MTV VMAs stars are banned from rocking ‘raunchy’ looks and cursing on air after this year’s unprecedented network change, The U.S. Sun can reveal.
After 40 historic years of airing the VMAs, which helped put MTV on the map, the wildest night in music will be heading to CBS for the first time.
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly attend the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021, in NYC[/caption]
The first-ever MTV VMAs were held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City back in 1984 and have aired on the Music Television channel every year since.
Debuting with a bang, the first awards included iconic moments such as Madonna’s live Like a Virgin performance.
However, interest in the once-legendary awards has dipped in recent years – leading to a ratings plummet that hit an all-time low in 2021.
The dwindling success of the once-renowned program led CBS to announce that it’s taking over the VMAs for 2025.
The move could highly impact the typically untamed night, as CBS must follow “significantly different rules” than its sister network, MTV.
“CBS and MTV have significantly different rules and guidelines that they each have to abide by.
“Their airing rules and various content standards are completely different due to CBS being a broadcast network and MTV being classified as a cable channel.
“Because of this, CBS has much stricter guidelines of what is considered inappropriate and is not allowed to air anything that is considered indecent or profane,” an awards insider told The U.S. Sun.
Rose McGowan wears a ‘naked dress’ during 1998 MTV Video Music Awards with then-boyfriend Marilyn Manson[/caption]
Rose McGowan and Marilyn Manson during 1998 MTV Video Music Awards at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, United States[/caption]
Doja Cat attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey[/caption]
The source explained that there is “no way around” the rules as it’s an “FCC thing,” which are guidelines set in place by the Federal Communications Commission.
“The content and language on MTV is much more lenient, making this an interesting year for the VMAs.
“Stars’ reps have been contacted far and wide, warning them not to dress their clients in too provocative of clothing.
“It will still be a sexier night, but stars are prohibited from showing up in extremely raunchy looks, like the many nearly-naked looks that have been done in the past.”
In terms of what CBS is apparently most worried about, the insider said: “Revealing outfits and unplanned profanity are the two main causes of concern for the network.
“They’re hoping for a fun night, but attendees still need to behave properly.
“CBS has long aired the Grammys though, so this is not their first rodeo. They know what they are doing.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to CBS for comment.
END OF AN ERA
Both CBS and MTV are owned by the same parent company, Paramount Global.
The 2025 MTV VMAs will be airing on CBS for the first time ever, but will also be simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+.
Making the drastic change to CBS was a big move, as the network is known for having a much older and more conservative audience.
In fact, CBS has the oldest primetime audience amongst all of the broadcast channels, with the median age being 67 years old, according to a study from The Hollywood Reporter.
This demographic is far different than the younger audience MTV has targeted in the past with its sexy performances and raunchy outfits from music’s biggest stars.
Lady Gaga accepts the Video of the Year award onstage during the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards in her meat dress[/caption]
Sabrina Carpenter will be performing at this year’s VMAs[/caption]
Lil’ Kim shows off her legendary look at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City[/caption]
The VMAs are known for pushing the boundaries of fashion and have become a staple for nearly-naked looks from celebrity attendees.
Actress Rose McGowan, 52, dropped jaws when she showed up to the 1998 VMAs in a completely see-through naked dress made of chainmail.
Her entire body, including her nipples, could be seen as she walked down the red carpet with her then-boyfriend, Marilyn Manson.
The following year, Lil Kim, 51, followed suit by wearing her now-iconic purple jumpsuit where her left breast was completely exposed – using only a nipple cover as a top.
More recently, Megan Fox, 39, channeled her own ‘naked’ look in a totally transparent Naked Mugler dress at the 2021 VMAs.
Other controversial looks and moments from the buzzed-about awards have remained part of pop culture history.
At the 2010 VMAs, Lady Gaga showed up in a dress, headpiece, and shoes that were entirely made out of raw beef.
The Grammy-winner wore the controversial outfit to protest the anti-LBGTQ military policy, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013[/caption]
Miley wore just a latex thong and bra as she twerked on Robin[/caption]
Miley Cyrus had wild moments of her own when she performed at the 2013 VMAs in the ‘twerk seen around the world.’
The Disney Channel alum sang a medley of her songs and at one point, began to perform the biggest track of the year, Blurred Lines, by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams.
At one point in the middle of the performance, Robin, 48, walked out on stage, and Miley, 32, wearing just a tiny nude latex thong and bra, bent over and twerked on him.
Due to the vulgar nature of the on-stage moves, which were accompanied by dancing bears, and the pair’s large age gap, the performance was at the center of controversy for weeks.
Stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Doja Cat, and Addison Rae have all dazzled with sexy looks in more recent VMA broadcasts.
The 2025 MTV VMAs airs on Sunday, September 7th at 8 pm EST on CBS – while also airing simultaneously on MTV and Paramount+.
Singer Lady Gaga accepts the Video of the Year award onstage during the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010[/caption]
Marilyn Manson and Rose McGowan in her now-iconic chainmail dress[/caption]
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly attend the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn[/caption]
