The 2020 COVID VMAs were a HOT MESS (5-Year Retrospective)

[@blackdateline1996]

Can’t believe it’s been 5 years, literally still feels like yesterday

[@Greybell]

it feels very recent but also like a distant memory because so many things happened in 2024

[@bradpity]

it feels like yesterday but also two years ago

[@Obemus-Comments-Here]

I have an about to be 5 year old born right as the pani started and even with her as a very clear measure of how long ago it was, it’s still hard for me to believe it was 5 years ago. Feels like we just got back to “normal”.

[@blackdateline1996]

@@bradpity definitely feels like 2 years ago, but yet so much has happened since then wow. Time just flew by

[@COSun25]

We might get some award shows that might end up like what we had in 2020 if these other viruses + COVID aren't controlled.

[@repoversemedium]

tbh 2020 itself was a hot mess

[@Oskar-2896x]

Of the millenium

[@jupitermichaels]

To be fair…. 2024 wasn’t much better 😂🤣🤷‍♂️

[@MLaker221]

When I was living it, it seemed like everyone around me loved and accepted it as our duty. I don't like when the commercials on TV are telling me what to do... they wanted us all on the same page at the same time and that felt like tyranny

[@Oskar-2896x]

@@jupitermichaels who said it was? For me. 2024 was as much of a joke as 2020. And 2025 better be good cause I swear ...

[@jupitermichaels]

@ didn’t pay attention to the elections 🤷‍♂️

[@hazey8652]

I had no idea there was a VMA’s in 2020 until today.. in 2025 😂 I also picked the wrong time to take a sip of my coffee when you said “Coca-Cola red dress” 😂😂

[@johnsimpson8974]

"But the mess remained " lol, love it!

[@scarboroughdebutante]

When Hugo can suggest a better VMA than those who did, either he’s been watching these too much or it’s time for him to ascend and put together an award show 😂

[@andresgc770]

To this day I am CONVINCED that Ariana and Gaga weren't in the same room for their performance, and Ariana just got CGI-ed into it. For her to not give a speech for either of the awards she won that night, when she's "there"... Hmmm...

[@filipmarinkovic6281]

Knowing she doesn't like award shows and speeches and red carpets, it was probably her decision, but who knows🤷‍♂️

[@blackdateline1996]

@@filipmarinkovic6281lol but watch her be at ALL the movie awards shows for Wicked. 😂 you think she’d miss the Oscars?

[@Nonyah123]

good cgi is reallllly expensive so I doubt they had the budget

[@Scarlett_Aep]

Well there's behind the scenes pictures of lady gaga and Ariana at the vmas so it's not photoshopped

[@carlosnumbertwo]

I saw this randomly pop up on my feed and then it left. So I searched for “2020 hot mess” and I found it!

[@AshaDiscoSushi]

🤣 "Ariana was trying to have a Lesbianna moment with Gaga"☠️🖤

[@bebo367]

Btw I really love the continuity error during the performance of Rain On Me, as no one seemed to notice that the strings of Ariana's mask are crossed in some shots and straight in others.

[@scarecrowjuniper9054]

I love that demi is either helping spread awareness or yelling at a shop over sweets

[@darkwebgirl]

WHY WOULD THERE BE AN LED IN THE CROTCH PLEASE 😭

[@MissAlmostFine]

Like what was happening there😅😅😅

[@KalmoK]

That mask Will.i.am is wearing is actually the mask he himself made and tried to sell for like a 1000 bucks or something... 😂 it had some stupid features, can't remember correctly but it might've had music player or something like that. It flopped as you could perhaps guess...

[@PetiteLiterature]

"Almond mom survivor, Bella Hadid" 😂

[@larryhuffine2814]

Hugo is so gorgeous, I freaking LOVE him and his content

[@queenofdaydreams3825]

Get in line brother

[@natmarie8227]

"piano shaped like monsturo elisasue" is prob one of my fave jokes you've made omg that took me out

[@mebethan]

sorry but the "hey guys it nichole" caught me so off guard and took me out lmaooooo

[@5musictomyears5]

I was cast in the virtual audience for this. What a time!

[@Greybell]

did they pay you for it?

[@mads7710]

@@Greybellof course not lol that’s one of those things you apply for and get chosen for.

[@Greybell]

@@mads7710 oh that's unfortunate 😭 they got the budget for fireworks but not virtual audience? tbf idk how to be in the audience anyways.

[@shiannafoxx]

@@Greybell Why would she get paid?

[@mads7710]

@@Greybell audiences are never paid. whether it’s for award shows, talk shows, etc. it’s considered a privilege to be in the audience and something people sometimes pay for, not are paid for.

[@c.t.4837]

I can’t believe five years has gone by. The pandemic was such an eerie time … the awards were depressing

[@artista_desesperado]

honestly the Covid VMAs were the best in years! it was one of the only ones I rewatched for days after the show. maybe I just had too much time to rewatch the show, anyway... loved Miley, Gaga with Ariana, BTS, Doja, The Weeknd, etc. Gaga served with the fashion! fuck dababy.

[@breathinn4232]

wow rain on me was sweeping awards left n right

[@Sapphire901]

As it should! 🫶🏻 top 10 of Gaga’s discography

[@heebgbeez]

im sorry this is hilarious esp the fireworks being blown at 11 on a thursday night IM DEAD

[@Oskar-2896x]

Dat VMA was just ... so depressing god

[@AvaWdoesvids]

Truly an underrated KZbinr. HOT. MESS.

[@Marlb0r0lites]

HATE that Taylor swift won best direction when the weeknd was in his most iconic movie esque universe for OVER A YEAR

[@Sapphire901]

Exactly, she is so overrated 😅 but I’m European what do I know 🤷🏼

[@filipmarinkovic6281]

​@Sapphire901 considering that you think she is overrated, to answer your question: Nothing. coming from a fellow European (Balkan, to be exact)✌️

[@astridmyst]

This is the only way I watch any of these VMAs or MTV awards. It's the best

[@arts_horizon]

I swear Miley’s performances are always amazing!! She deserves more awards 😢 14:25

[@sparksflylove]

“Almond Mom Survivor: Bella Hadid” has me in tears 💀

[@Isabelle-qq2yu]

THE WEED TRANSITION 💀

[@jaylaalle5827]

the 2020 vmas were so hard to watch… it was such a mess 😭

[@trace2544]

Happy New Year Hugo! ❤

[@jaylenpaige10]

👏welcome BACK 👏 to the VMA roundup

[@timothey94]

Lol Hugo your edits, soundbites and videos keep getting smoother and more entertaining 🙌🏻

[@Cervidae]

the emos and scenes DO NOT CLAIM mgk

[@SleepyT23]

who tf names their daughter TATE.

[@Sjood-qs8ol]

LMAO

[@jalapeno1119]

Tater tot

[@Ruhrohraggy23345]

Good question

[@haliee]

people who don't wanna name their kid tatum for whatever reason

[@j-holewyoming]

I would love to see you do more videos on pop culture, music, film, media criticism etc. I’ve seen you talk about enough awards shows but I love you and would watch other topics ❤

[@austins.2495]

Fantastic video as always, Hugo 😊

[@Munchkinlord27]

😂 spit out my drink with the mgk Avril Lavigne jokes bahaha then the Hanna harts nachos 🔥🔥🧨

[@JM-rn6hs]

Gagas performance was actually live! There was a mic built in to the mask!

[@nickgluvzu]

hahaha you had me cracking up 2 minutes in already 😹😹

[@jeffersonmassarico7383]

oh the 2021 vmas video is coming and THAT was a mess we havent seen in a long long long...longlong long time

[@politefan8141]

I recognized almost every single artist that was nominated from the 80s up until 2016 but this year I didn’t recognize 90% of the nominees or even some of the hits from the more well-known artists.

[@ashleavaughn8423]

Winner is Hugo, our Kiwi ICON!!!

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Great content as always.

[@bicuriousdirtbikeboi2594]

6:04 I was not prepared for that Smosh jumpscare 😂

[@sketchup.ketchup]

I LOOVE YOURE CONTENT 😭🙏

[@angiesleeps3890]

Ooooh im gonna clean my kitchen to this

[@shanonb8921]

HUGO YOU ARE HILARIOUS 😂😂😂

[@thejoeyjason]

another HOT MISS we're here for it 😊

[@josue-xj9hy]

Hugo Happy New Year

[@christopherscottcarpenter]

2017-2021 was a mess and we all know who to thank. Get ready for round two folks.

[@MissAlmostFine]

I can't believe we gotta go through this again🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

[@SHOPAKAHTW]

4:02 I Think The Fake Applause Works.

[@gimmemoarjosh]

I'm still unsure about those fireworks. See, every year in my city (and the one across from us; Canadian/USA border) for 50+ years, we have annual fireworks. Just because you can see the source (aka a barge) doesn't mean they were real. They look extremely fake. THERE IS NO SMOKE! A ton of smoke comes from fireworks of this size. They also do not match the ones people saw. At least from your clip.

[@nietangelica]

Almond mom survivor 😭😭😭😂

[@TramiNguyen-oi3kp]

I love these 2020 MTV VMAs moments!

[@gerardotrujillo2508]

I CAN’T STOP LAUGHING 😂 love u

[@luissopelana]

8:51 Whoa. That's the same Los Angeles rooftop that was used as the location for half·alive's "Sophie's House" video! Cool.

[@benamisai-kham5892]

I don't think ive been this early before 😂 Shoot, i was scrolling at the right time!

[@stefaniskaya1283]

So early for this hot mess🎉

[@VanessaLoveCounselor]

Me, too.

[@chocolatecoveredants]

I know I'm old and out of touch because I don't recognize a single song mentioned. 😅 Wait! I know one. Blinding Lights.

[@sydneyk3165]

yasss hi from America!!

[@pagent7048]

17:28 MI GENTE, LATINO!

[@Dondadakris]

lol your videos brighten my day! I get a good giggle every time!

[@jacknicholl]

I really enjoy watch your Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards videos (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012 & 2024) So can you cover the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards from 2014 & 2018?

[@Danny3dz]

Mgk did not provide anything for us 😂

[@IsomerMashups]

2:48 4:36 I can tell this video was pre-recorded because you said "a quick reminder" and then told us something for the first time. Twice.

[@erikluzparada9964]

I remember this day, and lowkey... It was a nice night in my life.

[@starshapedpeaches]

HEY GUYS ITS NICOLE. THAT REFERENCE. Hugo, I am genuinely in love with you wtf I’m cackling

[@ladylavender93]

Love the panDemi Lovato bit 😂😂

[@Zachary-r5k]

You gotta do the 2021 or 2022 vmas

[@litneyloxan]

im sorry its been 5 yeaaaaars?! 😭

[@OsagieGuobadia]

The 2020 VMA's suck. Keke Palmer hosted it and now Blink-182 winning a MTV VMA award? This KINDA SUCK! : ( I wish, there is more rock and roll performances and what the hell is a TRICON AWARD? I don't get that. > : (

[@josuecolina441]

Hi Can You Do a Video About American Music Awards 2005

[@EmberAwoken]

Idk why but hearing “applauses” messes with my brain 😂

[@beccab6629]

This is a high quality, hilarious recap! I enjoyed way more than i expected, excited to go through your list of videos now ❤

[@ArtUndertheArch]

Wait what’s a classy gay

[@farhanfmx]

Don't call MGK Avril's gender swap!!!! 😂😂

[@mrfunnygamerguy]

how many years???? that’s insane

[@jessmarie2692]

Thank you king Hugo!!

[@queenb7013]

Can you please cover the 2005 Teen Choice Awards, 2003 MTV Movie Awards and 2002 MTV Movie Awards

[@venus-g8l]

THE SILENT JOKES BAHAHAH

[@emoknees]

8:31 only RM is fluent in English!

[@M-inee]

2020, year of the dumpster🔥

[@PlasticSkies-e9k]

Ahh Miley iconic

[@AngelLopez-yp7ez]

I remember watching this I didn't think it was that bad then again I think I really only watched all of gaga's/ ari's parts

[@IDidNaaaht]

I'm intrigued by what "almond mom survivor" is referencing 😂

[@aalmondmilk]

growing up with a mom who forced her eating disordered thoughts on you and not having disordered eating when you’re older. not very funny, sorry :/

[@jenniferdickerson8775]

As someone who watches The Challenge every week,I can confirm MTV editors don’t have a clue as to what they’re doing, apparently nobody there cares

[@bullmonty764]

This comment is a placeholder because I just woke up and because of that I am unsure if I can comment about the COVID VMAs, the Dynamite performance in particular, without looking like a (bigger than usual lol 😂) fool due to the typical “just woke up” vibes that I’m sure we all have sometimes. I mean, I’ve been hesitant to comment about Kpop here before, what with being a firm outsider (albeit one who does know his fair share about the industry regardless) making it inherently tricky ground to discourse about, even though it’s always worked out well for me which I do greatly respect you guys for, but in this case I just don’t have the energy after getting up literally 15 minutes ago. You are all free to comment about this show on your own 👍

[@the5stacys]

I'm with you

[@Acire86]

8:29 I am a true ARMY and I can confidently say that RM is the only member that is fluent in English 💜

[@muselarosa]

I didn’t even know we had a award show that year 😂😂😂😂

[@wisel3384]

where can you watch it? It’s not on KZbin so is it on another subscription only platform

[@cjray04]

No, because it was the way that Post Malone looked high as hell sitting on that stool watching Cardi B dance on the high heel pole during the WAP performance😭😭😭😭 Literally being 16 in 2020 was like a moment for me 😭

[@jtbowman132]

I must know your favorite Charli song and album at this point 😭 she’s my #1 literally

[@JinxMarie1985]

I vaguely remember watching this but one performance i remember well and love is 'The Ungodly Hour'. The rest is just noise to me lol

[@g0re_qu33n]

so high rn that i sat down with some food and was like "hey i havent seen this one" then i look and see the upload date :(

[@itsajahoo]

….?

[@brianumanzor4893]

when we got to the bebe rexha moment about the paper plane... i kid u not i started laughing till i sobbed. i literally couldn't stop laughing for an hour. idek if it's because bebe rexha is the landlord of the khia asylum or.... but i cannot stop laughing. I literally am physically scared to laugh that hard again. i swear on my life. like why would mtv do her like that.??? plz make a video on bebe rexha's unfortunate moments like i feel so bad butit's sooooof uyhgunfgjnfgfjn funny

[@itsajahoo]

Have you recovered? You good? 😂

[@politefan8141]

Any plans to do the Billboard Music, People's Choice, or MTV Movie Awards?

[@kay19977]

Can somebody tell me when taboo from the black eyed peas said la la la on an awards show? I’ve been looking through Hugo’s videos trying to find itttttt

[@andresgc770]

I think you may have watched an incomplete version of the pre-show, because I'm pretty sure the very first performance (and maybe even segment) was Jack Harlow performing "Whats Poppin". That would explain why the host says "welcome back". Also, unpopular opinion (maybe), but I actually enjoyed these VMAs. The pre-show performances looked good for once, and I wouldn't mind it if they did more pre-recorded stuff like that for the pre-show (the live audience rarely adds much to red carpet performances, anyway). And the main show was meh, but at least they gave out more awards than usual!

[@prettyhatemachinexoxo]

2:48 • Dang i thought she was just a new artist 😭 didn't know she was a thing back then!

[@lorybianchi2859]

I need hugo to be the next vmas presenter fr