34 Most Memorable (& Controversial) Red Carpet Looks from VMAs History — See Photos

I still think about the meat dress.

September 10, 2024

Collage showing Lady Gaga TLC and Lil' Kim at the VMAs.

If there's one award show that celebrities go all out for when it comes to fashion, it's the MTV Video Music Awards — most commonly referred to as the VMAs.

Hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, this week, the network is celebrating the first-ever go-round of the momentous event with celebs like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and BLACKPINK's Lisa, among others, slated to perform and even more nominated — hello, Taylor Swift! So, what better time to reminisce about the incredible (and not-so-incredible) fashion of the event through the years? From "Like A Virgin"-inspired LWDs to high-fashion gowns, nothing has been off-limits for our fave celebrities.

Here, we've rounded up the most memorable — and controversial — red carpet moments from VMAs history, from Lady Gaga's meat dress and Miley Cyrus's romantic goth gown to Britney Spears' lace mini. And who could forget when Jaden and Willow Smith graced the VMAs red carpet in ripped jeans and overalls? Ahead, scroll through the most talked-about looks since the show's inception in 1984!

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Madonna, 1984
Madonna has been winning MTV Video Music Awards since before of most of us were born. Over three decades ago, she made name belts and lingerie-inspired styles on the red carpet popular. This is an icon.
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TLC, 1995
Baggy pants, bare midriffs, lace-up silhouettes — looks pretty modern doesn't it? TLC was one of the most powerful and stylish groups in the world and their influence is still felt strongly today.

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Janet Jackson, 1997
All black is always chic. Queen Janet Jackson showed us why.
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Cindy Crawford, 1997
Kaia Gerber clearly gets it from her mama. The green python and thigh-high slit were a clear demonstration of Cindy Crawford's trendsetting, supermodel status.

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David Bowie + Iman, 1999
Long before Miranda Priestly schooled us on cerulean blue, David Bowie was wearing it on the red carpet. He clearly downplayed his fashion sense to let wife, supermodel, and now style mogul Iman radiate. Her floral number and red afro were beyond.
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Mariah Carey, 1997
Those bandeaus and thigh-high slits that Bella and Kendall execute so flawlessly? Mariah was doing them first.

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Lil' Kim, 1999
The look that sparked a thousand Halloween outfits, including one from Miley Cyrus. The Queen Bee went full-on mermaid on the red carpet, and dropped more than a few jaws.
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Prince, 1999
Prince didn't make too many appearances at the VMAs throughout the years, but when he did, he shut the entire house down. How many people could pull off hoops, braids, and a bold blue jumpsuit?

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Aaliyah, 2000
Aaliyah had the kind of effortless swag and beauty that artists are still trying to capture today. Her black and yellow Roberto Cavalli gown was so fashion-forward, that it literally looks like a design we'd see on the red carpet this season.
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Britney Spears, 2001
Sheer dresses have been around forever! Britney Spears donned one years ago, putting her toned legs and abs on display.

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Lady Gaga, 2010
This was not for the faint of heart, nor any member of PETA. Gaga was clad in a dress made of meat, designed by artist Franc Fernandez.
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Selena Gomez, 2011
Selena Gomez opted for dark romance in a gown from British designer Julien Macdonald.

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Rihanna, 2012
Rihanna was a vision in a pixie cut, red lips, and a white gown from friend and collaborator Adam Selman.
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Miley Cyrus, 2012
Miley Cyrus slipped on one of her most elegant looks ever in Emilio Pucci, accented with a platinum blonde mohawk.

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Katy Perry, 2012
Katy Perry can wear veritably anything: be it beauty or fashion. She was subdued here, in a sheer and romantic printed Elie Saab gown.
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Ciara, 2013
Ciara has had a longstanding love affair with Givenchy. This was one of her most luxurious looks from the fashion house.

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Taylor Swift, 2013
Taylor Swift sizzled with pinup girl hair and a Hervé Léger bandage gown.
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Willow and Jaden Smith, 2013
Though the stylish siblings are known for their bold looks, they were pared-down and casual in overalls, t-shirts, and sneakers.

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Kendall Jenner, 2014
Kendall Jenner kept it simple and chic in an Alon Livne look.
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Kylie Jenner, 2014
The Kardashian-Jenner family made a big splash at the awards show in 2014. Kylie attended with her sisters in red carpet mainstay, Alexandre Vauthier.

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Demi Lovato, 2014
Demi Lovato smoldered in a Lanvin number with a plunging neckline.
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Beyoncé, 2014
Mrs. Knowles-Carter picked up the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in a sultry Zuhair Murad gown.

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Kim Kardashian, 2014
The Kardashian-Jenner women love Balmain. Kim turned more than a few heads in a vibrant cape number from the iconic French fashion house.
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Nicki Minaj, 2015
Nicki Minaj was gilded in a sheer embroidered Labourjoisie gown. Her looks from the VMAs run the entire style gamut and this was a definite favorite.

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RuPaul's Drag Race, 2016
The cast of "RuPaul's Drag Race" arrived to the VMAs in historic fashion, and donned outfits inspired by some of the most iconic VMA red carpet moments.
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Amber Rose, 2018
Amber Rose had some devilish fun at the 2018 VMAs.

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Cardi B, 2018
The best VMAs accessory? Cardi B's fake moon man baby.
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Bethany Meyers and Nico Tortorella, 2018
Bethany Meyers and Nico Tortorella took Hot Topic-inspired garments and made them red carpet fashion.

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Tana Mongeau, 2019
If we are talking pure controversial, Tana Mongeau and her Britney-inspired 'fit certainly make the list.
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Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid, 2019
For better or for worse, this beige satin and veeery low-rise combo from the Hadid sisters also got people talking.

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Todrick Hall, 2019
Ehm… sometimes it's better to let images speak for themselves but this 'fit from Todrick Hall certainly did not make this list for its fashion merits.
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Bretman Rock, 2021
Over 20 years later, Bretman Rock pulled the very same Roberto Cavalli dress Aaliyah wore to the 2000 VMAs out of the archive and wore it to the 2021 VMAs. Read all about it here.

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Chloe Bailey, 2021
Yes, that is indeed a spoon on Chloe Bailey's dress. The singer donned a Marni dress with a utensil accent for her 2021 VMAs appearance.
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Saweetie, 2023
Maybe Saweetie had a bone (or two) to pick with someone at the VMAs that year?

Sara Delgado is a freelance writer, editor, and translator specializing in culture and fashion content with experience across digital, print, and social media based in Madrid, Spain. She was previously the online editor of Schön! Magazine and is now a contributing editor-at-large at Teen Vogue. She has written for Dazed, ... Read More

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