Taylor Swift, Missy Elliott stellar performances at VMAs

Taylor Swift opened the VMAs with a performance of her LGBT anthem "You Need To Calm Down" flanked by colorful dancers, then brought it back to her roots by bringing out her guitar to sing the title track of her new album "Lover."

Taylor Swift attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Video Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, August 28, 2019. [Photo: IC]

Cardi B picked up the first televised award of the MTV VMAs for best hip-hop video for "Money."

J Balvin and Rosalia won for best Latin music video for "Con Altura." They both noted how important it was to perform on the MTV VMAs singing in Spanish.

Missy Elliott proved why she was one of the best and innovative rappers of all time with an incredible medley of her most famous songs and music video looks from the black puffy bag dress for "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" to camouflage for "Get Ur Freak On."

The Grammy-winning rapper who made a triumphant return to the VMAs for the first time since 2003, was backed up by a talented group of dancers for songs like "Work It," and "Pass That Dutch" and "Lose Control."

Holding her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, she said she would try to hold back the tears, but the award meant so much to her.

(Story includes material sourced from AP)