Standout Moments from the MTV VMAs 2021 Pre-ShowCheck out pre-show interviews and live performances from the MTV Video Music Awards 2021 red carpet, featuring Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat and more.

Machine Gun Kelly Remembers His Early Career Hustle

09/12/2021

Machine Gun Kelly talks to Nessa about his come-up selling mixtapes in Cleveland, his musical theater-inspired performance and his relationship with Megan Fox.

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Highlight
01:26

Simone Biles Can't Wait to Share a Stage with Doja Cat

Nessa speaks to superstar Olympian gymnast Simone Biles about her first-time nerves as a presenter during the MTV VMAs 2021 and her must-have beauty item.
09/12/2021
Highlight
02:02

Machine Gun Kelly Remembers His Early Career Hustle

Machine Gun Kelly talks to Nessa about his come-up selling mixtapes in Cleveland, his musical theater-inspired performance and his relationship with Megan Fox.
09/12/2021
Highlight
01:33

Ed Sheeran Hopes There's Some MTV VMAs 2021 Controversy

Ed Sheeran discusses the difference between the MTV VMAs and U.K. award shows, reveals what he'll be performing, and reveals his desire for tabloid-worthy surprises.
09/12/2021
Highlight
01:20

Troye Sivan Is Happy to Return to the Stage

On the red carpet, Troye Sivan chats with Nessa about his MTV VMAs debut and opens up about returning to the stage for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
09/12/2021
Highlight
01:49

The Kid LAROI Gives the Inside Scoop on His Performance

The Kid LAROI chats about how it feels to be nominated for three MTV VMAs, rehearsing for his performance with Justin Bieber, whom he's most excited to see at the show and more.
09/12/2021
Performance
03:59

Swedish House Mafia - "It Gets Better" and "Lifetime"

Swedish House Mafia performs "It Gets Better" and "Lifetime” on a smoky high-rise stage during the MTV VMAs 2021 pre-show.
09/12/2021
Highlight
02:12

Boy Band Superstars Share Their Wildest VMAs Story

Lance Bass, AJ McLean and Nick Lachey chat with Jamila Mustafa at the MTV VMAs 2021 pre-show about their unique Rage Against the Machine memory, then discuss their upcoming benefit shows.
09/12/2021
02:40

Chlöe of Chloe x Halle Gives Insight Into Her Performance

Chlöe of Chloe x Halle chats about bringing her debut solo single "Have Mercy" to life onstage, her fans’ response to the sexy track and how it feels to perform without her sister Halle.
09/12/2021
Highlight
02:12

Anitta Reps Her Brazilian Culture on the Red Carpet Pre-Show

Brazilian singer Anitta talks about the support of her fans back home, gives a teaser about her performance, and reveals whether her private and public personas will both appear onstage.
09/12/2021
Performance
03:55

Kim Petras - "Future Starts Now"

Kim Petras sings her crowd-pleaser "Future Starts Now" live on a very pink stage during the MTV VMAs 2021 pre-show.
09/12/2021
Highlight
01:21

Tinashe Talks to Jack Harlow About His Newfound Fame

Tinashe asks Jack Harlow about his upcoming performance with Lil Nas X and how he thinks his middle school self would react to his presence at the MTV VMAs 2021.
09/12/2021
Highlight
02:08

Doja Cat Is a Woman of Many Hats at the VMAs 2021

Nessa interviews Doja Cat on the pre-show red carpet about how she's managing her roles as host, nominee and performer at the MTV VMAs 2021.
09/12/2021
Highlight
02:14

Olivia Rodrigo Picks Up PUSH Performance of the Year Award

During an MTV VMAs 2021 pre-show interview with Jamila Mustafa, Olivia Rodrigo accepts the award for PUSH Performance of the Year for her hit song "drivers license."
09/12/2021
Highlight
02:04

Lil Nas X Shows Off His VMAs Fit

Jamila Mustafa chats with Lil Nas X about what he plans to say if he takes home an award, if he plans to outdo his iconic MTV VMAs 2019 performance and his highly anticipated debut album.
09/12/2021
Performance
02:48

Polo G - "RAPSTAR"

Polo G struts down the MTV VMAs 2021 red carpet and performs his hit song "RAPSTAR" to a revved-up crowd during the pre-show.
09/12/2021
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