at Made in America in Philadelphia during Labor Day weekend.
Other VMA winners included Ariana Grande who was named artist of the year, and Billie Eilish won best new artist and best video editing for "Bad Guy." Eilish also was MTV's "Push Artist of the Year."
See below for the full list of winners for the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.
MICHAEL JACKSON VIDEO VANGUARD AWARD
Missy Elliott
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road(Remix)” – Columbia Records
BEST NEW ARTIST
Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records
BEST COLLABORATION
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records
PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records
BEST POP SONG
Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records
BEST HIP-HOP SONG
Cardi B – “Money” – Atlantic Records
BEST R&B SONG
Normani ft. 6lack – “Waves” – Keep Cool/RCA Records
BEST K-POP SONG
BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records
BEST LATIN SONG
ROSALÍA & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura” – Columbia Records
BEST DANCE SONG
The Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha – “Call You Mine” – Disruptor/Columbia Records
BEST ROCK SONG
Panic! At The Disco – “High Hopes” – Elektra Music Group
VIDEO FOR GOOD
Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records
BEST DIRECTION
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road(Remix)” – Columbia Records – Directed by Calmatic
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier & Lucas Salton for BUF VFX
BEST EDITING
Billie Eilish – “bad guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Editing by Billie Eilish
BEST ART DIRECTION
Ariana Grande – “7 Rings” – Republic Records – Art Direction by John Richoux
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
ROSALÍA & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham
BEST GROUP
BTS
BEST POWER ANTHEM
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign“Hot Girl Summer”
SONG OF THE SUMMER
Ariana Grande & Social House – “boyfriend”
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