Megan kicked off the night in a patriotic leotard before bringing out a real snake and delivering a high-energy performance.
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion acted as an energetic and engaging host for Wednesday night’s MTV Video Music Awards.
The 29-year-old kicked off the night in a one-shoulder leotard, reminiscent of one that might be worn by an Olympic gymnast. Megan gave a shout-out to gold medalist and fellow Houston native Simone Biles, joking that Biles let her borrow the outfit and she made a few changes. “I deserve a gold medal for being a bad bitch,” Megan joked.
The VMAs spent the night celebrating 40 years of the award show, looking back on big moments of the past. Megan opted to pay homage herself, coming out with a real snake in honor of Britney Spears‘ iconic 2001 performance. She even sported Spears’ immediately recognizable outfit.
Megan spent only a moment with the snake before asking for the show to turn off the music and get the snake. “I’m just playing. Come get this snake,” she said.
“I don’t know this snake. This snake don’t know me,” Megan said, yelping as handlers took the animal off her shoulders. “I tried to hold it down for Britney,” she added.
Megan Thee Stallion performs on stage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
Manny Carabel/Getty Images for MTV
Megan performed a medley of several songs including “BOA,” “B.A.S” and “HISS.” The rapper also performed her most recent hit single, “Mamushi,” from her recent album Megan. She also brought out the song’s featuring artist, Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba. Megan introduced the performer mid-song, shouting “All the way from Japan for the first time, Yuki!”
Yuki Chiba and Megan Thee Stallion perform on stage during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for MTV
In one of her many costume changes of the night, Megan hit the stage dressed in her outfit from the recent Gladiator II-inspired Pepsi ad. This latest iteration of a colossal Gladiator-themed ad campaign featured Megan, along with football stars Josh Allen, Derrick Henry and Justin Jefferson.
Megan Thee Stallion performs at the VMAs
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for MTV
The campaign, which merges the worlds of music, sports and entertainment, comes after the epic 2004 Super Bowl commercial Roman Empire that starred Beyoncé, Spears and Pink.
Check out Megan’s entire performance below. A full list of VMA winners can be found here.