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2019 MTV Video Music Awards nominations are here…and very queer! Lil Nas X, Lady Gaga, Halsey, Panic! at the Disco, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and more land big in major categories
Today, MTV announced the nominees for the 2019 Video Music Awards (VMAs), including several nods to LGBTQ artists and supporters of the community. Allies Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande lead the nominations with 10 each, while out rapper and phenomenon Lil Nas X follows closely behind with 8 total nominations.
In the Video of the Year category, Taylor Swift is nominated for her uplifting LGBTQ anthem “You Need to Calm Down,” which features several out LGBTQ celebs including Ellen DeGeneres, Laverne Cox, Adam Rippon, Hayley Kiyoko, the cast of Queer Eye and many more. Swift’s most recent hit also makes a notable shoutout to GLAAD: “Why are you mad?/When you could be GLAAD?”
did @taylorswift13 just — pic.twitter.com/MkfkkBComN
— GLAAD (@glaad) June 14, 2019
At the beginning of June, Swift made a very generous donation to GLAAD’s ongoing work to help accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community.
In this category, Swift will face off against Lil Nas X’s video for the record-breaking “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. Ariana Grande’s video for her smash hit “thank u, next” is also nominated for Video of the Year.
In the Song of the Year category, out bisexual megastar Lady Gaga picked up a nomination for hit single “Shallow” with A Star is Born co-star Bradley Cooper. Gaga will face off against Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down,” and Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next.”
In contention for Artist of the Year at this year’s VMAs includes out bisexual singer-songwriter Halsey and LGBTQ ally Ariana Grande.
In the Best New Artist category, ally and rap sensation Lizzo picked up a nomination, in addition to her nomination for Push Artist of the Year. Lil Nas X also scored a nomination in the Best New Artist category.
Another inclusive set of nominations is on display in the Best Collaboration category, where Lil Nas X and Lady Gaga both picked up nominations. Taylor Swift & Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco also scored a nomination in this category for their hit collab, “ME!”.
In the category for Best Hip Hop, Lil Nas X achieved an incredible feat as the only LGBTQ artist to be nominated in the category for “Old Town Road.”
In the inaugural category for “Video for Good,” Halsey scored a nomination for the video for her hit “Nightmare,” which showcases feminist imagery that challenges gender stereotypes and norms. Taylor Swift was also nominated in this category for her “You Need to Calm Down” video, which, in addition to its LGBTQ-inclusive cast, showcases several symbols of the LGBTQ community and calls out anti-LGBTQ haters.
The Best Latin category features a nomination for LGBTQ ally Bad Bunny and his video for “MIA” featuring Drake. Bad Bunny recently joined Ricky Martin and other activists in protests in Puerto Rico calling for the resignation of Govenor Ricardo Rosselló after homophobic, sexist, and cruel messages from Rosselló were leaked to the public.
For a full list of nominees and to start voting for your favorites, visit www.mtv.com/vma/vote/.
The 2019 VMAs, hosted by Sebastian Maniscalco, will air live from the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Monday, Aug. 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
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