The MTV Movie & TV Awards aired live on Sunday night, to recognize the best productions for the big and small screen of last year. The ceremony was held at Shrine Auditorium in LA, hosted by Adam DeVine.
After 25 years, the MTV Movie Awards got a makeover and this year they added TV series to their nominees’ catalog. The show also went back to being aired live, after the pre-taped transmission from last year.
The updated version of the annual ceremony introduced many new categories, such as best host, best reality competition, best next generation, best musical moment, and the first gender neutrality category
As usual, the show had some memorable moments, including Adam DeVine’s opening number, the ‘Fast and Furious’ cast paying homage to their late co-star, Paul Walker, the premiere of trailers of different upcoming movies, and more. Check below a list of the best moments from the show.
Adam DeVine’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ opening number
The comedy actor gave it all as host of the soiree, especially on the entrance, in which he paid a tribute to ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ A pre-taped video of DeVine dressing as the prince was shown onscreen, moments before appearing onstage as the beast.
He then proceeded to sing the main song from ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ changing the lyrics a little bit to explain that now the show is also recognizing TV shows. He also sang to the tune of “Be Our Guest” right before calling Josh Gad – who plays LeFou in the live-action reboot of the movie – to perform the tune “Gaston,” but changing it to “Logan,” in honor of Hugh Jackman’s most recent Marvel film, who smiled from the audience.
Rebel Wilson, who co-starred ‘Pitch Perfect’ with DeVine, also went onstage dressed as Mrs. Potts along with another ‘Pitch Perfect’ co-star, Hailee Steinfeld, dressed as Belle and danced with DeVine.
During the performance, the stage caught fire, nothing serious, obviously. DeVine went on with the show, preparing for his grand finale. “James Corden would do it!” he joked.
Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome’s win Best Kiss for their ‘Moonlight’ performance
‘Moonlight’s’ Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome received the award for Best Kiss. The Oscar winner for best picture is a coming-of-age drama about Chiron and the different phases he goes through while understanding and struggling with his sexuality.
“This award is bigger than Jharrel and I. This represents more than a kiss, it represents those who feel like the others, the misfits, this represents us,” Sanders said during his acceptance speech.
Jerome, who plays Chiron’s love interest during his adolescence, expressed about how important it is that the award went to a kiss between two gay men. “I think it is safe to say that it is OK for us young performers, especially us minority performers, to step out of the box,” he said.
Asia Kate Dillon presents first gender-neutral category
Gender-neutral nonbinary actress Asia Kate Dillon, known for her roles on ‘Orange Is The New Black’ and ‘Billions’, presented for the first time in the show a gender-neutral acting award. The nominees included both male and female performers, including Emma Watson, who won for her role as Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’
MTV, VH1 and Logo manager Amy Doyle said the award was inspired by the MTV audience “uniformly rejecting obsolete labels and embracing fluidity.”
‘Fast and Furious’ cast wins Generation Award
‘Fast and Furious’ saga stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster and Tyrese Gibson received the MTV Generation Award. This is the first time this award goes to a film franchise instead of an individual actor.
Diesel went onstage with the rest of the cast to accept the award, and paid homage to his longtime friend and late ‘Fast and Furious’ co-star, saying “In 2002, I was standing on this stage and MTV gave me and Paul Walker an award for best duo and now 15 years later I’m here and you’re giving us a Generation Award.” He thanked the generation the award and for accepting his “multicultural franchise,” and ended his acceptance speech recalling Walker: “Thanks, Pablo, we hope you’re proud.”
Millie Bobby Brown’s emotional acceptance speech
‘Stranger Things’ star Millie Bobby Brown received the award for Best Actor in a Show, but the 13-year-old star could barely hold her tears while thanking the cast, crew, and management. The actress won the award for her role as Jane “Eleven” Ives in the Netflix hit, and she even had to pause during her acceptance speech to keep her composure.