Miley Cyrus apparently can not be tamed.
The singer had a memorable performance, one that made Lady Gaga's, who opened the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday night look tame. Gaga had four costume changes at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for her first return to the stage since hip surgery; she performed her new single "Applause."
But it was Cyrus who stole the show.
Cyrus kicked off her performance with a multitude of dancing teddy bears in a bodysuit adorned with a cartoon character. The former Disney star twerked, wagged her tongue and stripped down to a nude-colored two-piece for major shock value.
As Robin Thicke appeared on stage to perform "Blurred Lines," Cyrus rubbed a foam finger over his private parts and later grinded on him with her tongue out.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cyrus performance managed to drown out rumors about the 'N Sync reunion temporarily and left Katy Perry, Drake, Kanye West and several others quite the spectacle to top.
A photo of Will Smith and his family looking appalled, presumably during Cyrus' performance, also went viral. Smith and his famous kids Jaden and Willow were caught by an audience cam giving quite the priceless reaction to the 20-year-old singer's performance. The 44-year-old father and Jaden, 15, cringed, as Willow, 12, confirmed just how jaw-dropping the set really was.
Will Smith's Family Reacting To Miley Cyrus Is Perfect https://t.co/z9OGMdehOX pic.twitter.com/6vJjwvPmLU
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) August 26, 2013
"Miley better go get a pregnancy test after all that grinding," Kevin Hart joked afterward. Cyrus' grinding VMA performance created a frenzy on Twitter, with many people taking to social media to express their shock and horror at the 20-year-old's racy performance. Several Hollywood stars also posted tweets reflecting their disapproval. But some, including director Judd Apatow, praised the pop star.
Miley, step away from the foam finger and put your tongue away...PLEASE. #VMAs I'm so confused. #OldFogeyTweet — yvette nicole brown (@yvettenbrown) August 26, 2013
Gotta go, Miley's at my door waving that giant finger and twerking my dog.
— Nia Vardalos (@NiaVardalos) August 26, 2013
What has happened to Miley Cyrus? She has gone mad... — Melissa :) (@MelissaBurgess2) August 26, 2013
Alan Thicke and Billy Ray Cyrus now under genetic arrest. — Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) August 26, 2013
Miley Cyrus' performance at the VMAs is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever watched
— Amy Cunningham (@amyhannahc) August 26, 2013
Cyrus was nominated for Best Song of the Summer, Best Female Video, Best Editing and Best Pop Video for her "We Can't Stop" single, but didn't end up taking home a Moonman.
Leaving the VMAs. No it's not over. I'm no psychic but congrats @onedirection #songofthesummer
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) August 26, 2013