A Review of the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards

Keke Palmer was the perfect pick to host the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).

It truly seemed like she was speaking directly to an audience and not just a bunch of cameras. She masterfully used comedy in her opening for the VMAs, jokingly stating that maybe the reason she got to host was because she was the only person who was asked that was brave enough to do it.

Palmer referenced 2020 and the hardships that have followed it, but because she was a wonderful host, she quickly changed perspectives on what this year has brought.

Palmer recognized that there are countless heroes who are playing a big role in keeping the rest of safe. Including, but not limited to, those who “drive a delivery truck, work at a grocery store or serve on the front lines at a hospital,” Palmer said.

She believed in her own words and essentially asked that despite how difficult everything has been, that we be grateful there are good people out there enduring much more so that we can have easier lives. The praise for what this year has entailed, however, did not stop there.

Palmer, the first African American woman to host the VMAs solo, expressed her pride in the Black Lives Matter movement and the strides made in a relatively short amount of time.

As host, her job was to make us feel like we were a part of something bigger. Sometimes that’s just as simple as being a fan of the show and helping to make it possible. But with current events as they are, we can be a part of something much bigger.

For those who continue to fight to end systemic racism, Keke Palmer’s words resonated within them and invoked a feeling of pride and determination. Quite early into the show, she exhibited the best quality of a host by making the audience feel like they were a part of something extraordinary.

Due to the peculiar circumstances of this year, Palmer had more screen time than the typical host. Not only did she need to wow the audience, but she needed to keep things interesting as the show progressed.

Alongside the prowess in her words were the outfits she wore throughout the night. She showcased multiple dresses for the show, a bright green bodysuit for her performance of “Snack” (her latest single) and even rocked an outfit for a character she played.

In what was definitely the most unorthodox VMAs ever, Keke Palmer was able to demonstrate her talents in various ways.

From her empowering speech, to her keen sense of fashion and a flashy performance, Palmer never failed to impress the crowd. I thoroughly believe she deserves to host more of everything because she truly wowed me.