Chelsea Handler hosted the event, the first woman in sixteen years – since the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards – to do so.

[3] She accepted the award while wearing a dress complete with a hat, purse, and shoes all made entirely from cuts of raw meat, which drew backlash from PETA.

After fans blasted the rapper online, he took to Twitter to defend the look as artistic expression and not an embrace of the controversial maquillage typically used to lampoon African-Americans.

just because I where all black including head mask as expression and emphasize my outfit, it shouldn't be looked at as racial," Will tweeted.

Will.i.am insisted the face paint was a harmless costume choice and that fans concerned with the image Will's look projected should focus on larger issues.

[7] While accepting her award for Video of the Year, presented by legendary singer and actress Cher, Lady Gaga wore a dress made entirely from cuts of raw meat.