“No one really understands the scale and magnitude of this thing. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine said to MTV’s Sway on the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet… But even with that quote opening the night, we weren’t prepared for the sheer magnitude of the band’s set during the show proper.

Maroon 5 transformed a parking lot outside The Forum in Los Angeles into an insane concert venue, complete with a huge “MV” (get it, for Maroon 5), while delivering an awesome performance that had thousands of their fans swooning.

Levine, born and bred in LA, wore an old-school Lakers jersey, with the pillars of the stadium – and fireballs – in the background, while crooning out his signature vocals and sexy moves on both “Maps” and “One More Night.”

Craig Flaster

So confession time, we’ve been scouring the red carpet and every website for pictures of Beyonce like it’s our job, because well it is. And it was worth the wait. Queen Bey arrived to the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards wearing a black lace and beaded Nicolas Jebran gown on the red carpet. If that name sounds familiar to you, it’s because he’s the same designer who worked on all Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” outfits. This dress has everything, a super low plunging neckline, cut-outs, a lace boob window, what looks like rhinestone embellishments, sequins and some serious Dynasty-era earrings.

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This small dose of perfection will have to tide us over before Beyonce slays us all with performance and acceptance of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard tonight.

RIP Me. I’ll be writing my living will in the meantime.

Jessie Peterson

Usher’s a man of his word.

The legendary R&B singer promised us he’d do something he’s never done before during his 2014 MTV Video Music Awards performance, and boy did he deliver.

Shortly after debuting a 15-second clip of his new music video, “She Came To Give it to You,” on the VMA red carpet,the Everything You Can Imagine singer took the stage at The Forum in Inglewood, California, Sunday night (August 24) dressed in a white motorcycle jacket, T-shirt and pants to perform the Nicki Minaj-assisted single.

Backed by an energetic live band and dance troupe, the three-time VMA performer released a series of kinetic glides and dance moves that were an expert collaboration of precision and spontaneity.

“I’m so confused, if you only knew/She came to give it to you,” he sang in front of an elaborate digital background.

Minaj, who had already set Twitter abuzz with her bootylicious “Anaconda” performance earlier in the show, entered stage right to spit her verse. As she rapped and gyrated, Usher riffed on the guitar while bumping and then slapping The Pink Print MC’s butt.

Once Nicki and her white fur shawl were off stage, the “Good Kisser” crooner punctuated his performance with an array of signature spin moves. The backup dancers then dropped to the floor and Usher froze as smoke plumed from beneath the stage as if it had just been set on fire.

Maurice Bobb @ReeseReport

5 Seconds of Summer touched more than the 5SOSFam on Sunday (August 24), when they enchanted the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards with their stripped-down, sincere performance of “Amnesia.”

Ashton, Luke, Michael and Calum made their music video come to life, standing on a set made of reclaimed pallets (when we talked to them after rehearsals, they said they were from IKEA). A soft light streamed through the slats as the guys harmonized the heartbreaking lyrics, “If what we had was real, how could you be fine? … I wish that I could wake up with amnesia, and forget about the stupid, little things.”

Related: 5SOS Have Some Great Tips On How To Avoid Snakes

Emilee Lindner

Member of MTV News' Cat Braintrust, has an unhealthy obsession with pork dumplings and tweeting Austin Mahone's mom. Follow @emileelindner

So, you might’ve peeped Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jessie J opening the VMAs with a killer three-song medley, but during their “Bang Bang” performance, did y’all notice something up with Nicki? Namely, her dress? She wouldn’t let go of her frock throughout the entire song, which leaves us with So. Many. Questions. Obviously, we need to investigate.

FIRST STAGE: THE DISCOVERY

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Nicki realizes the front of her dress is open… on stage… in front of an audience… on live TV.

SECOND STAGE: GRAB ‘N GO

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She uses her hands to hold in the goods—all while dancing and singing.

THIRD STAGE: ACCEPTANCE

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She may not have any buttons/zippers/velcro/string/literally anything to hold her dress together, but she’s got her hands, and that’s all she needs y’all. #WERK

Chrissy Mahlmeister @sweatmoustache

It’s not the VMAs without Miley Cyrus, and she didn’t disappoint. Miley showed up wearing high-waisted trousers and a bandeau top from Maison Martin Margiela. And while it’s less bedazzled than the Dolce & Gabbana two-piece she wore last year, it’s similar in its pants and croptop situation.

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It’s simple, it’s chic (you really can’t go wrong with an all-leather outfit, ask Ari for further confirmation). Extra points for selecting an outfit tonight that has pockets because practical.

Jessie Peterson

Stars thank all kind of people when they win awards: God, their parents, their managers, even fans.

But when Chelsea Handler took the stage at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, she mixed it up by throwing out a big thank you while presenting the award for Best Male Video to Ed Sheeran.

“I want to thank Taylor Swift for being so white,” the comedian said after Swift’s adorable, old-timey performance. She explained the because of all the “big, fat asses” at the show on Sunday night, she specifically asked to come on after someone really white.

And in her book, because she has “no ass” and didn’t want competition, Taylor was the perfect lead-in.

Gil Kaufman

Often guilty, never convicted. Serving 15 years to life at MTV News.