MTV Video Music Awards Host Keke Palmer Dedicates Show to Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman was remembered at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards on Saturday when Keke Palmer dedicated the show to the Black Panther actor who died on Friday from colon cancer at age 43.

“We dedicate tonight’s show to a man whose spirit touched so many,” said Palmer. “He is a true hero, not just on screen, but in everything he did. His impact lives forever.” That moment kicked off the show with a performance from The Weeknd.

Further into the event, footage of Boseman from the 2018 MTV VMAs was shown as he was referred to a a “real superhero.” The words “Rest in Power” filled the screen, with a photo of a smiling Boseman and the years he lived: 1976 – 2020.

During the show, the Black Eyed Peas said “Wakanda Forever” as a reference to Black Panther, in which Boseman starred as a Wakandan king.

Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and fought the disease for four years as he continued to work on film projects including Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods and the upcoming Netflix drama Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Among the big wins of the evening, video of the year went to The Weeknd for “Blinding Lights,” while Lady Gaga won artist of the year.

This year’s VMAs featured outdoor performances from artists including Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and BTS, all of which occurred in different locations around New York to pay tribute to the city that was hit severely in the early months of the viral outbreak.

Hosted by Hustlers actress Keke Palmer, the VMAs were simulcast across multiple ViacomCBS brands including VH1 and Comedy Central.

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