BTS, Doja Cat, J Balvin to Perform on MTV’s VMAs

BTS, Doja Cat and J Balvin will perform at MTV’s 2020 Video Music Awards, airing live on Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. The show will feature BTS’ first VMA performance and the TV debut of the group’s new English single, “Dynamite,” set for release on Aug. 21.

Last year, the South Korean boy band (RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook) made VMAs history as the winner of a new best K-pop category for their single “Boy With Luv.” Their newest single “ON” has been nominated for three categories this year — for best choreography, best pop video and best K-pop.

More from Variety

MTV also announced Doja Cat and J Balvin among the first round of performers. Doja Cat has scored three nominations — song of the year, PUSH best new artist and best direction — for her single “Say So,.” J Balvin has four nominations, three of which are in the best Latin video category, along with one for best collaboration. Additional sets will be revealed shortly.

Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga lead this year’s nominations, nabbing nine categories each, followed by Billie Eilish and the Weeknd with six nominations. All four artists have been nominated for video of the year, the program’s most coveted category.

MTV announced this year’s nominations via Twitter’s voice note, the first awards show to use the feature. Two new quarantine-themed categories have also been introduced: best music video from home and best quarantine performance. Fans can now vote for the winners in 15 categories on MTV’s website through Aug. 23, while voting for PUSH best new artist will continue until the awards ceremony on Aug. 30.

The VMAs will be the first event to take place at Barclays Center since the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City. The “stage,” as the promo below boasts, will be throughout the city, due to pandemic conditions mandating an audience-free event that frees the show from being tied to a fixed location.

The 2020 VMAs is executive produced by Bruce Gillmer, Barbara Bialkowski and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as executives in charge of production. Lisa Lauricella is executive in charge of music talent, and Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.