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Swift, Cardi B and Missy Elliott Bring Girl Power to Video Music Awards Show

Reuters

   Taylor Swift picked up two awards, including video of the year, in a
   girl-powered start to the MTV Video Music Awards show on Monday, while
   rapper Cardi B won best hip-hop video and newcomer Lizzo celebrated big
   women.

   Swift opened the show with a rainbow-themed performance of her
   pro-LGBTQ single "You Need to Calm Down," followed by her first live
   performance of the romantic ballad "Lover," the lead single from her
   new, and already best-selling, album of the same name.

   "You Need to Calm Down" brought the country-turned-pop singer one of
   the top prizes - video of the year - being handed out during Monday's
   ceremony. It also took the "video for good" statuette for songs that
   have raised awareness.

   Accepting the video of the year award, Swift said that since the VMAs
   are chosen by fans: "It means that you want a world where we are all
   treated equally under the law."

   Swift and pop singer Ariana Grande went into the fan-voted ceremony in
   Newark, New Jersey, with a leading 10 nominations each and also were
   competing for song of the year, best pop, and video of the year.

   Grande, currently on tour in Europe and absent from Monday's show, is
   also a contender for the top award - artist of the year - along with
   Cardi B, 17-year-old alternative pop newcomer Billie Eilish, Halsey,
   the Jonas Brothers and Shawn Mendes.

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