Story highlights
Miley Cyrus will host the awards show August 30
Most viewers tune in for surprises rather than awards
The nominees are in for the MTV 2015 Video Music Awards, which will feature Miley Cyrus as host.
Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran lead the pack with three nominations each, including video of the year. In that category, they’ll face off against Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars for “Uptown Funk” and Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood.”
Kendrick Lamar earned five total nominations: two as a solo artist and three for his collaboration with Swift on “Bad Blood.”
But it matters little who wins; most people tune into the show for the musical performances and “unexpected” moments. And, if Cyrus’ past award show performances are any indication, there’s no telling who might get kissed or what wild costume she’ll wear (if any).
Judging by the photo she posted Monday on Instagram announcing the news, she’s pretty excited.
The show airs August 30 on MTV.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé, “7/11”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
BEST MALE VIDEO
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
The Weeknd, “Earned It”
Nick Jonas, “Chains”
BEST FEMALE VIDEO
Beyoncé, “7/11”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”
Sia, “Elastic Heart”
Ellie Goulding, “Love Me Like You Do”
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Big Sean feat. E-40, “IDFWU”
BEST POP VIDEO
Beyoncé, “7/11”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Maroon 5, “Sugar”
BEST ROCK VIDEO
Hozier, “Take Me To Church”
Fall Out Boy, “Uma Thurman”
Florence + the Machine, “Ship to Wreck”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up and Dance”
Arctic Monkeys, “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”
ARTIST TO WATCH
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Vance Joy, “Riptide”
George Ezra, “Budapest”
James Bay, “Hold Back The River”
FKA Twigs, “Pendulum”
BEST COLLABORATION
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Ariana Grande & The Weeknd, “Love Me Harder”
Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, “Bang Bang”
VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE
Jennifer Hudson, “I Still Love You”
Colbie Caillat, “Try”
Big Sean feat. Kanye West and John Legend, “One Man Can Change the World”
Rihanna, “American Oxygen”
Wale, “The White Shoes”
See more nominations at MTV.com.
