Lil Nas X walked away from last night’s MTV Video Music Awards as the prince of the ceremony, nabbing three Moon Person trophies for his video for “Industry Baby” alongside Jack Harlow.
The rapper, who appeared on the VMA red carpet in all his feathery, raven-esque glamor courtesy of queer designer Harris Reed, was nominated in seven categories. Lil Nas X and Harlow’s video won for Best Collaboration, Best Art Direction, and Best Visual Effects.
Also winning big at the VMAs is Dove Cameron, who won for Best New Artist. Cameron, who performed at the GLAAD Media Awards ceremony in New York City accepted her Moon Person and dedicated her win to “all of the queer kids out there who don’t feel that they can take up space and inhabit the fullness of who they are”.
Måneskin’s distinct flamboyant glam rock energy won them Best Alternative for “I Wanna Be Your Slave”. Bassist Victoria De Angelis, who identifies as bi, went all out with her bandmates during the performance at the ceremony – and had a tiny wardrobe malfunction. However, it didn’t take away from the fact that they won a Moon Person.
Speaking of memorable MTV VMA performance moments for the books, Artist of the Year recipient Bad Bunny, kissed a man during his time on stage. The musician and Bullet Train star does not identify as queer, but it was definitely a moment that caught the audience’s attention.
Queer representation at the VMAs was further bolsterd by Billy Eichner, whose rom-com Bros is set to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. When he took the stage, he talked about how major studio queer movies like Bros help advocate for the LGBTQ community and representation overall. Eichner did not mince words while on stage and called out “all the homophobes on the Supreme Court” and how they are looking to “drag us back into the last century” with the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.