The MTV VMAs Red Carpet Looks That Shocked and Amazed Us

The MTV Video Music Awards may have gone on last year but it's 100% back in 2021, folks—and that includes the red carpet. The VMAs red carpet has long been known as one of the boldest and most experimental of the year (Lady Gaga's meat dress in 2010 pretty much solidified that), so jaw-dropping looks are to be expected. This year, the big show is back at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and anticipation is high.

Appearances by Camila Cabello, Chlöe, Doja Cat, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X, Machine Gun Kelly, Shawn Mendes, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, and Simone Biles (just to name a few) are expected and the anticipation is high. The red carpet may not be as jam-packed as in previous years, but the memorable fashion is hardly in short supply. Check out our favourites below.

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631488165510-image

(Image credit: Rob Kim/FilmMagic)

WHO: Olivia Rodrigo

WEAR: Versace dress

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631502370655-image

(Image credit: Noam Galai/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

WHO: Jennifer Lopez

WEAR: David Koma outfit; Femme shoes; YEPREM and Kavant & Sharart jewelry

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631487102601-image

(Image credit: Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage)

WHO: Doja Cat

WEAR: Vivienne Westwood dress

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631487537383-image

(Image credit: Rob Kim/FilmMagic)

WHO: Camila Cabello

WEAR: Alexis Mabille dress; KATKIM earrings

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631487101181-image

(Image credit: Jeff Kravitz/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

WHO: Kacey Musgraves

WEAR: Valentino Couture dress, hat, and gloves; Schutz shoes

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631487097891-image

(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)

WHO: Lil Nas X

WEAR: Versace outfit

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631490850183-image

(Image credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

WHO: Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian

WEAR: Thom Browne suit; Olivier Theyskens dress

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631489142615-image

(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)

WHO: Normani

WEAR: Patrycja Pagas outfit

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631490303604-image

(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)

WHO: Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly

WEAR: Mugler dress (on Megan Fox); Dolce & Gabbana suit; Christian Louboutin shoes (on Machine Gun Kelly)

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631491448917-image

(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)

WHO: Ciara

WEAR: Tom Ford dress

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631487525887-image

(Image credit: Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage)

WHO: Madison Beer

WEAR: Dolce & Gabbana dress; Wolford tights; Gianvito Rossi shoes; KATKIM ring; Mimi So earrings

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631488167087-image

(Image credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

WHO: Bia

WEAR: Bottega Veneta dress, bag, and shoes

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631487099763-image

(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)

WHO: Shawn Mendes

WEAR: Mans suit; Judy Turner Liza tank top

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631489141162-image

(Image credit: Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage)

WHO: Leslie Grace

WEAR: Oscar de la Renta dress

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631489144016-image

(Image credit: Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage)

WHO: Avril Lavigne

WEAR: Area outfit

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631492051454-image

(Image credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

WHO: Alicia Keys

Wear: Louis Vuitton outfit

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631491446603-image

(Image credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

WHO: Billy Porter

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631492308012-image

(Image credit: Rob Kim/FilmMagic)

WHO: Dixie and Charlie D'Amelio

WEAR: Aliétte dress (on Dixie D'Amelio)

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631491445287-image

(Image credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

WHO: Billie Eilish

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631497650304-image

(Image credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

WHO: Simone Biles

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631489139440-image

(Image credit: Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage)

WHO: Paris Hilton

WEAR: The Blonds dress

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631490018820-image

(Image credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

WHO: Halle Bailey

WEAR: Mônot dress

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631490020148-image

(Image credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

WHO: Chloe Bailey

WEAR: Marni dress

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631490767581-image

(Image credit: Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage)

WHO: Anitta

WEAR: Miss Sohee dress; Wempe jewelry

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631491448034-image

(Image credit: Jeff Kravitz/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

WHO: Winnie Harlow

WEAR: LaQuan Smith outfit; Christian Louboutin shoes; Messika jewelry

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631491449681-image

(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)

WHO: Rita Ora

WEAR: Vera Wang outfit

mtv-vma-red-carpet-2021-295172-1631497651053-image

(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)

WHO: Shay Mitchell

Next: 15 Photos That Prove the VMAs Were Wild in the '00s

Opening Images: Rob Kim/FilmMagic

Explore More:
Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.