The Absolute BEST Moments of the 2014 VMAs

(Image credit: Archive)

By Diana Pearl

published 25 August 2014

1. The pre-show fashion. Slits up to here, crop tops, and super short hems all over the red carpet.

Clothing, Flooring, Shoulder, Red, Carpet, Style, Dress, Fashion, Fashion model, Eyelash,

2. When this guy in the pre-show audience won tickets to the VMAs. Best. Reaction. Ever.

3. Katy Perry and Riff Raff's denim homage to NSYNC-era Britney and Justin.

4. Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Nicki Minaj's EPIC opening number.

Human body, Shoulder, Human leg, Waist, Swimwear, Thigh, Knee, Beauty, Trunk, Abdomen,

5. Taylor Swift's first ever live performance of her latest single, "Shake It Off".

5. When Miley Cyrus's reaction to Taylor Swift's performance of "Shake It Off" mirrored Taylor's reaction to Miley's "We Can't Stop" performance last year.

6. When Jay Pharoah impersonated Kanye West to a tee.

7. Swooning to Sam Smith singing "Stay With Me"

8. The more somber moments: Common's call for a moment of silence to honor the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and the heart-wrenching, tear-inducing Robin Williams memorial.

9. Usher rocking out on guitar.

10. Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora, AKA the most fabulous duo ever, on stage performing "Black Widow."

11. Miley letting a homeless teen accept her award for Best Video Of The Year for "Wrecking Ball."

12. Beyoncé performing song after song from her latest album with bonus home videos of Blue Ivy. Cutest. Thing. Ever.

13. Jay Z presenting Beyoncé with her Vanguard award, shutting down ALL divorce rumors with their picturesque family love.

I'm an Associate Editor at the Business of Fashion, where I edit and write stories about the fashion and beauty industries. Previously, I was the brand editor at Adweek, where I was the lead editor for Adweek's brand and retail coverage. Before my switch to business journalism, I was a writer/reporter at PEOPLE.com, where I wrote news posts, galleries and articles for PEOPLE magazine's website. My work has been published on TheAtlantic.com, ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, PEOPLE.com, GoodHousekeeping.com and in Every Day with Rachael Ray. It has been syndicated by Cosmopolitan.com, TIME.com, TravelandLeisure.com and GoodHousekeeping.com, among other publications. Previously, I've worked at VOGUE.com, ELLE.com, and MarieClaire.com.