NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Lifestyle

MTV VMAs 2021: Best and worst dressed celebrities on the red carpet

news.com.au
13 Sep, 2021 01:11 AM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Megan Fox had one of the most daring red carpet looks at the VMAs. Photo / Getty Images

Megan Fox had one of the most daring red carpet looks at the VMAs. Photo / Getty Images

The MTV VMAs is famous for its extreme fashion displays – and this year's red carpet did not disappoint.

The 2021 show is hosted by Doja Cat and will feature performers including Foo Fighters, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Twenty One Pilots, Lil Nas X, The Kid Laroi and this year's most-nominated star, Justin Bieber.

But before the ceremony kicked off, all eyes were on the red carpet, where one of the most awkward pre-show moments aired on live TV.

Lil Nas X made a truly spectacular entry, looking like royalty in a bejewelled purple number featuring a train - but not everyone was a fan.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Lil Nas X made a truly spectacular entry, looking like royalty in a bejewelled purple number featuring a train. Photo / Getty
Lil Nas X made a truly spectacular entry, looking like royalty in a bejewelled purple number featuring a train. Photo / Getty

During his one-on-one chat with red carpet host Jamila Mustafa, Lil Nas X told her he was "happy" with his outfit.

Her response: "I'm not gonna say I'm hating on the 'fit, but let's move on, OK?"

LIKE WHAT https://t.co/TYK0sLdKXt pic.twitter.com/P3mBMJBV1R

— . (@blairsmani) September 12, 2021

Brutal.

Also in purple: country singer Kacey Musgraves – who will also take the stage – and whom every other guests is hoping they aren't seated behind.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Country singer Kacey Musgraves - who will take the stage - and whom every other guests is hoping they aren't seated behind. Photo / Getty
Country singer Kacey Musgraves - who will take the stage - and whom every other guests is hoping they aren't seated behind. Photo / Getty

More than 20 years on from Rose McGowan's jaw-dropping VMAs look, it's happened again: we've got a star in a "naked" dress.

The celebrity who dared to bare? Megan Fox

More than 20 years on from Rose McGowan's jaw-dropping VMAs look, it's happened again: we've got Megan Fox, the celebrity who dared to bare in a "naked" dress. Photo / Getty
More than 20 years on from Rose McGowan's jaw-dropping VMAs look, it's happened again: we've got Megan Fox, the celebrity who dared to bare in a "naked" dress. Photo / Getty

For those wondering: yes, from behind, Megan's outfit looked exactly like you were expecting.

Shout-out to her boyfriend, Machine Gun Kelly, who did his best to provide an eye-catching outfit of his own - but it's hard to compete:

Shout-out to her boyfriend, Machine Gun Kelly, who did his best to provide an eye-catching outfit of his own - but it's hard to compete. Photo / Getty
Shout-out to her boyfriend, Machine Gun Kelly, who did his best to provide an eye-catching outfit of his own - but it's hard to compete. Photo / Getty

Ed Sheeran took a gamble with that jacket and we're not sure if it paid off.

Ed Sheeran really took a gamble with that jacket and we're not sure if it paid off. Photo / Getty
Ed Sheeran really took a gamble with that jacket and we're not sure if it paid off. Photo / Getty

2021 VMAs host Doja Cat channelled Miley Cyrus' one-time signature pose while rocking absolutely enormous platform heels.

Speaking of celeb throwbacks, American singer Tinashe gave off extreme Xtina Dirrty vibes with her two-piece leather lace-up ensemble – and accessorised with a friendly greeting:

American singer Tinashe gave off extreme Xtina Dirrty vibes with her two-piece leather lace-up ensemble. Photo / Getty
American singer Tinashe gave off extreme Xtina Dirrty vibes with her two-piece leather lace-up ensemble. Photo / Getty

When you've got a red carpet at 3pm, but you're hosting a dominatrix party at 4.

German singer-songwriter Kim Petras. Photo / Getty Images
German singer-songwriter Kim Petras. Photo / Getty Images

Billie Eilish, who's nominated for five awards, kept it simple and comfy - two words we don't often associate with the VMAs.

Billie Eilish. Photo / Getty Images
Billie Eilish. Photo / Getty Images

Paris Hilton is here, for some reason.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Paris Hilton. Photo / Getty Images
Paris Hilton. Photo / Getty Images

Aussie singer Kid Laroi - who will take the stage this year with Justin Bieber - misunderstood the health department's mask mandate.

Aussie singer Kid Laroi. Photo / Getty Images
Aussie singer Kid Laroi. Photo / Getty Images

Singer and Cinderella star Camilla Cabello looked elegant in a pink and red gown.

Camila Cabello. Photo / Getty Images
Camila Cabello. Photo / Getty Images

Her boyfriend, Treat You Better singer Shawn Mendes will be sticking to white wine this evening.

Shawn Mendes. Photo / Getty Images
Shawn Mendes. Photo / Getty Images

In an incredible act of generosity, he gifted the off-cuts of his suit to fellow singer, Normani.

Normani. Photo / Getty Images
Normani. Photo / Getty Images

At the complete opposite end of the scale, US-Filipino singer Bella Poarch subscribed to the "more is more" philosophy.

Bella Poarch. Photo / Getty Images
Bella Poarch. Photo / Getty Images
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Lifestyle

Premium
World

'Can't assume it's harmless': Experts warn on marijuana's heart risks

20 Jun 03:20 AM
Lifestyle

Study: Sleeping over 9 hours raises death risk by 34%

20 Jun 12:57 AM
Premium
Lifestyle

5 keys to a healthy diet, according to nutrition experts

20 Jun 12:00 AM

Help for those helping hardest-hit

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Lifestyle

Premium
'Can't assume it's harmless': Experts warn on marijuana's heart risks

'Can't assume it's harmless': Experts warn on marijuana's heart risks

20 Jun 03:20 AM

The average age of patients in the study was just 38, highlighting risks for younger adults.

Study: Sleeping over 9 hours raises death risk by 34%

Study: Sleeping over 9 hours raises death risk by 34%

20 Jun 12:57 AM
Premium
5 keys to a healthy diet, according to nutrition experts

5 keys to a healthy diet, according to nutrition experts

20 Jun 12:00 AM
Beer, tonics, sauces: Why is does Japanese citrus yuzu seem to be everywhere right now?

Beer, tonics, sauces: Why is does Japanese citrus yuzu seem to be everywhere right now?

19 Jun 11:59 PM
Inside Leigh Hart’s bonkers quest to hand-deliver a SnackaChangi chip to every Kiwi
sponsored

Inside Leigh Hart’s bonkers quest to hand-deliver a SnackaChangi chip to every Kiwi

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP