MTV’s 2020 VMAs felt very different to previous years, and that doesn’t come as a surprise: it’s the first time a major awards event has been broadcast since the coronavirus pandemic ground everything to a halt, and due to ongoing safety measures the performances took place in a variety of locations across New York City. 

That didn’t mean we missed out on plenty of iconic, post-pandemic looks though, or the VMAs’ typically large-scale performances, courtesy of a socially-distanced studio. Most notably (and who’s surprised?) Lady Gaga performed a medley of songs from Chromatica, traversing multiple sets – the giant brain piano being an obvious highlight – and cycling through a variety of looks. Masked up, Ariana Grande also joined the show to perform “Rain On Me”.

That wasn’t the end to Gaga’s VMAs outfit changes either, since nine (9) made an appearance throughout the night. To be fair, she did have to give acceptance speeches for five of the nine awards she was nominated for, winning Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration (with Ariana), Best Cinematography, and the newly-introduced Tricon Award.

Of course, that also gave Gaga the chance to debut a variety of her own masks from a range of rising designers (here’s how to create a similarly bemasked beauty look, fyi) and advocate wearing them to those of us watching at home: “Celebrate yourself. Love who you are. Be kind. Mask up. Be brave.”

Watch the full performance in MTV’s video below.