This is how you open an awards show with bang (bang): Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and Jessie J kicked off the 2014 Video Music Awards with a medley of their summer hits: “Break Free,” “Anaconda” and “Bang Bang.”
This is also how you manage an apparent costume-change failure with grace: Nicki Minaj looked like she struggled to get into her next outfit when she returned for her “Bang Bang” rap clutching her dress for dear life.
The last time this many divas opened the show, there was some lip-locking involved. But barring Nicki Minaj’s near-wardrobe malfunction, the opening medley was surprisingly low on stunts— not even the reported snakes made an appearance! — just some intergalactic outfits, a few hair flips and plenty of powerful pipes on display.
See Photos of Celebrities on the Red Carpet at the 2014 VMAs
Taylor Swift attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty ImagesJennifer Lopez attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Larry Busacca—Getty ImagesKe$ha attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.Jason Merritt—Getty ImagesMiley Cyrus attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Larry Busacca—Getty ImagesKelly Rowland attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Frazer Harrison—Getty ImagesIggy Azalea attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty ImagesSolange Knowles attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty ImagesSinger Demi Lovato attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty ImagesLaverne Cox attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty ImagesJordin Sparks and Jason Derulo attend the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty ImagesActress Julianne Hough attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California..Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty ImagesGwen Stefani attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.Christopher Polk—Getty ImagesEd Sheeran and Sway attend the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty ImagesNicki Minaj attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty ImagesChloë Grace Moretz attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Frazer Harrison—Getty ImagesAlexandra Shipp attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty ImagesCharli XCX attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.Jason Merritt—Getty ImagesSarah Hyland attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty ImagesAriana Grande attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty ImagesTyler Oakley attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.Jason Merritt—Getty ImagesLucy Hale attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty ImagesGreer Grammer attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California..Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images