Of Course, Lady Gaga Single-handedly Saved the VMAS

Photo: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV

Things were looking a little bleak for this year’s VMAs. I mean, it’s the show that featured this iconic Beyoncé performance, the Britney-Madonna-Christina kiss, and the Kanye West–Taylor Swift moment that kicked off a decade-long feud. And yet, it seemed like this year’s show might fall by the wayside — how could it possibly thrive with an all-virtual audience, and an opening number featuring the Weeknd on a Hudson Yards rooftop?

The answer is, of course, Lady Gaga, who brought the same kind of energy to this year’s VMAs that she did in 2010, when she wore a dress made entirely of meat.

Gaga wasn’t taking this year’s virtual spectacle any less seriously. While hardly any celebs showed up this year — even Taylor Zoom-ed in to accept an award — Gaga arrived with a closet full of couture, half a dozen spectacular face masks, and enough energy to make up for a CGI audience:

For her first look — and the moment we knew the VMAs were saved — Gaga wears Iris Van Herpen couture, accessorized with an incredible Cecilio Castrillo face mask. Photo: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV

Gaga’s second look was a mint Christopher John Rogers gown, with a tusked mask designed by Lance V. Moore (@lance.v.moore). Photo: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV

For her performance, Gaga wore a custom “sound reactive mask” by Diego Montoya, a collaboration with Smooth Technology (responsible for the Billy Porter’s electronic Grammys hat) and Isly NYC. Photo: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV

Gaga does Moonman cosplay in a look designed by Area, accessorized with a protective face shield (’headpiece’) designed by conradbyconrad (@conradbyconrad). Photo: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV

For her penultimate look, Gaga wears Valentino couture and a mask by MaisonMet. Photo: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV

For her final look, Gaga wore a Candice Cuoco jacket over a Valentino bodysuit. Her mask is MaisonMet, and her face armor is again by Lance V. Moore (@lance.v.moore). Photo: Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV

Not only did she have it in her to change outfits eight times, she gave an incredible, fully masked performance featuring music from Chromatica, at one point playing on a brain-shaped piano. Excuse me while I order the Chromatica thong.