On Sept. 11, the VMAs were hosted at the UBS Area in Elmont, New York for a night filled with entertainment, talent and all things music. The 40th Video Music Awards aired without a hitch, with Y2K artists like LL Cool J and Eminem performing, as well as newer pop sensations like Chappell Roan, Shawn Mendes and Halsey following.
While the performances are one of the biggest highlights of the evening, a big part of the night is also seeing each celebrity show up in glamor with the biggest names of fashion.
Unfortunately this year, fall colors seemed to be in full swing a little too early. Almost all of the big celebrities, including Katy Perry, Chappell Roan and Benson Boone showed up to the awards in subtle shades of browns, nudes, whites or blacks.
Bridal outfits, peppered with more fall colors in the palette of yellow, red, white and black seemed to be the unspoken theme of the night, so let’s review some of the looks.
Sabrina Carpenter
Sequenced in archival Bob Mackie and De Beers, Carpenter emulated old Hollywood. Her award show outfit as well as her performance outfits were all of the same look and feel, following the silver decals and bejeweled aesthetic. Along with her outfits, her signature red lip was also a highlight of her look in addition to her Marilyn Monroe/Dolly Parton hair.
Her outfit was an ode to Madonna and all things “Women in Pop” as she wore the same dress that global sensation Madonna wore to the 1991 Academy Awards and with all the crystal and the jewels decorating the now “Song Of The Year” award winner, I would give her a 9/10.
Chappell Roan
The artist’s first appearance as a VMA’s performer has one of the biggest debuts in Pop music. “Roan of Arc” is what artist Roan and her designer at Y/Projects called her look of the night, and while the sheer material of the outfit isn’t one that we regularly see on the award carpets, the see-through dress from the brands fall 2024 collection brought medieval fashion mixed with her iconic drag queen inspired nails to create a fusion of fashion.
Adorned in her tin boots and sword as well as her 17th century green robe, she was one of the most spoken about artists of the night and I would give her an 8/10.
Katy perry, Addison Rae, Anitta
These three celebrities showed up to the awards in monochromatic looks that had us saying bridal and risque at the same time. Each showing up in tones of white, dressed in satins and sheer nets, personally I felt like none of the looks were appropriate for an award show. To me they seemed a lot more Vogue, couture magazine rather than VMA appropriate. I would give them a collective 4/10.
Although I really enjoyed seeing so many faces of music congregate as one, I do feel as though none of the looks of the evening were as bold and full of pop, as the music they represented. I wish we got to see some bigger, more extravagant looks that really showed the audience what the VMA’s are all about – expression.
*Editor’s note: Meghna Ganesh is a student writer. All views expressed in the commentary are her own and are independent of the district, Rouse High School and the publication.