Welcome back to Celebuzz’s Most Iconic VMA Moments showdown. In anticipation of of the 2013 MTV VMA ceremony on August 25, we want you to help us name the most memorable VMA scandal ever. Two weeks ago, we asked you to vote for your favorite VMA performance. (Britney Spears’ 2001 performance of “I’m a Slave 4 U” won in that category.) Last week, we asked you to vote for your favorite VMA fashion moment. (Congrats, once again, to Britney’s 2002 dominatrix-meets-biker-chick look!) Now, it’s all about the drama! You may vote once per hour.
Is the awkward kiss between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley in 1994 the most scandalous VMA moment ever? Let us know by voting below. Plus, continue reading for a look back at the memorable incident.
Do You Remember the Time… Michael Jackson Awkwardly Made Out With Then-Wife Lisa Marie Presley?
Some context: The self-proclaimed King of Pop, Michael Jackson, married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis, secretly in 1994. This was not too long after Michael settled the first of several child molestation cases brought against him, so the timing, to the public, seemed… off. Their awkward kiss at the 1994 VMAs didn’t do much to inspire faith in the validity of their nuptuals. And you can see why:
They both look like they want to gag afterwards! “And to think, people said this wouldn’t last…” Well, Michael, it didn’t. And that kiss probably didn’t help.
You may be thinking, “It’s just a kiss! How is that a scandal?” This moment, along with many others from their marriage, were used to further the idea that their relationship was a sham and that Michael was only using it to quiet rumors about his sexuality and accusations of child molestation. This is some awkwardly dark stuff, folks — and it was arguably the biggest pop culture story of its time.
The ’90s were a tough time for Michael. Though he continued to have some success musically, he suffered through many serious scandals, ranging from the child molestation charges to rumors that he was bleaching his skin. He was married and divorced twice during the decade, and, to be honest, his career was never the same.
His awkward kiss with Lisa Marie remains as one of the most infamous reminders of Michael’s ’90s public relations nightmare. So awkwardly scandalous was this moment that, in its way, it contributed to the destruction of an idol. Whether you loved him or hated him, believed the rumors or not, you have to admit: that was not a good kiss.
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite scandal above. Remember, you can vote once per hour. May the most scandalous moment win!
Read our feature on Madonna and Britney’s big kiss in 2003.
Read our feature on Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift in 2009.
