MTV VMAs 2018

Madonna gives tribute to Aretha at MTV VMAs

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the MTV Video Music Awards (all times local):

11:45 p.m.

The queen of soul got a less than royal tribute at the MTV Video Music Awards when Madonna came out to deliver a rambling story about Aretha Franklin's music without any performance of the late singer's classic songs.

Madonna presented the video of the year award to Camila Cabello on Monday night after talking at length about her own career.

A short archive video of Franklin was played before Madonna declared that Franklin "changed the course of my life."

She ended the speech by saying "I want to thank you for empowering all of us, RESPECT."

Cabello then accepted the trophy from Madonna, winning the biggest award of the night for "Havana."

She bowed in respect to Madonna, and dedicated the award to her.

___

11:30 p.m.

After a mini cast reunion on the pink carpet outside, MTV announced the return of the series "The Hills" during the Video Music Awards.

It'll be a docuseries called "The Hills: New Beginnings." MTV said in a statement that it's slated to premiere next year. It will follow the personal and professional lives of original cast members alongside their children and friends in Los Angeles.

A slew of original cast members reunited on the carpet including Justin Brescia, Stephanie Pratt, Frankie Delgado, Ashley Wahler, Audrina Patridge, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt.

The original reality show aired for six seasons, ending in 2010. It initially focused on the LA lives of Lauren Conrad and housemate Montag, along with Patridge, Whitney Port and several other friends.

___

10:40 p.m.

Entering in a flowing gown hovering above the stage, Jennifer Lopez descended and unleashed a medley of her hit songs, including "Waiting For Tonight" and "My Love Don't Cost A Thing" before accepting a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The 49-year-old JLo turned Radio City Music Hall into a nightclub with walls of lights and dancers Monday night then accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

With Cardi B cheering her on from the audience and the help of DJ Khaled on stage, the actress, singer and dancer hit career highlights with "Jenny From the Block" and "I'm Real" as she bathed the stage in gold costumes.

Lopez came back to the stage to accept the honor from presenter Shawn Mendes, saying that her wildest dreams had come true. Lopez said people doubted her ability to juggle it all, but that she had to "forge my own path and make my own rules."

___

10 p.m.

With a human wall, the immigration debate took center stage at the MTV Video Music Awards in a performance criticizing the Trump administration's policy of separating families at the border.

Wearing white T-shirts reading "We Are All Human Beings," more than two dozen immigrant children and their parents joined Logic and Ryan Tedder on stage Monday night.

The children, including some younger kids who appeared intimidated by the crowd, stood in a line, some swaying and clapping to Logic's new song, "One Day." He debuted it Friday with a new music video based on true stories of separations at the U.S.-Mexico border.

On stage, their parents came out from behind, simulating reunions. The protesters hoisted faux candles in the air as the song concluded.

Trump dropped the policy more than a month ago after a political firestorm, but of more than 2,500 children who were initially separated from parents and guardians, hundreds remain in federal custody including more than 400 whose parents left the U.S. without them.

___

9:15 p.m.

Cardi B, the night's leading nominee, new mama and super-hot rapper, opened the MTV Video Music Awards swaddling a precious bundle.

The rapper, who gave birth to daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus just weeks ago, told the crowd Monday night she had a surprise in her arms and pulled back the blanket to reveal a Moonman trophy.

The rapper had already won an award before the show began, song of the summer for her song "I Like It," with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, and was the leading nominee of the night, up for 10 awards.

She declared as she stood on the stage: "I am the empress. The liberals voted for me," before introducing the show's first performer, Shawn Mendes.

___

8:50 p.m.

Cardi B walked into the MTV VMAs as the night's top nominee and already a winner.

MTV announced on the carpet Monday night about 30 minutes before the awards show that the rapper was the winner of the song of the summer award for "I Like It," with Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

Cardi B wasn't there to accept the award because she was opening the show where she's nominated for 10 awards, including video of the year for "Finesse" with Bruno Mars.

___

8:40 p.m.

Stormy Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, found himself in the thick of the youthful crowd arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards talking politics. More specifically, talking elections.

He told The Associated Press on the pink carpet Monday night that young people will play a "big role" in the 2020 elections. But what about this year's races? Avenatti's on it. He's traveling around the country trying to raise money for democrats. His goal is to hit up 20 states. He's been to four or five so far.

Avenatti has been on a media blitz since taking on the adult film star Daniels as his client in a legal case against President Donald Trump and his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen. Avenatti was vague about whether he'll run for president in 2020. He said whoever runs "better be in store for a cage match."

And the latest with Daniels? Avenatti says "She's doing great. She's in it for the long haul."

___

8 p.m.

Cardi B slayed on the pink carpet in a low-cut body-hugger of a dress by Nicolas Jebran as performers, presenters and nominees arrived for the MTV Video Music Awards.

The draped velvet-fuchsia number worn by the "Bodak Yellow" rapper had a high slit to go with its down-to-there neck. It had one long sleeve and draped detailing at the shoulder on the other side.

Cardi B will open Monday's show and is the night's top nominee just weeks after giving birth to daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus.

She's up for video of the year with "Finesse," her collaboration with Bruno Mars.

___

11 a.m.

Cardi B will make her first public appearance as a mom at the MTV Video Music Awards, and it might be worth it: She could be the night's big winner.

The rapper is the top contender with 10 nominations. She will open Monday's show, which kicks off at 9 p.m. EDT from Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Cardi B and Bruno Mars are up for video of the year with "Finesse." Other nominees for the top prize include Drake, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Childish Gambino, Camila Cabello and Ariana Grande.

Most of the top nominees, including Drake, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Mars and Gambino, won't attend the VMAs.

Performers include Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Shawn Mendes and Grande. Jennifer Lopez will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

MTV also plans on honoring Aretha Franklin, who died last week.

J. Lo gets emotional at MTV VMAs

NEW YORK (AP) — With most of music industry's top acts absent, the two-hour MTV Video Music Awards lacked star power and felt flat — and it was up to a pop veteran to bring the house down.

Jennifer Lopez, who earned the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement, provided the night's most energetic performance as she gave a lengthy performance of her hit songs.

She started off slow — Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott's unamused faces perfectly captured the vibe — but she hit a strong stride when she sang old smashes like "Jenny from the Block," ''I'm Real" — where Ja Rule joined her onstage — and "All I Have," which showed the skilled dancer's vocal range.

But Lopez's speech was more stirring than her powerful performance: She was emotional as she thanked her children and beau Alex Rodriguez onstage at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

She was teary-eyed and looked at her "two little angels," as she called them, and said, "I stand here stronger and better than ever ... so thank you Max and Emme." She called Rodriguez, who filmed her performance with his phone, "my twin soul."

"My life is sweeter and better with you in it," she said.

While Lopez's speech went for the heart, Cardi B aimed for jokes. The rapper, in her well-known silly demeanor, "opened" the show — not with a performance, but with cute jokes. The new mom was onstage pretending to hold a baby, but she then revealed to the audience that it was actually a Moonman, which she won earlier in the night for song of the summer for her No. 1 hit, "I Like It," with Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

Cardi B was the top contender of the night with 10 nominations. She gave birth to Kulture Kiari Cephus last month and was up for video of the year with "Finesse," her collaboration with Bruno Mars. The song's video, inspired by the 1990s sketch comedy series "In Living Color," is also nominated for four other honors.

For the top prize, Cardi B and Mars were competing with Childish Gambino's "This Is America," Drake's "God's Plan," Beyonce and Jay-Z's "Apes--t," Camila Cabello's "Havana" and Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left to Cry." But only Cardi B and Grande were on hand for the evening's festivities.

Nicki Minaj won the first televised award — best hip hop — and checked comedian Tiffany Haddish for dissing girl group Fifth Harmony, now on hiatus.

After congratulating ex-Fifth Harmony member Cabello on her five nominations, presenter Haddish said sarcastically, "Hi Fifth Harmony." When Minaj accepted an award moments later, she looked to Haddish and said, "Don't be coming for Fifth Harmony because Normani is that (chick)." Normani currently has her first hit apart from the group with the Khalid-assisted "Love Lies."

Minaj, who has been a trending topic this week after she madly tweeted about why her new album debuted at No. 2 behind Travis Scott, also provided the first bleeped moment of the night when she told the audience to listen to her Apple Music radio show this week to hear "who the (expletive) of the day award is going to."

There was a political moment when Logic was joined onstage by young immigrants wearing T-shirts that read, "We are all human beings," to protest the Trump administration's separation of migrant children from their parents after they illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. The rapper, best known for the suicide prevention anthem "1-800-273-8255," wore a T-shirt that read, "(Expletive) the wall."

Grande won best pop video and thanked her fiance Pete Davidson "for existing."

As for the top nominees, Beyonce and Jay-Z were behind Cardi B with eight bids for "Apesh--t," filmed at the Louvre museum in Paris. Gambino's "This Is America," which tackles racism and gun violence, earned him seven nominations, while Drake, who gave away $1 million to Miami residents in his "God's Plan" clip, scored seven nods.

Logic stages immigrant protest at VMAs with parents, kids

NEW YORK (AP) — Wearing white T-shirts with the message "We are All Human Beings," more than two dozen immigrant children and their parents joined Logic and Ryan Tedder on stage Monday night at the MTV Video Music Awards to protest President Donald Trump's separation and detention policy.

The children, including some younger ones who appeared intimidated by the crowd, stood in a line as a "human wall," some swaying and clapping to Logic's new song, "One Day." He debuted it Friday with a new music video depicting a teen forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border from his parents and baby sibling.

On stage, their parents came out next from behind, simulating reunions with hugs. The protesters hoisted faux candles in the air as the song concluded.

Immigrant leaders from three advocacy groups, including United We Dream and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, participated. Logic wore a black T-shirt reading "F(asterisk)ck the Wall."

Three weeks after a federal court-ordered deadline to reunify families, the Department of Justice revealed last week that the Trump administration is still holding 565 of the children forcibly separated from their parents in federal detention, including 24 under age 5 who were supposed to be reunited more than a month ago, according to a statement from coordinators of the demonstration.

Cardi B wins VMA, Nicki Minaj defends Fifth Harmony member

NEW YORK (AP) — Cardi B, in her well-known silly demeanor, "opened" the 2018 Video Music Awards — not with a performance, but with cute jokes.

The new mom was onstage Monday at New York's Radio City Music Hall pretending to hold a baby, but she then revealed to the audience that it was actually a Moonman, which she won earlier in the night for song of the summer for her No. 1 hit, "I Like It," with Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

The rapper was the top contender of the night with 10 nominations. She gave birth to Kulture Kiari Cephus last month and is up for video of the year with "Finesse," her collaboration with Bruno Mars. The song's video, inspired by the 1990s sketch comedy series "In Living Color," is also nominated for four other honors.

For the top prize, Cardi B and Mars was competing with Childish Gambino's "This Is America," Drake's "God's Plan," Beyonce and Jay-Z's "Apes--t," Camila Cabello's "Havana" and Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left to Cry." (Most of the top nominees — including Drake, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Mars and Gambino — weren't expected the VMAs.)

Nicki Minaj won the first televised award — best hip hop — and checked comedian Tiffany Haddish for dissing girl group Fifth Harmony, now on hiatus.

After congratulating ex-Fifth Harmony Camila Cabello on her five nominations, presenter Haddish said sarcastically, "Hi Fifth Harmony." When Minaj accepted an award moments later, she looked to Haddish and said, "Don't be coming for Fifth Harmony because Normani is that (chick)." Normani currently has her first hit apart from the group with the Khalid-assisted "Love Lies."

Minaj, who has been a trending topic this week after she madly tweeted about why her new album debuted at No. 2 behind Travis Scott, also provided the first bleeped moment of the night when told the audience to listen to her Apple Music radio show this week to hear "who the (expletive) of the day award is going to."

There was a political moment when Logic was joined onstage by young immigrants wearing T-shirts that read, "We are all human beings," to protest the Trump administration's separation of migrant children from their parents after they illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. The rapper, best known for the suicide prevention anthem "1-800-273-8255," wore a T-shirt that read, "(Expletive) the wall."

Shawn Mendes was the night's first performer, and rocked the stage with a performance of "In My Blood." Other performers were to include Ariana Grande, Travis Scott, Minaj, Maluma and Post Malone, who won song of the year for "Rockstar."

"Thank you to my family, thank you to my crew ... This is sick," he said.

Grande won best pop video and thanked her fiance Pete Davidson "for existing."

Jennifer Lopez, who will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement, was also expected to hit the stage. MTV also plans on honoring Aretha Franklin, who died last week from pancreatic cancer at age 76.

As for the top nominees, Beyonce and Jay-Z were behind Cardi B with eight bids for "Apesh--t," filmed at the Louvre museum in Paris. Gambino's "This Is America," which tackles racism and gun violence, earned him seven nominations, while Drake, who gave away $1 million dollars to Miami residents in his "God's Plan" clip, scored seven nods.

Mars, who has six nominations, was up for artist of the year alongside Cardi B, Drake, Post Malone, Cabello and Grande.

Taylor Swift was shut out of the major categories but did nab three nominations for technical awards: Her No. 1 hit, "Look What You Made Me Do," is up for best art direction, best visual effects and best editing.

Cardi B's other nominations include best new artist, best hip-hop video for "Bartier Cardi" and best Latin video for "Dinero" with Lopez and DJ Khaled.

Others nominated for multiple VMAs include SZA, Ed Sheeran, Janelle Monae, Khalid, Alessia Cara and Dua Lipa.

Avicii, who died in April, is nominated for best dance and best visual effects for "Lonely Together," which features Rita Ora.

Cardi B wins VMA, Nicki Minaj defends Fifth Harmony member

NEW YORK (AP) — Cardi B, in her well-known silly demeanor, "opened" the 2018 Video Music Awards — not with a performance, but with cute jokes.

The new mom was onstage Monday at New York's Radio City Music Hall pretending to hold a baby, but she then revealed to the audience that it was actually a Moonman, which she won earlier in the night for song of the summer for her No. 1 hit, "I Like It," with Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

The rapper was the top contender of the night with 10 nominations. She gave birth to Kulture Kiari Cephus last month and is up for video of the year with "Finesse," her collaboration with Bruno Mars. The song's video, inspired by the 1990s sketch comedy series "In Living Color," is also nominated for four other honors.

For the top prize, Cardi B and Mars was competing with Childish Gambino's "This Is America," Drake's "God's Plan," Beyonce and Jay-Z's "Apes--t," Camila Cabello's "Havana" and Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left to Cry." (Most of the top nominees — including Drake, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Mars and Gambino — weren't expected the VMAs.)

Nicki Minaj won the first televised award — best hip hop — and checked comedian Tiffany Haddish for dissing girl group Fifth Harmony, now on hiatus.

After congratulating ex-Fifth Harmony Camila Cabello on her five nominations, presenter Haddish said sarcastically, "Hi Fifth Harmony." When Minaj accepted an award moments later, she looked to Haddish and said, "Don't be coming for Fifth Harmony because Normani is that (chick)." Normani currently has her first hit apart from the group with the Khalid-assisted "Love Lies."

Minaj, who has been a trending topic this week after she madly tweeted about why her new album debuted at No. 2 behind Travis Scott, also provided the first bleeped moment of the night when told the audience to listen to her Apple Music radio show this week to hear "who the (expletive) of the day award is going to."

There was a political moment when Logic was joined onstage by young immigrants wearing T-shirts that read, "We are all human beings," to protest the Trump administration's separation of migrant children from their parents after they illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. The rapper, best known for the suicide prevention anthem "1-800-273-8255," wore a T-shirt that read, "(Expletive) the wall."

Shawn Mendes was the night's first performer, and rocked the stage with a performance of "In My Blood." Other performers were to include Ariana Grande, Travis Scott, Minaj, Maluma and Post Malone, who won song of the year for "Rockstar."

"Thank you to my family, thank you to my crew ... This is sick," he said.

Grande won best pop video and thanked her fiance Pete Davidson "for existing."

Jennifer Lopez, who will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement, was also expected to hit the stage. MTV also plans on honoring Aretha Franklin, who died last week from pancreatic cancer at age 76.

As for the top nominees, Beyonce and Jay-Z were behind Cardi B with eight bids for "Apesh--t," filmed at the Louvre museum in Paris. Gambino's "This Is America," which tackles racism and gun violence, earned him seven nominations, while Drake, who gave away $1 million dollars to Miami residents in his "God's Plan" clip, scored seven nods.

Mars, who has six nominations, was up for artist of the year alongside Cardi B, Drake, Post Malone, Cabello and Grande.

Taylor Swift was shut out of the major categories but did nab three nominations for technical awards: Her No. 1 hit, "Look What You Made Me Do," is up for best art direction, best visual effects and best editing.

Cardi B's other nominations include best new artist, best hip-hop video for "Bartier Cardi" and best Latin video for "Dinero" with Lopez and DJ Khaled.

Others nominated for multiple VMAs include SZA, Ed Sheeran, Janelle Monae, Khalid, Alessia Cara and Dua Lipa.

Avicii, who died in April, is nominated for best dance and best visual effects for "Lonely Together," which features Rita Ora.

New mom Cardi B opens MTV VMAs holding bundle

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the MTV Video Music Awards:

9:15 p.m.

Cardi B, the night's leading nominee, new mama and super-hot rapper, opened the MTV Video Music Awards swaddling a precious bundle.

The rapper, who gave birth to daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus just weeks ago, told the crowd Monday night she had a surprise in her arms and pulled back the blanket to reveal a Moon Man trophy.

The rapper had already won an award before the show began, song of the summer for her song "I Like It," with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, and was the leading nominee of the night, up for 10 awards.

She declared as she stood on the stage: "I am the empress. The liberals voted for me," before introducing the show's first performer, Shawn Mendes.

___

8:50 p.m.

Cardi B walked into the MTV VMAs as the night's top nominee and already a winner.

MTV announced on the carpet Monday night about 30 minutes before the awards show that the rapper was the winner of the song of the summer award for "I Like It," with Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

Cardi B wasn't there to accept the award because she was opening the show where she's nominated for 10 awards, including video of the year for "Finesse" with Bruno Mars.

___

8:40 p.m.

Stormy Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, found himself in the thick of the youthful crowd arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards talking politics. More specifically, talking elections.

He told The Associated Press on the pink carpet Monday night that young people will play a "big role" in the 2020 elections. But what about this year's races? Avenatti's on it. He's traveling around the country trying to raise money for democrats. His goal is to hit up 20 states. He's been to four or five so far.

Avenatti has been on a media blitz since taking on the adult film star Daniels as his client in a legal case against President Donald Trump and his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen. Avenatti was vague about whether he'll run for president in 2020. He said whoever runs "better be in store for a cage match."

And the latest with Daniels? Avenatti says "She's doing great. She's in it for the long haul."

___

8 p.m.

Cardi B slayed on the pink carpet in a low-cut body-hugger of a dress by Nicolas Jebran as performers, presenters and nominees arrived for the MTV Video Music Awards.

The draped velvet-fuchsia number worn by the "Bodak Yellow" rapper had a high slit to go with its down-to-there neck. It had one long sleeve and draped detailing at the shoulder on the other side.

Cardi B will open Monday's show and is the night's top nominee just weeks after giving birth to daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus.

She's up for video of the year with "Finesse," her collaboration with Bruno Mars.

___

11 a.m.

Cardi B will make her first public appearance as a mom at the MTV Video Music Awards, and it might be worth it: She could be the night's big winner.

The rapper is the top contender with 10 nominations. She will open Monday's show, which kicks off at 9 p.m. EDT from Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Cardi B and Bruno Mars are up for video of the year with "Finesse." Other nominees for the top prize include Drake, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Childish Gambino, Camila Cabello and Ariana Grande.

Most of the top nominees, including Drake, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Mars and Gambino, won't attend the VMAs.

Performers include Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Shawn Mendes and Grande. Jennifer Lopez will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

MTV also plans on honoring Aretha Franklin, who died last week.

Get the latest news on the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards straight from New York.