British actress and singer Naomi Scott, who plays pop star Skye Riley in the upcoming film “Smile 2,” said her character drew inspiration from some of the pop stars here tonight.

As for the movie itself, slated to release in theaters Oct. 18, the first-time VMA attendee teased it as being “kind of like the first movie, but on steroids and a lot of party drugs.

“It’s very intense, but it’s so fun and so unhinged and also kind of funny,” Scott said. “My director brought me in to watch some of the edit, and I remember just being like, I wish I was here with my best friend, because we would just be grabbing each other laughing and screaming.”

After a 10-year break from releasing music, LL Cool J dropped his 14th studio album, "The Force," on Friday.

"I wanted to show the people that I came up with that your dreams don't have deadlines," he said on the MTV pre-show. "You could continue to do this thing at a high level. You don't have to be successful at one age and then all of a sudden taper off and wallow around in mediocrity."

He is set to perform in tonight’s ceremony, but the legendary artist's relationship with the VMAs started 27 years ago. LL Cool J became the first rap artist to win the Video Vanguard Award in 1997, which he noted as his favorite VMAs moment.

"I am a kid raised on hip hop ... So that was an unbelievable moment," he said of the honor.

Two-time Olympic champion Jordan Chiles made her first public appearances on Wednesday since she was stripped of her bronze medal from the Paris Olympic Games.

"This is a dream come true to be able to come to the VMAs," Chiles said. "Meeting people, especially celebrities out here." Despite the big names in the room, Chiles said her Olympic resume has prepared her for this moment.

Competing is "harder than doing an interview," she joked.

Hours before the VMAs ceremony, Chiles spoke at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit in New York City, where she said the controversy was more about "peace" and "justice" for her than the medal itself.

"The biggest thing that was taken from me was the recognition of who I was, not just my sport, but the person I am ... the star is never going to get dimmed." she said.

Megan Thee Stallion wins the best trending video VMA for “Mamushi” featuring Yuki Chiba.

Katy Perry is serving a wet look on the carpet. She will be performing a medley of her biggest hits later tonight in celebration of her Video Vanguard award, which celebrates an artists' career and impact on pop culture.

The TikToker-turned-pop star arrived on the carpet wearing a white feathery bikini set with a tulle bustle.

She said the look was partly inspired by Madonna, who wore a wedding dress in her performance of "Like A Virgin" during the 1984 VMAs.

The "Diet Pepsi" singer is a presenter at tonight's awards.

Chappell, who is nominated for best new artist alongside three other categories, said it would be “awesome” if she won — noting that she’s “never won anything.” If she does cinch the category, she said, she wants to give a shoutout to her ex: “You got me here.”

Chappell said she’s a bit nervous about performing in front of her peers tonight, many of whom she said she looks up to. The pop star teased in a red-carpet interview with MTV that her performance will include “a lot of technical things going on that I’ve never had happen.”

She also shared a few details about the medieval look she donned on the carpet.

“That robe that I had on ... was 300 years old. And then the rug that was rolled out is 600 years old," she said.

Katy Perry wins the most iconic performance VMA for “Roar.”

The winner for best alternative is Benson Boone for his song “Beautiful Things,” awarded during the pre-show livestream on YouTube.

Boone thanked the fans for all their support and their votes as he accepted the Moon Man statue in an interview on the carpet.

“You know what? This has been the craziest year of my life so far,” Boone said. “I’m truly honored to be in this crowd of people... it’s been pretty insane for me.”

When asked about his performance to come later tonight, Boone just said, “lot of sparkles, lots of flips.”