Taylor Swift promotes gay rights at MTV VMAs as Missy Elliott takes home Vanguard award

Swift was among the top award-getters at this year's edition of the awards show -- held in Newark, New Jersey -- considered television's wildest night for its eminently meme-able viral moments.

Swift nabbed the coveted award for her track "You Need to Calm Down" on the heels of releasing her new album "Lover," which became the year's top US seller after just two days.

"In this video several points were made," Swift, wearing an oversized rainbow-colored suit jacket, said to applause.

The fact that it won the fan-chosen award shows that "you want a world where we are all treated equally under the law," the 29-year-old said, noting the video ended with a petition in support of the Equality Act, which would prevent discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.

Swift, one of the night's top nominees, also won an award for the top "Video for Good," thanks to her anti-homophobic message -- though when the clip was released, just in time for Pride Month, the star was accused by some critics of using LGBTQ imagery as a marketing technique.

Hip hop iconoclast Missy Elliott meanwhile ignited the crowd with a performance befitting her status as 2019's Video Vanguard Award recipient, the night's top prize. 

After Elliott brought the audience to its feet with a medley of her greatest hits including the classic "Work It," rap queen Cardi B dubbed the 48-year-old rapper a "living legend" in bestowing her the iconic moon man statuette.

"I promised I wouldn't cry; I cry every award," Elliott, wearing a hoodie tracksuit in black leather with gold trim topped with a visor, said before nodding to her storied career: "I've worked diligently for over two decades."

Taylor-Kanye anniversary

A notably absent Ariana Grande, who posted a banner first half of the year, won two awards including Artist of the Year.

Breakout artist Billie Eilish, who couldn't attend because she's on tour in Russia, won the trophy for Best New Artist.

"Videos and visuals have been one of the top priorities in my life," the 17-year-old said in a pre-taped video clip. "It feels really, really good to be recognized for that."

Swift -- donning her signature red lipstick, along with a gold bustier and matching booties paired with a glittering violet hot-pant suit -- had opened the show with a rainbow-colored performance of "You Need to Calm Down" and "Lover," guitar in hand.

Speaking earlier on the red carpet, she had alluded to the infamous moment marking its 10-year anniversary that saw rapper Kanye West crash her attempt to accept an award for female video of the year.

"You never know what can happen on this show, I have learned," she said with a smirk.

Cardi B -- sporting a gladiator-style crimson dress with booty-high slits that showed off her enormous peacock tattoo -- won the award for Best Hip Hop Video, while Spaniard Rosalia and Colombian J Balvin took home the prize for top Latin video for the hit "Con Altura."

"Thank you for allowing me to perform tonight singing in Spanish," Rosalia said to cheers, while J Balvin urged more support to go towards protecting the Amazon rainforest that is currently ablaze.

Overnight star Lil Nas X won the prize for Best Song thanks to his wildly viral "Old Town Road," while Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello won Best Collaboration for "Senorita."

The duo performed a steamy rendition of that hit, which jumped this week to overtake Eilish and Lil Nas X on the top US songs chart.