MTV Video Music Awards Responds To Reports Of Dropping “Best Group” Category
In a (un)surprising turn of events, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) Twitter account responded to a report that they will be dropping a high-profile category.
A recent Billboard article about the upcoming 2021 VMAs reported that the show will be dropping their “Best Group” category.
BTS has won the award for the past two years ever since it returned from a 12-year absence.
ARMYs were critical of the alleged decision and expressed their belief that dropping the category would be a means of limiting BTS’s achievements.
VMAs created a Kpop category and then removed the "Best Group" category, the american industry wants to limit BTS and separate them from competing against their precious western artists…. they’re so insecure
— lau⁷ (@jvnggkuk) July 19, 2021
Fans of BTS have boycotted the VMAs before due to perceived mistreatment, and it is likely that it would have happened again this year.
the grammys, the vmas who’s next ???? the industry is scared of bts’ impact and they aren’t even trying to hide it anymore. at this point boycott every american award shows
— ً (@armynatorheart) July 19, 2021
The official Twitter account for the award show posted a tweet foreshadowing future category announcements.
#VMA nominees are coming and even more categories will be announced soon 👀 Who do you think deserves a nom? 👇
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) July 19, 2021
They confirmed in a reply that the “Best Group” category will still be included, and urged fans to “chill.”
…and GUYS chill, we’re still doing Best Group! pic.twitter.com/O5dwX3Twhq
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) July 19, 2021
It’s unclear whether the initial report was incorrect or the decision was changed in light of the public reaction.
vmas announcement about cancelling the best group award didn’t even last one hour before armys bullied them into bringing the award back. FUCK
— ً (@btsroyaIty) July 19, 2021
Fans found the tweet to be in bad taste, and remain to be disapproving of the show.
and the vmas will still struggle to bring in views like that’s the crazy thing. bts will outlive that whole award show’s relevancy.
— ً (@TELEAZE) July 19, 2021
BTS is entered for “Best Pop” and “Best K-Pop” for their single “Butter,” and could see a third nomination in the “Best Group” category.