The 19 Best- and Worst-Dressed Celebs at the 2024 VMAs

Artist of the Year nominee, “Fortnight” singer, and the world’s most powerful childless cat lady, Taylor Swift came to the VMAs clearly feeling herself. And who can blame her? She’s coming off the best professional year of her life, she’s in love with a hot man, and she may just have changed the course of a presidential election. This is a time for showing up in a kickass look. She’s been moving into harder styles a lot lately, but this look is sexy, adult, and strong in a way that feels forward-looking for this mega-star.

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After a string of health problems that kept her out of the picture for a while, Halsey returned to the VMAs to debut a new song in a classic dress. She sported this vintage Versace last worn by Elizabeth Hurley in 1996. We love ourselves some classic ‘90s fashion, but the beading is oddly placed, the print is really harsh, and we’re not sure dying her hair to match was such a great idea.

Injecting a little old-school Hollywood glam into the proceedings, the “In Your Hands” singer opted for a classic chanteuse style in this beaded, fringed, lipstick-red strapless gown. The look is polished, the hair is stunning, and the color looks amazing on her. The fringe looks very annoying to deal with, however, and that hip cutout almost ruins it. Still, she sparkles and glows in it, despite our little quibbles.

The “Wanna Be” singer and multiple nominee served up ‘90s R&B legendary realness in what looked like an homage Left-Eye Lopes of the iconic ‘90s girl group TLC. It’s a fun and sexy salute to R&B history. Is it chic? Not really, but we doubt that was the goal. The bandeau top (to put it generously) is terrible, but the jacket and pants are great. Love the hair!

Because sometimes, all you need at the VMAs is some string and a smile, if you know how to sell it. Fortunately for the “Water” singer and Best New Artist nominee, her brightly sassy little frock didn’t come off like the mess it might have, partially because of the fun and fabulous styling. Her hair looks amazing and we love the combination of the turquoise necklace and coral sandals. It’s a fun, bold, perfect end-of-summer look, so long as you don’t trip over that fringe.

SEE MORE OF TYLA’S LOOK

The Video Vanguard Award winner evidently swam there after her boat overturned. Or that’s the impression her look gave, anyway. We’ll never complain about anyone wearing off-the-wall or attention-seeking fashion at the VMAs, but this just looks dreary and overwrought to us. There’s no sense of fun or wit to it and the dripping-wet styling is off-putting.

SEE MORE OF KATY’S LOOK

In the grand tradition of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Madonna, the “Mil Veces” singer and Best Latin nominee joked that she was trying to manifest a change in her life, but dressing as a bride at the VMAs practically required of pop stars at this point. She avoided cliché with a minimalist veil and a bondage-inspired bodice, lending the look a sense of drama and a scorching hotness.

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We don’t know what it is about this one, but it just didn’t work for us. We’ve always been huge fans and supporters of his big gay nonsense, both on and off the red carpet, but something about doing Pink Power Ranger cosplay at the VMAs struck us as stale or tired. Save that for Comic Con.

The “ICU” singer came on like a romantic storm cloud in this floaty, ethereal gown that felt barely there, but the effect was prettily illusory. We’re not the biggest fans of car wash skirts, but there’s something dreamy, cool, and modern about this look that really suits her. She looked stunning.

Sometimes we get annoyed with goofy novelty designs that make it look like a dress is falling off or dripping wet, but we’ve never seen a dress that made it look like the wearer was escaping a trap of some sort. The hostess of the evening sent the message that she had this one in the bag—literally. It’s a fun design that’s also a little hot. Probably not all that easy to walk in, but she looks cute.

SEE MORE OF MEGAN’S LOOK

The “Good Looking” singer came to present an award, but it also felt like the brand-new mom was having a night out and having a little glamour as a treat for herself. She’s always had an offbeat, sexy Boho sort of style and this is more of the same. It feels very much her, but we have to be honest: The proportions here are awkward. The feather jacket is a fun idea, but it’s just giving her gorilla arms. The cutouts are awkwardly placed. If she’s feeling herself, we’re happy for her, but this look is not working for us.

SEE MORE OF SUKI’S LOOK

Appearing at the VMAs to debut his new song, “Nobody Knows,” the singer sported this surprisingly chic and understated D&G suit. He does very well with classic menswear and we won’t claim this looks anything but fantastic on him, but like so much of his public style, we find it incredibly dull. He could wear this in his sleep.

The “Greedy” singer and Best Pop nominee practically redefined the barely-there dress in this flimsy/sexy Cavalli number. There’s not a lot to critique or assess about a look like this. It either works or it doesn’t, and in this case, it’s working like crazy. She looks scorching hot.

SEE MORE OF TATE’S LOOK

The “Nasty” singer was snubbed for a nomination this year and we kind of wonder if that’s why she went so hard on the red carpet. Rick Owens isn’t easy to pull off in a setting like this, and if we’re being honest, the design doesn’t really appeal to us, but she looks wildly hot and it’s giving a Furiosa feel to it that we can’t help but love a little.