August 24, 2014 11:36 PM EDT
When you’re accepting the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, your performance better be something big — say, performing a medley of the majority of your “visual album” in roughly 20 minutes. Beyoncé closed out the show by running through most of the songs on her self-titled surprise release, which dropped at the end of last year with an accompanying music video for each song (as vanguards do).
With the exception of her jewel-encrusted leotard, Beyoncé’s performance was otherwise unflashy — in the best way. She passed on costume changes and complex stage designs for simple showmanship and solid choreography while husband Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy looked on from the crowd. If you ever wonder why devoted fans deify her with nicknames like Queen Bey and Beysus, this performance makes it clear.
And if you wanted to know anything about the state of Beyoncé’s marriage (or at least what they want you to think), take a hint from Jay, who presented her with the award while planting a kiss and calling her “the greatest living entertainer.” Um, what breakup?
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 Images Jennifer Lopez attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Larry Busacca—Getty Images Ke$ha attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Miley Cyrus attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Larry Busacca—Getty Images Kelly Rowland attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images Iggy Azalea attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images Solange Knowles attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Singer Demi Lovato attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Laverne Cox attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Jordin 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 Images Actress Julianne Hough attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images Gwen Stefani attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Christopher Polk—Getty Images Ed Sheeran and Sway attend the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Nicki Minaj attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Chloë Grace Moretz attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images Alexandra Shipp attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Charli XCX attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Sarah Hyland attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Ariana Grande attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Tyler Oakley attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Lucy Hale attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Greer Grammer attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images More Must-Reads from TIME Where Trump 2.0 Will Differ From 1.0 How Elon Musk Became a Kingmaker The Power—And Limits—of Peer Support The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024 Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024 Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision