Awards show introduces new categories ‘Best K-POP’ and ‘Video For Good,’ and becomes the first to reveal nominations via Facebook Messenger and Twitter DMs

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MTV today unveiled the nominations for the 2019 “VMAs,” which includes dozens of artists whose reach and influence have elevated the music industry and global cultural conversation. Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift lead the nominations with 10 nods each in categories including, “Video of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Best Pop.” Other top contenders include first-time VMA nominees Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X who both entered the category of “Best New Artist,” presented by Taco Bell®. This year’s show will introduce two new categories, “Best K-Pop” and “Video for Good.”

In a first for a major awards show, MTV revealed nominations today via the “VMA chatbot,” giving fans a sneak peek at the nominees by sending a DM (direct message) to @VMAs on Facebook Messenger and Twitter.

“It’s been an incredible year in music and this group of nominees perfectly reflect the rich pop music landscape,” said Bruce Gillmer, Head of Music and Music Talent, Viacom and Co-Brand Head, MTV International. “We can’t wait to see the outcome, once the fans weigh in. It’s going to be an awesome, unforgettable evening!”

Beginning today, fans can vote for their favorites across 14 gender-neutral VMA categories, including “Video of the Year,” “Artist of the Year,” “Best Collaboration” and more by visiting vma.mtv.com until Thursday, August 15. Voting for the “Best New Artist” award, presented by Taco Bell®, will remain active until the VMA broadcast. Fans on Twitter and Facebook Messenger can also slide into VMAs’ DMs to cast an additional vote for “Video of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and more. Also launching this week, fans will be able to ask Alexa to “vote for the VMAs” for “Artist of the Year” within the MTV skill on Alexa-enabled devices.

This year, for the first time ever, MTV is rewarding fans for voting through VMA Power Hour on vma.mtv.com, where their votes are doubled from 1-2pm ET daily. Superfans can come back each day within this voting window beginning tomorrow to show double the love for their favorite artists.

COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES

VIDEO OF THE YEAR 21 Savage ft. J. Cole – “a lot” – Epic Records Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR Cardi B – Atlantic Records Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records Ariana Grande – Republic Records Halsey – Astralwerks/Capitol Records Jonas Brothers – Republic Records Shawn Mendes – Island Records

SONG OF THE YEAR Drake – “In My Feelings” – Young Money/Cash Money/Republic Records Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – “Shallow” – Interscope Records Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST, presented by Taco Bell® Ava Max – Atlantic Records Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records H.E.R. – MBK/RCA Records Lil Nas X – Columbia Records Lizzo – Atlantic Records ROSALÍA – Columbia Records

BEST COLLABORATION Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – “Shallow” – Interscope Records Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber – “I Don’t Care” – Atlantic Records BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records

PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR Bazzi – Atlantic Records CNCO – RCA Records Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope Records H.E.R. – MBK/RCA Records Lauv – LAUV/AWAL Lizzo – Atlantic Records

BEST POP 5 Seconds of Summer – “Easier” – Interscope Records Cardi B & Bruno Mars – “Please Me” – Atlantic Records Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records Khalid – “Talk” – Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records Ariana Grande – “thank u, next” – Republic Records Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Republic Records Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

BEST HIP HOP 2 Chainz ft. Ariana Grande – “Rule the World” – 2 Chainz Ps/Def Jam 21 Savage ft. J. Cole – “a lot” – Epic Records Cardi B – “Money” – Atlantic Records DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend – “Higher” – We The Best/Epic Records Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records Travis Scott ft. Drake – “SICKO MODE” – Epic Records/Grand Hustle/Cactus Jack

BEST R&B Anderson .Paak ft. Smokey Robinson – “Make It Better” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music Childish Gambino – “Feels Like Summer” – RCA Records H.E.R. ft. Bryson Tiller – “Could’ve Been” – MBK/RCA Records Alicia Keys – “Raise A Man” – RCA Records Ella Mai – “Trip” – 10 Summers/Interscope Records Normani ft. 6lack – “Waves” – Keep Cool/RCA Records

BEST K-POP BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records BLACKPINK – “Kill This Love” – YG Entertainment/Interscope Records Monsta X ft. French Montana – “Who Do You Love” – Epic Records TOMORROW X TOGETHER – “Cat & Dog” – Republic Records NCT 127 – “Regular” – SM Entertainment EXO – “Tempo” – SM Entertainment

BEST LATIN Anuel AA, Karol G – “Secreto” – Universal Music Latino Bad Bunny ft. Drake – “MIA” – OVO Sound/Warner Bros. Records benny blanco, Tainy, Selena Gomez, J Balvin – “I Can’t Get Enough” – NEON16/Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope Records Daddy Yankee ft. Snow – “Con Calma” – Universal Music Latin Entertainment Maluma – “Mala Mía” – Sony Music US Latin ROSALÍA & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura” – Columbia Records

BEST DANCE The Chainsmokers ft. Bebe Rexha – “Call You Mine” – Disruptor/Columbia Records Clean Bandit ft. Demi Lovato – “Solo” – Big Beat/Atlantic Records DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B – “Taki Taki” – DJ Snake Music Productions Ltd/Geffen David Guetta, Bebe Rexha & J Balvin – “Say My Name” – Big Beat/Atlantic Records Marshmello & Bastille – “Happier” – Capitol Records Silk City & Dua Lipa – “Electricity” – Columbia Records

BEST ROCK The 1975 – “Love It If We Made It” – Dirty Hit/Interscope Records Fall Out Boy – “Bishops Knife Trick” – Island Records Imagine Dragons – “Natural” – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records Lenny Kravitz – “Low” – BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. Panic! At The Disco – “High Hopes” – Elektra Music Group twenty one pilots – “My Blood” – Elektra Music Group

VIDEO FOR GOOD Halsey – “Nightmare” – Astralwerks/Capitol Records The Killers – “Land of the Free” – Island Jamie N Commons, Skylar Grey ft. Gallant – “Runaway Train” – Interscope Records John Legend – “Preach” – Columbia Records Lil Dicky – “Earth” – Dirty Burd, Inc./Commission/BMG Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records

BEST DIRECTION Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Directed by Dave Meyers FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Directed by Andrew Thomas Huang Ariana Grande – “thank you, next” – Republic Records – Directed by Hannah Lux Davis Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records – Directed by Calmatic LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Directed by Dano Cerny Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Directed by Drew Kirsch & Taylor Swift

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Billie Eilish – “when the party’s over” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Ryan Ross, Andres Jaramillo FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Visual Effects by Matt Chandler, Fabio Zaveti for Analog Ariana Grande – “God is a Woman” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Fabrice Lagayette, Kristina Prilukova & Rebecca Rice for Mathematic DJ Khaled ft. SZA – “Just Us” – We The Best/Epic Records – Visual Effects by Sergii Mashevskyi LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Visual Effects by Ethan Chancer Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier & Lucas Salton for BUF VFX

BEST EDITING Anderson .Paak ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Tints” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music – Editing by Elias Talbot Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Record – Editing by Calmatic Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Editing by Billie Eilish Ariana Grande – “7 Rings” – Republic Records – Editing by Hannah Lux Davis & Taylor Walsh Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Editing by Solange Knowles, Vinnie Hobbs, Jonathon Proctor Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Editing by Jarrett Fijal

BEST ART DIRECTION BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records – Art Direction by JinSil Park, BoNa Kim (MU:E) Ariana Grande – “7 Rings” – Republic Records – Art Direction by John Richoux Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Columbia Records – Art Direction by Itaru Dela Vegas Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Art Direction by Tatiana Van Sauter Taylor Swift – “You Need to Calm Down” – Republic Records – Art Direction by Brittany Porter Kanye West and Lil’ Pump ft. Adele Givens – “I Love It” – Warner Records & Def Jam Music Group – Art Direction by Tino Schaedler

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY FKA twigs – “Cellophane” – Young Turks – Choreography by Kelly Yvonne ROSALÍA & J Balvin ft. El Guincho – “Con Altura” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Charm La’Donna LSD ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo – “No New Friends” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Ryan Heffington Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Choreography by Calvit Hodge, Sara Biv Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Maya Taylor, Solange Knowles BTS ft. Halsey – “Boy With Luv” – Columbia Records – Choreography by Rie Hata

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Anderson .Paak ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Tints” – Aftermath Ent/12 Tone Music – Cinematography by Elias Talbot Billie Eilish – “hostage” – Darkroom/Interscope Records – Cinematography by Pau Castejon Ariana Grande – “thank you, next” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Christopher Probst Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – “Señorita” – Island Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham Solange – “Almeda” – Columbia Records – Cinematography by Chayse Irvin, Ryan Marie Helfant, Justin Hamilton Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco – “ME!” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Starr Whitesides

Ariana Grande – 10 Nominations Video of the Year Artist of the Year Song of the Year Best Pop Best Hip-Hop Best Direction Best Visual Effects Best Editing Best Art Direction Best Cinematography

Taylor Swift – 10 Nominations Video of the Year Song of the Year Best Collaboration Best Pop Best Direction Best Visual Effects Best Editing Best Art Direction Best Cinematography Video For Good

Billie Eilish – 9 Nominations Video of the Year Artist of the Year Best New Artist, presented by Taco Bell® Best Pop Best Direction Best Visual Effects Push Artist of the Year Best Editing Best Cinematography

Lil Nas X – 8 Nominations Video of the Year Song of the Year Best New Artist, presented by Taco Bell® Best Collaboration Best Hip-Hop Best Direction Best Editing Best Art Direction

Halsey – 6 Nominations Artist of the Year Best Collaboration Video For Good Best Art Direction Best Choreography Best K-POP

Shawn Mendes – 5 Nominations Artist of the Year Best Collaboration Best Art Direction Best Choreography Best Cinematography

Camila Cabello – 4 Nominations Best Collaboration Best Art Direction Best Choreography Best Cinematography

Cardi B – 4 Nominations Artist of the Year Best Pop Best Hip-Hop Best Dance

J Balvin – 4 Nominations Best Latin Best Latin Best Dance Best Choreography

Jonas Brothers – 4 Nominations Video of the Year Artist of the Year Song of the Year Best Pop

BTS – 4 Nominations Best Collaboration Best Art Direction Best Choreography Best K-POP

Anderson .Paak – 3 Nominations Best R&B Best Editing Best Cinematography

Drake – 3 Nominations Song of the Year Best Hip-Hop Best Latin

FKA twigs – 3 Nominations Best Direction Best Visual Effects Best Choreography

H.E.R. – 3 Nominations Best New Artist Best R&B Push Artist of the Year

LSD – 3 Nominations Best Direction Best Visual Effects Best Choreography

ROSALÍA – 3 Nominations Best New Artist, presented by Taco Bell® Best Latin Best Choreography

Solange – 3 Nominations Best Editing Best Choreography Best Cinematography

The “VMAs,” which will be hosted by comedian, actor and best-selling author Sebastian Maniscalco, will air live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Monday, August 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, and across MTV’s global network of channels in more than 180 countries, reaching more than half a billion households around the world.

Official sponsors of the 2019 “MTV Video Music Awards” include EXTRA™ Refreshers, PEPSI®, Taco Bell®, and the 2020 Toyota Corolla.

Follow @MTV and @VMAs on social to keep up with all-things #VMAs.

Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are Executive Producers for the 2019 “VMAs.” Barb Bialkowski is Co-Executive Producer. Jackie Barba, Joe Buoye and Alicia Portugal serve as Executive in Charge of Production. Amani Duncan is Executive in Charge of Music. Wendy Plaut is Executive in Charge of Celebrity Talent.

About MTV:

MTV is the leading global youth media brand in 180 countries, reaching 450 million households in nearly 30 different languages across every platform. A unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), MTV operations span cable and mobile networks, live events, theatrical films and MTV Studios.

About The Prudential Center:

Prudential Center is the world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 175 concerts, family shows and special events each year. The arena is also home to the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center, which opened its doors to the public on October 2017. The 8,200-square-foot experience marks the first GRAMMY Museum outpost on the East Coast, and features a dynamic combination of educational programming and interactive permanent and traveling exhibits, including a spotlight on legendary GRAMMY winners from New Jersey. Ranked in the Top 8 nationally by Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and hosts over 2 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit PruCenter.com and follow the arena on Facebook,Twitter and @PruCenter. Prudential Center is a Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment property.

Michael Fabiani / Michael.Fabiani@viacom.com Lauren Nowell / Lauren.Nowell@viacom.com Joyia Sandoval / Joyia.Sandoval@viacom.com Déron Marques / Deron.Marques@viacom.com Elizabeth Angley / Elizabeth.Angley@viacom.com

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