In one of the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards’ unequivocal highlights, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande shared a stage — responsibly, of course, with each wearing face masks — and delivered their No. 1 hit “Rain On Me” to the masses on Sunday night (Aug. 30), as the centerpiece of a larger Gaga medley celebrating her Chromatica album.
In a performance that began with Gaga watching the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards on an ancient television, the pop superstar delivered the spectacle and pageantry of VMAs days of yore — first, by pole-dancing around a bunch of mannequins during Chromatica highlight “911,” and later by sitting down at a brain piano (!) for a stripped-down take on “Stupid Love.” She then gave a rousing speech about personal strength and bravery, before giving “Stupid Love” the electro-pop showcase it dearly deserved.
But before that, Gaga was joined by Grande for what can only be described as a sing-off, dueling melismas closing out their “Rain On Me” duet as their shared dancers didn’t miss a step around them. Gaga eventually collapsed back on her couch as the medley concluded — but she’ll have to get back up in case “Rain On Me” wins the video of the year award.
Watch Gaga’s full performance below:
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