Last night, the stars came out to sing, schmooze, and see and be seen.

The VMAs are always entertaining, from the outfits to the on-stage performances. With J. Lo receiving the night’s highest honor, taking home the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Madonna giving an “it’s all about me” speech to “honor” the recently departed Aretha Franklin, and plenty of performances to wow the crowd, the show, while not the most outrageous we’ve seen, was VMAs-ish enough to hold its own.

With presenters including The Backstreet Boys, Kevin Hart, Millie Bobby Brown, and Tiffany Haddish, performances by Nicki Minaj, Shawn Mendez, a well-deserved lengthy one by Jennifer Lopez, and others, and lots of fun and flair throughout the night, the show went along smoothly, yet not spectacularly, as some reviews have mused. Still, who could resist seeing some of the year’s biggest and best stars come together to celebrate and collaborate, making the awards night a bright spot for what would have otherwise been a blah Monday night.

So, let’s get into some standout moments of this year’s VMAs…for better or for worse.

​ A Tribute to the Queen of Soul

Madonna Photo by Hahn Lionel-ABACA-Shutterstock

Who better to pay R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the late Aretha Franklin than another icon, the recently-turned-60 Madonna? Well, in the case of last night’s speech, probably anyone. Rather than recall so many of Franklin’s contributions to the music business and to the world in general, Madonna’s speech was loaded with stories about herself instead of the Queen of Soul. Couldn’t some artists come together to perform a medley of Franklin’s greatest hits? Let’s not even get started on Madonna’s getup…

J. Lo’s Performance and Acceptance Speech

Jennifer Lopez MTV Video Music Awards NYC Show 2018 Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup/Shutterstock

You’ve got to hand it to Jennifer Lopez. She may be “from the block” but after decades in the biz, this woman has gone from the Bronx to the big time. Taking home the coveted Video Vanguard award, J. Lo gave a show-stopping performance, an emotional and engaging acceptance speech, and showed the world that pushing 50 has never looked finer. Ageless, amazing, and A-Rod’s #1, Lopez stole the show with sophistication-meets-sex appeal only she can master.

New Baby, New Artist

Cardi B Photo by David Fisher (Shutterstock)

Cardi B is having a year to remember; she’s a first-time mom and this year’s VMAs winner of “Best New Artist.” Her first major appearance since giving birth, Cardi B looked classy and curvaceous, happy and hot as ever. She came out clutching what the audience thought was her little one, but opened the blanket to reveal an award instead. Well, now she has both!

Check out all the winners of the night:

Video of the Year: Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” Bruno Mars – “Finesse (Remix)” [ft. Cardi B]WINNER: Camila Cabello – “Havana” [ft. Young Thug] The Carters – “APES**T” Childish Gambino – “This Is America” Drake – “God’s Plan”

Artist of the Year: Ariana Grande Bruno MarsWINNER: Camila Cabello Cardi B Drake Post Malone

Song of the Year: Bruno Mars – “Finesse (Remix)” [ft. Cardi B] Camila Cabello – “Havana” [ft. Young Thug] Drake – “God’s Plan” Dua Lipa – “New Rules” Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”WINNER: Post Malone – “rockstar” [ft. 21 Savage]

Post Malone Australia Photo by Stephen Booth (Shuttersock)

Best New Artist:

BazziWINNER: Cardi B Chloe x Halle Hayley Kiyoko Lil Pump Lil Uzi Vert

Best Collaboration: Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be” Bruno Mars – “Finesse (Remix)” [ft. Cardi B] The Carters – “APES**T”WINNER: Jennifer Lopez – “Dinero” [ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B] Logic – “1-800-273-8255” [ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid] N.E.R.D – “Lemon” [ft. Rihanna]

Best Pop Video:WINNER: Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” Camila Cabello – “Havana” [ft. Young Thug] Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry” Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” P!nk – “What About Us” Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood”

Best Hip Hop Video:

Cardi B – “Bartier Cardi” [ft. 21 Savage] The Carters – “APES**T” Drake – “God’s Plan” J. Cole – “ATM” Migos – “Walk It Talk It” [ft. Drake]WINNER: Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li”

Best Dance Video:WINNER: Avicii – “Lonely Together” [ft. Rita Ora] Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss” The Chainsmokers – “Everybody Hates Me” David Guetta & Sia – “Flames” Marshmello – “Silence” [ft. Khalid] Zedd & Liam Payne – “Get Low (Street Video)”

Best Latin Video: Daddy Yankee – “Dura”WINNER: J Balvin – “Mi Gente” [ft. Willy William] Jennifer Lopez – “Dinero” [ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B] Luis Fonsi – “Échame La Culpa” [ft. Demi Lovato] Maluma – “Felices los 4” Shakira – “Chantaje” [ft. Maluma]

Best Rock Video: Fall Out Boy – “Champion” Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is A Neighborhood”WINNER: Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes” Linkin Park – “One More Light” Panic! at the Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Walk On Water”

Video With a Message:

WINNER: Childish Gambino – “This Is America” Dej Loaf and Leon Bridges – “Liberated” Drake – “God’s Plan” Janelle Monáe – “PYNK” Jessie Reyez – “Gatekeeper” Logic – “1-800-273-8255” [ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid]

Best Cinematography: Alessia Cara – “Growing Pains” Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry”WINNER: The Carters – “APES**T” Childish Gambino – “This Is America” Eminem – “River” [ft. Ed Sheeran] Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood”

Best Direction: The Carters – “APES**T”WINNER: Childish Gambino – “This Is America” Drake – “God’s Plan” Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” Justin Timberlake – “Say Something” [ft. Chris Stapleton] Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood”

Best Art Direction:

WINNER: The Carters – “APES**T” Childish Gambino – “This Is America” J. Cole – “ATM” Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” SZA – “The Weekend” Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do”

Best Visual Effects: Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” Eminem – “Walk On Water” [ft. Beyoncé]WINNER: Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” Maroon 5 – “Wait” Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do”

Best Choreography: Bruno Mars – “Finesse (Remix)” [ft. Cardi B] Camila Cabello – “Havana” [ft. Young Thug] The Carters – “APES**T”WINNER: Childish Gambino – “This Is America” Dua Lipa – “IDGAF” Justin Timberlake – “Filthy”

Best Editing: Bruno Mars – “Finesse (Remix)” [ft. Cardi B] The Carters – “APES**T” Childish Gambino – “This Is America” Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel”WINNER: N.E.R.D – “Lemon” [ft. Rihanna] Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do”

Push Artist of the Year: July 2018 – Chloe x Halle June 2018 – Sigrid May 2018 – Lil XanWINNER: April 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko March 2018 – Jessie Reyez February 2018 – Tee Grizzley January 2018 – Bishop Briggs December 2017 – Grace VanderWaal November 2017 – Why Don’t We October 2017 – PRETTYMUCH September 2017 – SZA August 2017 – Kacy Hill July 2017 – Khalid June 2017 – Kyle May 2017 – Noah Cyrus

Song of Summer:

Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss”WINNER: Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin – “I Like It” DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper & Quavo – “No Brainer” Drake – “In My Feelings” Ella Mai – “Boo’d Up” Juice WRLD – “Lucid Dreams” Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B – “Girls Like You” Post Malone – “Better Now”