MTV VMAs' most outrageous & iconic moments - From Kanye and Taylor Swift to Miley's twerk

Since the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) first aired in 1984, artists have been showcasing some standout performances. From Britney Spears to Rihanna to Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke, VMA showstoppers have become pop culture events remembered for years. 

Daily Express US has the rundown of some of the most iconic moments in the show's history.

2016 - Rihanna's killer performance

In 2016, Rihanna graced the Madison Square Garden stage with a mashup of her hits. She transitioned from her 2007 hit Don't Stop The Music to more recent tracks like We Found Love and Where Have You Been? 

With her immense vocal talent on display, fans were quick to praise her performance. 

“She absolutely killed this performance,” one fan commented.  

2009 - Kanye interrupts Taylor Swift

In 2009, Kanye West stirred up controversy when he interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for Best Female Video. 

His infamous words, "I'ma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time," sparked outrage and a feud that the public would remember for years to come.

2010 - Gaga's Meat Dress

All moments don't come from the stage, Lady Gaga cemented her place in VMA history when she wore her infamous meat dress in 2010.

While talking fashion, there was also Rose McGowan's barely there gown from 1998. 

Miley's Feuds and Performances

Miley delivered a tear-jerking performance at the 2019 VMAs when she debuted Slide Away, a soulful song about her relationship with Liam Hemsworth. 

The black-and-white tableau, accompanied by an orchestra, left fans in awe, with many declaring it Grammy-worthy.

The 2015 VMAs saw Nicki Minaj calling out Miley on stage during her acceptance speech for Best Hip-Hop Video. 

This confrontation followed Miley's negative comments about Nicki in the press, leading to a heated exchange that buzzed on social media for weeks afterward.

One of the most talked-about performances in VMA history came in 2013 when Miley and Robin Thicke took the stage for their controversial rendition of Blurred Lines and We Can't Stop. 

The provocative performance generated chatter on social media for weeks.

1984 - Madonna's wardrobe malfunction 

Madonna's 1984 performance of Like a Virgin remains etched in VMA history due to an unexpected wardrobe malfunction. 

As Madonna descended a 17-foot-tall wedding cake in a white wedding dress, one of her stilettos came loose, revealing a glimpse of her butt.  

“When I went backstage my manager told me my career was over with. Those were the days when you shouldn’t show your butt to have a career. Now it’s the opposite,” Madonna later reflected in a conversation on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Madonna's other iconic moment happened almost 20 years later when she planted a kiss on both Britney and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 VMAs, who were both wearing sexy wedding gowns in a nod to Madonna's 1984 performance.

Diana Ross joined the list of iconic moments when she infamously felt up Lil Kim at the 1999 show. 

2011 - Beyonce's pregnancy

Beyoncé surprised fans in 2011 by announcing her pregnancy at the end of her performance of Love on Top.

Unbuttoning her jacket to reveal her baby bump, the moment went down as a pregnancy announcement like no other, earning its place in VMA history.

2001 - Britney's snake dance

Britney made headlines in 2001 when she performed I'm A Slave 4 U with a live python around her neck. 

The bold performance shocked and thrilled the audience and, even in the moment, fans seemed to know they were watching an iconic moment unfold, 

“People in the audience watching her and knowing she was about to make music history,” one fan commented.

While that performance was memorable in a good way, her opening performance at the 2007 VMAs was less so. 

In a moment that was supposed to be her comeback, Brit seemed visibly uncomfortable and kind of out of it, and fans were quick to notice.