Miley Cyrus Wonders Naughty Puppets or a Trump Diss for Her VMA Performance
To put it politely, Miley Cyrus has a VMA performance history that is really quite something. In 2015, there was the mass drag queen gathering for a song which no one quite remembers. Before that, there was that whole twerking affair with Robin Thicke at the 2013 edition which no one will every be able to quite forget.
Cyrus is set to perform once again at this year’s go around, but (much like the entire ceremony) what she may actually do is still up in the air and apparently the subject of some behind-the-scenes drama.
Cyrus is set to perform her latest single “Younger Now”—the one she released a puppet-filled video for earlier in the month—but MTV has reportedly given her an entire minute before the song to do with as she pleases. Or at least as her team pleases. Enter the dream.
As per Page Six, Diane Martel, the legendary music video director behind the “Younger Now” clip, is pulling double duty as Cyrus’s “creative director” and wants the star to use the minute to host a raunchy puppet show (because, as RuPaul will tell you, everybody loves puppets).
“There was talk of a ‘puppet orgy,’ as well as an idea where one puppet ‘sniffs Miley’s privates’ after she makes a joke about ‘keeping it clean down there,’” reports the gossip column.
Apparently this would all serve to remind us of Cyrus’s puppet chops.
Martel, however, apparently thinks Cyrus’s manager Adam Leber has different designs. Per the sources, she thinks he wants Cyrus to diss President Donald Trump merely to “make headlines.” This would jibe with the night’s inevitable theme of dissing people merely to make headlines (ahem, Katy and Taylor).
Martel however released a statement to Page Six (we assume through text message) denying any strife, writing, “No friction! Excitement! Mileys number will be sunrising and emotional, her new some [sic] younger Now is beautiful and contemplative and self written.”
Earlier in the week, Variety reported that plans for the entire show are still very much up in the air all around.
“Executive producer Garrett English emphasized how fluid the schedule of the show would be until Sunday,” reported the trade publication. “According to English, dress rehearsals will continue until moments before the show goes live.”
Related: Until Missy Elliott Wins the Video Vanguard Award, the VMAs Mean Nothing
MTV VMAs: See What Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and More Wore to Their First Video Music Awards
Arguably the queen of the VMAs, Britney Spears made her first appearance in 1999 in sheer black; 17 years later, she wore a similarly-colored ensemble.
Taylor Swift kicked off her storied VMA history in a blush pink dress in 2008; in 2015, she took home Video of the Year in sequined sweats.
Alicia Keys attended her first VMA’s in 2004 wearing a grecian-inspired gown; last year, she appeared bare-faced.
In 2000, Beyoncé attended the ceremony with her Destiny’s Child band members wearing matching leather looks; last year, she took home “Video of the Year” in a feathered couture gown.
Ariana Grande opted for a sweet floral look for her first VMA red carpet; in 2016, she opted for something a bit more mature, by Alexander Wang.
The picture of pop princess-dom, Christina Aguilera went leopard and sheer for the 1999 ceremony; by 2008, she was fully embracing the glam side of things.
Justin Bieber piled on the accessories for his first ceremony in 2010; in 2015, he opted for a more streamlined look in ripped jeans and a leather jacket.
Ciara attended her first show in 2008 wearing a silver minidress; in 2015, she took a much more fashion-forward approach in a fringed number.
Jared Leto presented at the 2006 awards wearing some serious guyliner and a white skinny scarf; nine years later, despite a new Academy Award, the actor proved he still was into his goth ways.
J.Lo showed up to the 1998 awards in a oversized cream suit and matching hat; the singer’s look for the 2015 awards was far more on par to the Jennifer Lopez we know now.
Kanye West arrived at the 2004 awards in an all-white ensemble; twelve years later, he wore a similar ensemble and arrived with now-wife Kim Kardashian.
Justin Timberlake showed up with the rest of the ‘Nsync gang in a leather jacket; by 2013, he had shifted to his signature fedora.
Katy Perry, who will host this year’s ceremony, crafted her own ensemble for the 2008 awards; at the 2014 awards, she riffed on Britney Spears’s iconic denim gown.
Lady Gaga kicked off her tradition of kooky ensembles in 2009 wearing a feathered look; in 2013, she saved her theatrics for the stage.
In a leather mini and trailing braid, Kesha made her VMA debut in 2010; in 2014, she toned down the look with a pastel gown and matching hair.
Madonna kicked off the inaugural ceremony in 1984; in 2009, she returned in a subdued black suit.
A year before her iconic lavendar catsuit, L’il Kim matched Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez at the 1997 awards; the rapper let her boots do the talking in 2013.
Gwen Stefani attended the 1997 awards with her No Doubt bandmates; in 2014, she was solo and donning shocking pink.
Miley Cyrus arrived at the 2008 awards in a modest metallic dress; in 2015, her look was still metallic but definitely not modest.
Pink, who will receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award, took home her first moon-man in 2001; the singer arrived at the 2012 awards in a metallic gown.
Rihanna was a fresh-faced and little-known singer when she attended the show in 2005; last year, she recieved the Video Vanguard award.
Demi Lovato attended the 2011 awards in a sequined minidress; four years later, she returned wearing a similar ensemble.
Selena Gomez made her VMA debut in 2011 in a high-low black dress; in 2015, she was super sophisticated in navy Calvin Klein.
Solange arrived at the 2001 awards in an ensemble she’d likely not be caught in today; the singer was much more in tune with her current sartorial standard by 2014.
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