The MTV VMAs are always an eventful ceremony and the 2021 edition certainly hasn't failed in the early stages.

In what is one of the first big award shows to be packed with fans following the global pandemic, viewers were in for a treat from the off as stars flocked in abundance to the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn on Sunday night.

While last year's event took place without a live audience and with a host of pre-recorded performances, this year was set to offer up a treat.

There ceremony celebrated the 40th anniversary of the launch of MTV with Madonna opening the show.

"They said we wouldn't last. But we're still here," Madonna said proudly. It was then the turn of Jennifer Lopez and Cyndi Lauper to send fans wild with shock appearances.

Cyndi took the opportunity to weigh in on abortion rights during her stint, saying that women want "control over our bodies."

Olivia Rodrigo, 18, went into Sunday's show with five nominations, including artist of the year and best new artist after her debut single "drivers license" stormed the pop charts worldwide in January.

She mopped up the awards in the beginning after performing her smash hit Good 4 u. She was awarded the song of the year gong for drivers license in the fan-voted awards.

She said it was "so insane" in her acceptance speech. "This has been the most magical year of my life," she continued as she dedicated the win to "all the other girls who write songs on their bedroom floor."

The crowd was wowed as Justin Bieber returned to the VMA stage for the first time in six years to offer up a performance of his single Ghost - his wife Hailey presented.

And Bieber, who was up for seven possible awards, took home the Moon Person statuette for best pop for his single Peaches.

Elsewhere, K-Pop sensations BTS were named group of the year and sent in their thanks via a video from South Korea.

There was also a performance by Grammy-winning country singer Kacey Musgraves, who made her VMA performing debut with her new single Star-Crossed.

Rock band Foo Fighters were also recognised, lifting the Global Icon Award after a fantastic 25 years in the industry.

The 12 Grammy-winning band were also set to perform a set on the big stage.

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