Lizzo, Dove Cameron and Nicki Minaj spoke straight to the hearts of their fans at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, sharing inspirational messages against hate.
The 34-year-old ‘About Damn Time’ singer received the Right Award video, which presenter Bebe Rexha said about musicians who “push us to be better with ourselves and kinder to each other” .
When Lizzo took the stage, she thanked fans for voting and discussed the importance of voting for change.
“Your vote means everything to me“, she said. “(Your vote) means everything to make a change in this country. So remember, when you vote for your favorite artists, vote to change some of these laws that oppress us.”
The musician also made a pointed remark towards people who “have something to say about me in the press” that she wins.
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Lizzo applauds comedian Aries Spears for fat-shaming
Lizzo’s remark about people talking about her to the press follows comedian Aries Spears shaming her in an interview with “The Art of Dialogue” podcast on Friday.
She explained at the VMAs that many of her fans were wondering, “Why aren’t you responding?”
“Because (expletive) I win! It’s won!” the “Good As Hell” singer said in mic drop fashion.
Going wild in a fatphobic rantSpears said of Lizzo: “She’s got a really pretty face, but she keeps showing off her body. …Sister, put down the lightning bolt. That’s not it. conveyor belt.”
On Twitter, Lizzo shared her VMAs speech and added, “KEEP MY NAME IN YO MOUF CAUSE I KNOW IT TASTES GOOD.”
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Dove Cameron Thanks Fans For Supporting Her ‘Openly Queer’ Music
Cameron, 26, won Best New Artist and dedicated his speech to others in the LGBTQ community.
“I want to dedicate this to all the gay kids who don’t feel like they can take up space and inhabit the fullness of who they are,” the Disney Channel star said.
Cameron’s hit ‘Boyfriend’, released in November, was his first song that spoke about his queer identity and quickly rose to the top of the charts.
“Thank you for putting an openly queer song on mainstream radio,” she continued. “Thank you for supporting me as a person and an artist that I am and I hope that in this way you have also given yourself this same privilege.”
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Nicki Minaj shares a poignant message about taking mental health seriously
Minaj, 39, took home the biggest prize of the night, the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, which has already been awarded to artists including Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Madonna and The Rolling Stones.
The “Yikes” rapper thanked the people who inspired and supported her, including Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Madonna, Foxy Brown, Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé.
She then turned her attention to late artists, including Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Hussle, Pop Smoke and Juice Wrld, and shared an important message about mental health.
“I wish Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were here,” Minaj said. “I want people to understand what they’re going through. I want people to take mental health seriously, even for those who seem to have perfect lives.”
