Face masks are a crucial weapon in the fight against the spread of coronavirus. But if you’re Lady Gaga, they’re also a weapon in the fight against being boring.
You didn’t think Mother Monster was going to come to the MTV Video Music Awards to serve you a plain square of fabric, did you?
No, Ms Stefani Germanotta came prepared. She stepped out onto the VMAs’ distanced drive-in stage to accept Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year and Song of the Year for “Rain On Me” with Ariana Grande, and the first-ever Tricon Award, whatever that was. And she had a fresh and wildly extra outfit each time, and an extra mask to match.
“You merely adopted the pink. I was born in it, molded by it.”
Image: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV
HORNS UP!
Image: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV
This whole outfit is made from offcuts from Miley’s disco wrecking ball. Sustainable!
Image: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV
She also performed a pre-recorded medley of Chromatica highlights wearing a mask that had an LED pig snout thing going on, which, sure?
“There can be 100 people in a room, but there absolutely should not be right now. There’s a PANDEMIC.”
Image: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV
WHO ELSE COULD? NOBODY!
Image: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV
I’d rather not have to wear a mask to the grocery store, but at least I’m alive!
Image: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV
For the “Rain On Me” portion of the medley, Ariana Grande didn’t quite match the dress code, in a black mask that had a little shimmer and seemed easy enough to sing through. But look, it’s hard not to look a little basic next to Gaga.
Plain on me.
Image: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV
All their dancers also wore masks, and they seemed to be getting plenty of oxygen. Just saying.
If Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande can deliver THESE live vocals through full futuristic headgear you can survive wearing a cloth mask to go to the store Karen. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/A0nctB6eZQ
— Joey Nolfi (@joeynolfi) August 31, 2020
“I wanna share this award with everybody at home tonight,” Gaga said when accepting her Tricon Award. “I wish for you to think of three things right now that define who you are, and take a moment to reward yourself for your bravery. This has not been an easy year for a lot of people right now, but what I see right now is a triumph of courage.”
Yes, this is the same mask as the other silver outfit. She’s HUMAN, OK?
Image: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV
“I love you, stay safe, and I might sound like a broken record, but wear a mask,” she said in closing. “It’s a sign of respect.”