All The Political Comments Celebrities Made At The 2017 MTV VMAs

Celebrities are not known to be quiet when it comes to hot-button issues. Similar to past award shows, Sunday’s 2017 Video Music Awards on MTV was no different. While the ceremony included dozens of live performances, award presentations and star presenters, it also includes several, memorable political statements from music’s best and brightest, including the event’s host, singer Katy Perry.

Relive all the times celebrities made political statements at the 2017 MTV VMAs below.

Perry kicked off her hosting gig by joking about being in space for the past several months to “find herself,” therefore making herself out of touch on current events. After learning about how Fidget Spinners work during her act, she had a few words to say about the state of the world.

“I am so happy to be back on planet earth,” she started. “When I left it seemed like things were kind of screwed up but you guys all look so happy and healthy and peaceful. It feels like since I’ve been gone you’ve figured out all of the problems in the world right now and world is doing so well, right?” she quipped. “Maybe not so much?” she added after seeing a chilling, fake headline about the world being on fire.

Later on in the show, after paying tribute to those affected by Tropical Storm Harvey, the “Swish Swish” singer reminded viewers to vote for the top two best new artist nominees, Julia Michaels and Khalid, the latter of which went on to secure the honor.

“Who wins is up to you. One artist will join the ranks of other best new artist winners,” Perry said. “Listen guys, this is one election where the popular vote actually matters so vote online, but hurry up, before some random Russian pop star wins,” she added, shading U.S. President Donald Trump.

After co-staring in a pre-recorded skit with Billy Eichner addressing rumors surrounding her life, Perry appeared to slam Trump again while discussing a single off her new album called “Save As Draft.”

“It’s all about when you write up that one social media post late at night and think, eh, maybe I should sleep on this one,” Perry explained of the song. “Some people, wink wink, could stand to save as draft a lot more, don’t you think guys?” she said.

Perry went on to deliver some of her most “regrettable” drafts to date, one of which stated, “When @HillaryClinton becomes president, I promise to put out a timeless record that everybody loves!”

Not every comment from Perry made during her hosting duties were political, however. During the show, Perry also made cracks about the failed Fyre music festival and her fake social media baby named Bella sponsored by Fit Tea who has millions of Instagram followers, Perry saying babies are “really having a moment right now.”

Still, Perry was far from the only celebrity to make political waves at the VMAs. At the beginning of the show, model and daughter of the late Michael Jackson, Paris Jackson, made her views on white supremacy known.

“I’m seeing alot of love and light here tonight already. A lot of diversity and a lot of potential power. You know, if we could all put our voices together, do you realize the difference we would make? If we were to all stand up united as one, our impact, it would be huge, believe me, huge! And that’s not fake news,” Jackson kicked off the first award of the night, best pop video.

“Let’s leave here tonight remembering that we must show these natzi, white supermist jerks in Charlottesville and all over the country that as a nation with libery as our slogn we have zero tolerance for their violence, their hatred and their descrimination. We must resist,” she added.

Cardi B took her moment onstage to share her thoughts with the world while introducing Demi Lovato’s performance. “Colin K. [Kaepernick] as long as you kneel with us, we’re going to be standing for you baby,” the singer said of the controversy surrounding the athlete who kneeled as the national anthem played during the last NFL season in an effort to protest police brutality against blacks.

“That’s right, I said it,” Cardi added as the crowd cheered.

Reverend Robert Wright Lee IV, a descendant of civil war general Robert E. Lee who’s statue caused the political uproar in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier this month, also made an appearance at the show.

“We have made my ancestor a idol of white supremacy, racism and hate. As a pastor, it is my duty to speak out against racism, America’s original sin,” Lee told the crowd. “Today I call on all of us with privilege and power to answer God’s call to confront racism and white supremacy head on. We can find inspiration in the Black Lives Matter movement, the women who marched in the women’s march in January and especially, Heather Heyer, who died fighting for her believes in Charlottesville,” Lee said, before going on to introduce Heyer’s mother onstage.

“Only 15 days ago my daughter Heather was killed as she protested racism. I miss her, but I know she’s here tonight,” Susan Bro said, announcing a foundation in her daughter’s honor, The Heather Heyer Foundation. The non-profit will provide scholarships to help people join her daughter’s fight against hatred.