Fans were upset to see the nominees in one of the MTV Video Music Awards’ new categories: Most Iconic Performance.
This new category will recognize one of five nominees who participated in legendary VMA performances between 1984 and 2013.
However, VMAs fans were upset to see Britney Spears’ memorable 2001 performance of “I’m a Slave 4 U” left out.
“I think it’s a joke that Britney Spears isn’t here as a standalone nominee. Britney is THE queen of VMA performance, she literally performed with a live snake,” wrote one X user.
Other highly-talked-about nominees in this category include Eminem, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift.
Several X users were upset to discover that Britney Spears’ performance of ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ was not nominated for the VMAs this year
Spears’ performance at the 2001 VMAs made headlines after she performed with an albino Burmese python around her shoulders.
Britney Spears’ performance of “I’m a Slave 4 U” at the 2001 VMAs was truly iconic. With a live python and a cage, she made a bold statement that sparked discussion. tweeted an X user.
“Spears saw it as a way to overcome fear and leave a mark on pop culture. It showcased her talent and the creative expression of the time.”
Although Spears’ 2001 performance was left out of the category, she, Madonna, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliot were all nominated in the 2003 categories for “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood.”
The performance received a lot of media attention due to Spears and Madonna kissing on stage.
“Anyone who says anything different than Britney Spears, Madonna, Xtina and Missy’s performance is either trolling or 12 years old,” said one User X joked.
Spears, along with Madonna, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliot, were nominated for their 2003 performances of “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood.”
Several TikTok users have been supporting Gaga and Beyoncé, who were nominated for their performances in 2009 and 2011 respectively.
Gaga began her 2009 ‘Paparazzi’ performance lying on the floor and ended it hanging in the air.
She was also surrounded by dancers and playing the piano before stage blood dripped from her ribcage and stained her face.
‘Oscar winner Lady Gaga knew exactly what she was doing’ wrote a user X.
Beyoncé’s 2011 performance in ‘Love on Top’ was much more stripped down, consisting primarily of her and a small group of background dancers.
However, she dropped the microphone, opened her jacket and announced her first pregnancy just as the song ended.
As Beyoncé cuddled her baby with a huge smile on her face, the camera caught Jay Z and Kanye West celebrating in the audience.
Madonna was also nominated for her 1984 performance of ‘Like a Virgin’ and was the only singer to be nominated twice.
“It’s a done deal if Madonna doesn’t win, she’s by far the most iconic of them all,” said one X user. tweeted.
Most X users have been rooting for Beyoncé or Lady Gaga to win this year’s award.
Taylor Swift received a nomination for her performance of ‘You Belong With Me’ at the 2009 VMAs
Swift’s head-to-head performance of “You Belong With Me” outside Radio City Music Hall was highly publicized, largely because of the actions that occurred shortly before she performed.
One of the highlights of the 2009 VMAs was West interrupting Swift as she accepted the award for Best Female Video.
‘This performance was overshadowed by that incident but I’m glad she’s now nominated for Most Iconic VMA Performance,’ wrote one X user. this afternoon.
Several social media users assumed she would be the winner of this category, while others are still not convinced.
Perry’s 2013 performance of “Roa” apparently surprised X users compared to the other musicians nominated for the award.
However, the nominee that many X users were not happy to see was Eminem, the only male artist in the category.
X users criticized Eminem for being nominated for this award. He is the only male artist to be in this category
Eminem was nominated for his popular performances of “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am” at the 2000 VMAs.
Eminem was nominated for his memorable performances of ‘The Real Slim Shady’ and ‘The Way I Am’ at the 2000 VMAs.
While performing, “Eminem clones” followed the rapper to Radio City Music Hall and walked the aisles as he walked onstage.
Audience members were dancing and seemed impressed, but X-rated users have shown disdain toward the performance since MTV announced the category.
“I’d be happy for everyone if any of them won except Eminem,” one user wrote.
Other X users suggested that he or other nominees be replaced by artists like Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande.