When we learnt that Cardi B was set to open the 2018 MTV VMAs [1], followed by stars like Ariana Grande [2] and Jennifer Lopez [3], who hit the stage to receive the Video Vanguard Award [4], we immediately knew we could expect buzzy looks with viral potential. Who would wear the tightest dress, putting her famous curves on display? Who would wear the tallest, strappiest shoes, or perform in something impossibly daring?
But before we digest every wardrobe change and deem certain celebs the most confident dressers [5] in the room, it's time to take in the arrivals. While so many sexy outfits have gone down in VMAs history, the initial red carpet statement is often what sticks with us. On that note, scroll to see who showed up in what.
Jennifer Lopez
Wearing a Versace dress [6] with platform heels and Tiffany & Co. jewels.
Cardi B
Wearing a custom plum slitted Nicolas Jebran gown [7] with matching heels and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.
Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande
Ariana wearing a metallic minidress [8] with a flirty hemline and Le Silla thigh-high boots.
Kylie Jenner
Wearing a Tom Ford dress with Olgana Paris shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.
Chloe X Halle
Wearing Iris van Herpen dresses and Tiffany & Co. jewels. Halle is wearing Nicholas Kirkwood shoes.
Nicki Minaj
Wearing Off-White [9].
Millie Bobby Brown
Wearing a Rosie Assoulin jumpsuit [10], jewels by Alison Lou and Jennifer Fisher, and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Blake Lively
Wearing a Ralph & Russo Couture white tuxedo [11] with Lorraine Schwartz jewels and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Shay Mitchell
Wearing a Nicolas Jebran dress [12] with Harry Kotlar diamond studs.
Karlie Kloss
Wearing an Elie Saab dress with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, a Judith Leiber clutch, Wempe earrings, and a Sanjay Kasliwal bracelet.
Anna Kendrick
Wearing a Ralph & Russo Couture minidress with Roger Vivier sandals.
Olivia Munn
Wearing a David Koma dress with Loriblu heels and jewels by Anita Ko, Kismet, and Yeprem.
Rita Ora
Wearing a sheer black gown [13] with Fleur du Mal lingerie, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.
Camila Cabello
Wearing an Oscar de la Renta gown [14] with Chopard jewels.
Jasmine Sanders
Wearing a Dundas dress with Brian Atwood shoes and a L'Afshar clutch.
Tiffany Haddish
Wearing a Naeem Khan dress, Sophia Webster shoes, and Chopard jewels.
Iggy Azalea
Wearing a graphic-print skater dress with thigh-high embellished boots.
Shanina Shaik
Wearing a Naeem Khan jumpsuit with a Giuseppe Zanotti bag, Gianvito Rossi shoes, and Bulgari jewels.
Winnie changed into a sheer black midi with a crisscross neckline, completing the look with Lorraine Schwartz jewels and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Madison Beer
Wearing a Raisa & Vanessa suit with Norman Silverman jewels and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Grace VanderWaal
Wearing a silver sequined midi dress, a Eugenia Kim hat, and socks with Mary Jane shoes.
Amandla Stenberg
Wearing a Prada look with jewels by Tiffany & Co. and Jennifer Meyer, in addition to Jimmy Choo shoes.
Shawn Mendes
Wearing a two-toned double-breasted suit.
Dascha Polanco
Wearing a sheer gray, knee-length dress.
SZA
Wearing a Rodarte dress and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.
Sabrina Carpenter
Wearing a white slitted dress.
Bebe Rexha
Wearing a custom Christian Siriano set with Lorraine Schwartz jewels and Stuart Weitzman shoes.
Teyana Taylor
Wearing a white crop top and deconstructed black cargo pants.
Ashanti
Wearing a silver off-the-shoulder gown with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.
Maddie Ziegler
Wearing a pink satin set.
Rose Bertram
Wearing a gathered high-low dress with metallic accessories.
Nicky Hilton Rothschild
Wearing a black-and-white off-the-shoulder dress.
Lil Xan and Noah Cyrus
Noah wearing a gold bralette and matching trousers with sneakers, and Lil wearing Off-White.
Gucci Mane and Keyshia Ka'Oir
Gucci wearing an embroidered pinstripe blazer, and Keyshia wearing a feathered, floor-sweeping gown.
Offset and Quavo of Migos
Wearing metallics with tough, flashy footwear.
Victor Cruz and Karrueche Tran
Victor wearing a star-covered varsity jacket, and Karrueche wearing a leather skater dress.
DJ Khaled, Wife Nicole Tuck, and Son Asahd Tuck
Wearing Versace.
Hayley Kiyoko
Wearing a Stello dress with Sophia Webster shoes.
Kim Petras
Wearing Moschino.
Amber Rose
Wearing a racy devil costume.
Sofia Carson
Wearing a multicolored tulle dress.
Winnie Harlow
Wearing a silver beaded and fringe gown.
Keltie Knight
Wearing a metallic, slit-front dress.
