MTV VMAs unveil their most impressive stage ever ahead of 40th anniversary celebration
The MTV Video Music Awards are famous for their outrageous moments rather than the actual stage design.
During the inaugural ceremony in 1984, Madonna made a splash by performing “Like A Virgin” in a white wedding gown. Over the years, the VMAs, known for their fun and unpredictable nature, have delivered unforgettable moments like Michael Jackson kissing Lisa Marie Presley in 1994, the iconic kiss between Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera in 2003, Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift in 2009, and Beyoncé sharing her pregnancy news during a 2011 performance.
As the VMAs celebrate their 40th anniversary on September 11, the organizers are raising the stakes by revealing a stunning new stage design, and YSL News has the exclusive first look at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York.
“We elevated the iconic Moon Person (the VMAs trophy) to a new level,” stated Matt Steinbrenner. “The design showcases the Moon Person emerging from a video landscape, reaching out into the audience with a massive moon suspended in the arena. The moon and the visor of the Moon Person feature projection mapping, allowing us to display memorable VMA moments in a modern and spectacular fashion.”
Here are five key facts about the stage where artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Eminem, and Chappell Roan will perform, along with countless surprises:
- The towering Moon Person stands at an impressive 62 feet tall from the floor to the tip of its helmet, with one arm reaching 55 feet into the space.
- This inflatable sculpture weighs 1,200 pounds, and the entire set amounts to just under 400,000 pounds, making it the heaviest set in VMAs history.
- The Moon Person is crafted from 4,200 yards of fabric, requiring 3,400 hours for its creation.
- The stage features over 1,700 video tiles.
- Within the set are five separate stages, including one that can elevate 19 feet above the arena floor.
