The MTV VMAs had a surprise backstage scandal that wasn’t actually a scandal, a source told Variety. Footage of Megan Thee Stallion appearing to argue with Justin Timberlake went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter. But what they said to each other couldn’t be heard in the clip, so fans assumed the worst.
Some wondered what Timberlake said or did to elicit an angry reaction from her. The reality, a backstage source who witnessed the exchange told Variety, was actually not dramatic. Their exchange was playful and sweet.
There was “zero fight,” the source started. “He said, ‘It’s so nice to meet you,’ and she said ‘No, no, this don’t count, this don’t count. We gotta meet proper.’ It was very cute.” Neither Timberlake nor Megan have commented on the video yet.
Megan performed during the show with Cardi B. On the red carpet, Cardi gushed about how wonderful it was and is to work with Megan. She is “just a beautiful person,” Cardi said. “She’s amazing. I don’t really fuck with a lot of people, but she’s one of the people I mess with.”
And Megan isn’t the only celebrity to have an apparent fan girl moment in front of *NSYNC during their surprise MTV VMAs reunion. Taylor Swift also had a meltdown when they appeared on stage.
The band presented Swift with the Best Pop Video award, and she could barely compose herself at first to make her acceptance speech. She hugged all the members and got a friendship bracelet from Lance Bass.
“I’m not doing well pivoting from this,” Swift said, gesturing to them before getting into her speech.
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
