Another MTV Video Music Awards is on the books, leaving us with about a million burning, unanswered, WTF questions. Here are the six biggest:
1. Why was Justin Bieber crying?
Bieber performed a two-song medley that ended with a pre-recorded spoken-word portion in which he compared life to a "journey, sometimes a battle." Afterwards, the pop star—who debuted a new coif at the show—descended from the ceiling. And then he cried. Is it because of the bad press he's gotten for the past few years? Is it his on-again off-again relationship with Selena Gomez, who attended the award show but reportedly headed backstage with pal Taylor Swift during his performance? Is it that his hair looked like Kate Gosselin's?
Update: Because he was happy?
A "source" who's allegedly "close to Bieber" told Gossip Cop that it's because he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of fan support. "He worked so hard not just on the performance but on himself," the source says. "He didn't know how people would accept him. When he saw them on their feet cheering, he was overwhelmed." So, no dramz...just feels.
2. Will MTV be fined for that Miley nip slip and, uh, her handing out pot?
In a word: Nope. After a revealing backstage intro that left Miley a little exposed, and after a sketch with Snoop Dogg where she ate edibles (not on the actual show), then passed around a joint in the press room (yes, the actual show), many thought MTV would get in *big* trouble. But they're in the clear, because of some laws about decency and channels and monitoring and, well, just know she can continue being Miley.
3. Was the Nicki Minaj-Miley Cyrus spat staged?
While accepting the award for Best Hip Hop Video for "Anaconda," Minaj concluded her remarks by saying, "And now, back to this bitch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press. Miley, what's good?" Miley responded immediately, suggesting the media had twisted her words. It wasthe night's most shocking moment—though was itreallythat shocking?—and at least a few commentators,including Jezebel, suggested the moment was staged. But Brian Hernandez, senior music reporter at Mashable, tweeted during the show that an MTV publicist insisted it was, in fact, real.
That Nicki Minaj vs. Miley Cyrus onstage verbal spat WAS NOT STAGED, an MTV rep just assured me, for what it's worth. #VMAsAugust 31, 2015
Update: It *was* real.
And now we have the official word from MTV itself: They've confirmed that the feud was real and unplanned. And—whatever this means—they say their reporters backstage and outside the dressing rooms can attest. Guess that means there was beef behind the scenes, too?
4. Is Miley Cyrus *actually* a Donald Trump supporter?
In the moments after Kanye's speech, Miley said, "Trump, you had my vote, but Kanye West for president!" The singer revealed in a recent New York Times interview that Trump actually reached out to her after her 2013 VMAs twerking performance. She was staying at the Trump Hotel at the time, and the now-presidential candidate called her and said, according to Miley, "I know everyone's talking about it, but I loved it." Is that enough to fetch Miley's support? Highly unlikely—but wow, her endorsement would be electric (and really weird).
5. Is Kanye West really running for president in 2020?
During a bizarre and meandering acceptance speech, Kanye—who received a Video Vanguard Award—announced that he was running for president in 2020. He meets the requirements: He's now 38 (you have to be 35 to run for president), a resident in the U.S. for 14 years, and a natural born citizen (he was born in Atlanta). If the world-domination-hungry family he's married into has any say, he'll probably do it.
8. Was he also supposed to even do a speech?
Well, not really. As MTV Executive Producer Van Toffler pointed out to The Hollywood Reporter, they weren't exactly sure *what* he would do.
"We originally thought Kanye was going to do a medley. Then we thought he was going to not do music and talk. Then, about two acts into the show, we thought he would do a couple-song medley. This is after the show started. Then, about an act before, we found out that he might not do music and just speak—but we had to be prepared for both, so we had a track cued up. We were in the truck and we heard this 10 minutes before he was to accept the award."
7. Why did the male performers look like they just came from the gym?
The women performing at the VMAs—Taylor, Nicki, Demi Lovato—pulled out all the stops. The guys? Could barely be bothered to change out of their workout gear.
