While Stefani tends to look pretty glamorous these days — with her platinum blonde hair and signature red lipstick — the No Doubt lead singer didn't always appear so classy. Case in point: During the 1998 MTV VMAs, Stefani channeled an alien-like look with her with blue-dye hair, gem-decorated forehead, furry bra and skirt-pant combo. One thing that hasn't changed? Her solid abs.
The Brooklyn-born rapper arrived at the 1999 VMAs in a purple mermaid-inspired jumpsuit with a sparkling pasty that revealed a little too much.
The singer didn't quite rock her look with the spiked pink hair, hip-baring denim and long fur coat at the 2000 VMAs.
To promote her 2001 album, Gray was a walking ad with the words "My new album drops Sept. 18, 2001" written in the front and "Buy It!" in the back. The year before, the singer won as Best New Artist for her single "I Try."
While those rock-hard abs might be nice for staring, the rocker's fringe piece wasn't exactly the best outfit of the night during the 2004 VMAs.
The gossip blogger appeared over-the-top with his orange hair, floral blazer, hot-pink shorts and bright yellow boots at the 2009 VMAs.
At the 2011 award show, the "Roar" singer wore a head-to-toe Christian Dior number that was topped with a yellow (cheese block–like?) cube hat. That year, the pink-haired Perry won Video of the Year for "Firework" as well as Best Collaboration and Best Visual Effects for "E.T." featuring Kanye West.
Minaj, who is typically known for her outrageous outfits, stepped out in a way too colorful Harajuku-esque attire for the 2011 VMAs where she won Best Hip-Hop Video for "Super Bass."
Nominated as Best New Artist for her song "Gucci Gucci" in 2011, Kreayshawn stepped out in a fitted Disney-inspired dress that sparkled a little too much.
No applause for Lady Gaga as she attended the 2010 VMAs in a meat dress made of raw beef, which was designed by Argentine designer Franc Fernandez and styled by Nicola Formichetti.