The 20 Most Controversial VMAs Looks That Caused a Stir, From Lady Gaga’s Meat Dress to Miley Cyrus’s Barely-There Outfits
The 20 Most Controversial VMAs Looks That Caused a Stir, From Lady Gaga’s Meat Dress to Miley Cyrus’s Barely-There Outfits
Amanda LeSun, September 27, 2026 at 2:36 AM UTC
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The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) will air on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
The awards show has long been known for its daring, anything-goes approach to red carpet dressing.
InStyle looks back at the 20 most controversial VMAs fashion moments of all time.
“Miley, what’s good?” If Nicki Minaj’s infamous call-out to Miley Cyrus at the 2015 VMAs doesn’t send chills down your spine, we don’t know what will. Or how about in 2003, when It girls Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina all locked lips mid-performance? Ah yes, it’s the MTV Video Music Awards. Since debuting in 1984, the awards show has become known for a little bit of chaos, iconic musical performances, and, of course, an unforgettable red carpet. Stars have never been afraid to take risks at the VMAs (it’s MTV, c’mon!), and sometimes, the more outrageous the moment, the better.
While today’s red carpets often favor glamorous designer gowns and carefully curated statement pieces, VMAs history has a little bit of everything. From Lil’ Kim’s scandalous ‘90s ensemble and Lady Gaga’s stomach-turning raw-meat dress to The Weeknd showing up with a faux bruised and bloodied face as part of his After Hours era, these are the looks that make you wonder, “Is this allowed?” And that’s exactly the fun of the VMAs. There’s no prim and proper dress code here—just fashion at its most entertaining.
Ahead, discover the 20 most controversial VMAs looks throughout the years.
01 of 20
Drew Barrymore (1995)
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Drew Barrymore was giving major witchy vibes at the 1995 VMAs in a fitted black cocktail dress, flared hem, sheer wing-like details. Flowers tucked into her hair softened the look, while vampy makeup took the gothic energy to the next level.
02 of 20
Busta Rhymes (1997)
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Busta Rhymes took matters into his own hands for the 1997 VMAs, stepping out in a head-to-toe red look of his own design. Between the rich texture, bold pattern, and unique proportions, there was no chance of blending into the crowd.
03 of 20
Marilyn Manson and Rose McGowan (1998)
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Marilyn Manson and Rose McGowan made quite the entrance at the 1998 VMAs. McGowan went nearly nude in a black-beaded Maja Hanson chainmail dress, while Manson matched the shock factor in a custom fur-trimmed leopard-print suit, tinted sunglasses, and towering platform shoes.
04 of 20
Tommy Lee & Pamela Anderson (1999)
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Couples on the VMAs carpet have always known how to make a statement. In 1999, Pamela Anderson paired a white corset with sparkling sequined pants and an enormous fluffy pink hat, while Tommy Lee went comparatively simple in an open trench coat and bucket hat.
05 of 20
Lil’ Kim (1999)
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Lil’ Kim took barely-there dressing to a whole new level at the 1999 VMAs in a purple one-shoulder jumpsuit that left one breast exposed beneath a sequined pastie. The look, designed by Misa Hylton, instantly became one of the most recognizable outfits in VMAs history.
06 of 20
Pink (2000)
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Pink certainly lived up to her name at the 2000 VMAs, spiking her hot-pink hair straight into the air. She let her mane do the talking, pairing it with a plunging gold top, a fur-trimmed jacket, and embellished dark-denim—because subtlety was clearly not on the agenda.
07 of 20
Britney Spears (2002)
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Brittany Spears was giving bad cop at the 2002 VMAs in a head-to-toe leather look that was equal parts tough and sultry. Complete with a leather cap, fingerless gloves, and knee-high boots, the pop star definitely wasn’t playing by the rules.
08 of 20
Kelly Osbourne and Avril Lavigne (2003)
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Teenage angst was live and well in 2003, thanks to Kelly Osborne and Avril Lavigne. The duo leaned all the way into the era’s punk-rock aesthetic, serving the kind of rebellious, perfectly undone style that practically defined the early aughts.
09 of 20
Lady Gaga (2010)
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Lady Gaga took “fresh of the runway” a little too literally in 2010. The “Poker Face” singer arrived in a dress made from raw meat, complete with matching meat-covered shoes, a purse, and a head piece—because the dress alone wasn’t enough to get people talking.
10 of 20
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Nicki Minaj (2011)
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There’s a lot to unpack with Nicki Minaj’s 2011 look—and that was exactly the point. The rapper went full Harajuku fantasy in an Amato Couture metal tutu, adding a Shojono Tomo face mask and a dizzying mix of colorful accessories for a look you couldn’t stop staring at.
11 of 20
Justin Bieber (2011)
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Justin Bieber took a page out of Britney Spear’s playbook at the 2011 VMAs, hitting the carpet with a live snake in hand. Because at this show, apparently even your plus-one can be a snake.
12 of 20
Riff Raff & Katy Perry (2014)
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Riff Raff and Katy Perry understood the assignment at the 2014 VMAs, arriving in matching head-to-toe denim by Versace. The coordinated moment was a cheeky homage to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s unforgettable denim-on-denim date-night look from the 2001 American Music Awards.
13 of 20
Miley Cyrus (2015)
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As host of the 2015 VMAs, Miley Cyrus made sure her arrival set the tone for the night. She stepped out in a barely-there silver Atelier Versace look featuring crystal embellishments and metallic suspenders. Then, proceeded to change into one wild outfit after another throughout the show.
14 of 20
Amber Rose (2018)
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Amber Rose turned up the heat in a red latex catsuit with major dominatrix energy. Between the skin-tight silhouette, fiery hue, and matching whip, the look was practically designed to get people talking.
15 of 20
Madonna (2018)
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Madonna piled on the accessories in 2018, pairing a colorful, floor-sweeping tunic with layers of heavy silver jewelry and North African-inspired adornments. Jeweled red pumps and fishnet tights completed the eclectic look, which she wore while presenting Video of the Year and paying tribute to Aretha Franklin.
16 of 20
The Weeknd (2020)
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The Weeknd brought his After Hours alter ego straight to the 2020 VMAs in a bright red blazer, black shirt and trousers, leather gloves, and black-and-white dress shoes. But the real double-take came courtesy of his special-effects makeup: a bloodied nose, bruises, and a cut lip that continued the storyline from his music videos.
17 of 20
Kim Petras (2021)
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Kim Petras took Sunday best in a decidedly NSFW direction at the 2021 VMAs. The singer layered a dramatic floral Richard Quinn dress over a head-to-toe black Vex Latex bodysuit, complete with a matching face-covering mask.
18 of 20
Doechii (2023)
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Doechii took naked dressing to a whole new level in a barely-there, crystal studded Dsquared2 gown. Fuzzy arm warmers and a red trucker hat made the already daring look even more unexpected.
19 of 20
Lil Nas X (2024)
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Lil Nas X looked ready to morph into action at the 2024 VMAs in a pink-and-white motorcycle look that gave major superhero energy.
20 of 20
Conan Gray (2025)
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Conan Gray went full sailor mode last year in an elaborate nautical-inspired gown by Erik Charlotte. Towering white platform boots and a feather trimmed navy sailor cap (a nod to his album Wishbone) made sure the theme sailed all the way home.
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