Entertainment
2014 VMAs vs. 2013 VMAs Show What a Difference a Year Makes
The VMAs really show you how much can change in a year. Some of the biggest stars of this year's MTV VMAs, like Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea, were barely a presence at last year's ceremonies. Then there are a few artists who made a splash in 2013, and are barely a blip on 2014's radar. Here, a quick look back.
2013 Ariana Grande
It’s hard to remember a time before Ariana Grande’s super-stardom, but, if you recall last year’s VMAs, Grande didn’t even make it inside the ceremony. She performed two songs outside on the red carpet, “Baby I” and “The Way.” And also, wore something that made her seem more suited for the ice rink than the VMAs.
2014 Ariana Grande
This year, not only is she performing inside, she’s also up for four awards: Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, Best Collaboration, and Best Lyric Video.Whether Fifth Harmony will have the same luck for 2015’s VMAs remains to be seen.
2013 Iggy Azalea
Unlike Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea didn’t even perform at the 2013 VMAs. She was there, though. But does anyone remember her? In one of the least memorable moments in VMA history, she presented the award for Best Hip-Hop Video with Li’l Kim.
2014 Iggy Azalea
This year, she’s one of the stars of the show, performing “Black Widow” with Rita Ora. Her “Fancy” is also up for Video of the Year, Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Best Art Direction.
2013 Robin Thicke
Of course, the swinging pendulum of fame goes both ways. Last year, Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” was inescapable, and his performance with Miley Cyrus was the talk of the VMAs.
2014 Robin Thicke
This year, Thicke is totally absent from the VMAs. He won’t be performing any songs from his new album, Paula. Miley, his VMA co-star, is there, but he’s hung up his striped Beetlejuice suit.
2013 Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran was at the 2013 VMAs, as a nominee for Best Male Video for “Lego House.” He also presented the award for Best Video with a Social Message to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for “Same Love.”
2014 Ed Sheeran
Sheeran’s nominated in the same category this year, for the song “Sing.” (And he won, too!) But doesn’t he seem like a completely different artist this time around? It’s definitely the influence of Pharrell Williams, but Sheeran’s gone from the sad-sack acoustic artist behind “The A-Team” to semi-funky quasi-rapper.
2013 Austin Mahone
Last year, Austin Mahone was outside on the red carpet with Ariana Grande, performing “What About Love” outside during the pre-show. He did make it inside too, to snag the award for Artist to Watch.
2014 Austin Mahone
Mahone’s fellow Artist to Watch nominee? Iggy Azalea. Doesn’t it seem like Iggy and Ariana have gone so much further in a year than Austin Mahone? He was only nominated for Best Lyric Video, which he already lost to 5 Seconds of Summer, and he won’t be performing or presenting. Meanwhile, the ladies are all over the VMAs. Maybe next year, Austin.
