Lady Gaga scoops up five awards at socially-distanced pre-recorded VMAs

Lady Gaga was the most awarded artist of the night yesterday at the MTV VMAs 2020, which was socially-distanced and pre-recorded in New York as a result of the pandemic.

The star went home with five prizes in total from the ceremony, including Artist Of The Year and the first-ever Tricon Award.

Three of her trophies were given for ‘Rain On Me’, her collaboration with Ariana Grande that featured on her much-celebrated newest album Chromatica.

After picking up the award for Song Of The Year for the track, Gaga reflected on writing the song.

“I remember when I wrote the lyrics for the chorus and I sang them for my producer Bloodpop,” she said. “The lyrics were, ‘I’d rather be dry but at least I’m alive/Rain on me’.

“I remember thinking I had cried so many tears that it felt like unfathomable downpour from my eyes, but even with that much rain you don’t have to drown, though it feels like you are. You can still swim. If there’s a strong current with a bunch of waves and they keep crashing over you, if you keep swimming you’ll reach the centre of the ocean where it’s calm, still and peaceful.”

She claimed that winning Song Of The Year was her favourite award because “at the end of the day my heart is as a songwriter”.

While picking up the Tricon Award later on in the night, which honoured the star for both her art and philanthropic efforts, Gaga dedicated the prize to “everybody at home”:

“I wish for you to think right now of three things that define who you are and take a moment to reward yourself for your bravery,” she said.

“This has not been an easy year for a lot of people, but what I see in the world is a massive triumph of courage. I also hope people at home that have big dreams, they see me here today accepting this award and know how grateful I am – I want you to know you can do this too.”

The musician finished her fifth speech by encouraging viewers to “stay safe” and “speak your mind”, tagging on a final call to “wear a mask – it’s a sign of respect”.

Other big winners at the MTV VMAs 2020 included The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, and BTS, who took home four trophies for Best Group, Best Pop, Best K-pop and Best Choreography for ‘On’.

The South Korean band also gave the debut live performance of their new single ‘Dynamite’, which dropped last week and broke the record for the most YouTube views in its first 24 hours.

The ceremony, which was hosted by Keke Palmer, opened with a special tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who passed away on Friday.

The presenter honoured him as a “true hero” whose “impact lives forever”.

The Weeknd picked up the coveted Video of the Year award for viral hit 'Blinding Lights', and used his time on stage to repeat an earlier demand for "justice" for two members of the Black community who were shot by police - Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake.

Watch Lady Gaga's full VMAs 2020 performance below:

https://youtu.be/5D4vjndnB0w