Mariah Carey, a longtime MTV favorite who had never previously won a VMA, finally received the Video Vanguard Award. Video of the Year went to Ariana Grande for the 26-minute short film “Brighter Days Ahead”.
Mariah Carey became only the fifth artist or group in history to simultaneously occupy the top two positions on the US singles chart. “We Belong Together” had been at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for ten consecutive weeks, while “Shake It Off” moved to number two.
The News of the World reported that Mariah Carey had hired private investigator Jack Palladino to monitor her former husband, Tommy Mottola. Palladino said Carey believed that Mottola was conducting a smear campaign against her.