NEW YORK — The MTV Video Music Awards show will land back in Brooklyn this September and hand out its “Moon Person” trophies during an in-person event under the Barclays Center roof.
Organizers had to cancel last year’s indoor festivities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with winners including Taylor Swift and Megan Thee Stallion appearing over video during a semi-virtual telecast.
The upcoming VMAs are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 12, the day after the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
MTV said it’s collaborating with the nonprofit group 9/11 Day to launch a series of service-oriented and remembrance activities during the week leading up to the VMAs.
The effort to encourage charitable acts in coordination with the somber anniversary is meant to “honor the lives lost, their families, those injured, and those who rose in service in response to the attacks,” MTV said.
MTV and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said a year ago this month that the 2020 VMA were still due to take place on the Barclays stage with “limited capacity or no audience,” but the network and venue ultimately scrubbed the idea, saying outdoor performances showcasing the boroughs would be safer.
MTV did not confirm any plans for this year’s VMAs host or live musical acts when it announced the upcoming move back to Barclays.
Last year’s show was hosted by Keke Palmer and included performances by Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, BTS, DaBaby and The Weeknd.
In 2019, the ceremony was held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
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