Entertainment

Justin Bieber rocks the VMA stage for the first time since 2015

Justin Bieber is back, baby.

The Canadian singer, 27, rocked Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday for the first time in six years.

In a duet with Australian rapper Kid Laroi, the Biebs sang “Stay,” which has topped the charts for weeks. The pair directly followed Madonna, who opened the show with a surprise special announcement.

But that wasn’t it. The Canadian also performer, wearing a black hoodie and overalls, sang “Ghost” to a hyped audience, who kept cheering until Olivia Rodrigo eventually took the stage.

Bieber last performed at the ceremony in 2015 when he sang his hit “What Do You Mean?”

The “Sorry” crooner joined fellow performers Camila Cabello, Chlöe, Lil Nas X, Machine Gun Kelly, Shawn Mendes, Kacey Musgraves, VMA host Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo and Twenty One Pilots.

Justin Bieber wore his hood on during his performance.
Justin Bieber wore his hood on during his performance. Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

He had been nominated for a whopping seven awards at this year’s show in the categories of Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Pop Song, Best Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

Bieber starred in the music video for DJ Khaled and Drake’s tune “Popstar,” which was up for Best Direction this year. His song “Peaches” was nominated for Best Collab, Best Pop and Best Editing, and his song “Holy” (featuring Chance the Rapper) earned a nod for Best Cinematography.

Justin Bieber performed two songs at the 2021 VMAs.
Justin Bieber performed two songs at the 2021 VMAs. MTV

Bieber first graced the VMAs in 2010 when he won the award for Best New Artist. Since then, he has garnered 30 nominations.

He previously won MTV awards in 2010 and 2011 for his songs “Baby” and “U Smile,” respectively. During the pandemic last year, he scored a win for the category Best Music Video From Home with Ariana Grande for their collab “Stuck With U.”