From Bretman Rock pulling a show-stopping look to Olivia Rodrigo winning multiple awards, these stars brought Filipino pride to one of the biggest awards show.
Related: These Are The Best-Dressed Women At The MTV VMAs 2019
The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards is back with a full show at the Barclays Center in New York. With a history of having the most outrageous looks it the red carpet, performances made with double the dose of shock-factor, and a few scandalous moments, the MTV VMAs is all about making a big statement. And among this year’s attendees that was able take home the coveted Moonman trophy are our very own fellow Filipinos. Here’s what you need to know about these Filipino stars.
BRETMAN ROCK
Singer, song writer, actor, actress, athlete, activist, a scientist on the mother******* side
the star of the crystal of the day, a coconut water connoisseur, and the newest MTV star–Bretman Rock’s title deserves an award itself. Most known as an OG YouTuber, throughout his rise to fame, he never forgot to celebrate his Filipino identity. A fluent speaker in Ilocano, his good morning Instagram stories and feel-good videos never fails make anyone have a good laugh. But outside from social media, Bretman also has impeccable style, earlier this week he was strutting down the streets for New York Fashion Week.
For the MTV VMAs 2021 red carpet, he also made his way to the best-dressed list by wearing the iconic tiger-striped fur dress by Roberto Cavalli. Once worn by singer Aaliyah at the 2002 VMAs, he completed his look with thigh-high leather boots.
OLIVIA RODRIGO
Rising singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo broke the internet when she released her first album this year. Quickly becoming a favorite by the new and older generation, Rodrigo is also a Filipino-American who grew up with Filipino values and eating local dishes. An expert at Y2K fashion, Rodrigo knows her way around fashion history wearing the likes of a 90’s knitted Moschino jacket and the Marc Jacob’s “Kiki” platform boots.
However at the MTV VMAs, she went for a strong color statement in a mermaid-cut gown by Atelier Versace. The 18-year-old took home a total of three awards namely Song of the Year, Push Performance of the Year for Drivers License, and Best New Artist.
BELLA POARCH
Bella Poarch became an internet sensation overnight with 10.6 million followers on Instagram and roughly 66 million on TikToK. She first went viral through a lip sync video to Millie B’s “M to the B”. Proving she has a talented voice herself, she released her own song “Build A B****” this year that tackled unrealistic beauty standards. A fun fact is that she and Bretman Rock are cousins, they met in Pangasinan, Bella’s hometown when they were kids.
Showing her love for costume fashion, she stepped out into the MTV VMAs 2021 red carpet in a gothic lace jumpsuit with flared pants and a dramatic cape.
SAWEETIE
A multi-platinum selling rapper, Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper also known as “Saweetie” is African-American and Filipina. Her viral hit “Best Friend” landed her on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and even a song collaboration with Gwen Stefani. She is now signed with major-label Warner Bros Music.
One to watch out for in the MTV VMAs red-carpet, Saweetie has worn symmetrical long gowns and strategically-draped frocks to the event before. For this year, she chose to fully embody her “ICY GIRL” persona with a silver-pleated Valentino Resort 2022 dress.
