Johnny Depp is MTV VMAs moonman during surprise appearance at award show: 'Needed the work'
Johnny Depp was the MTV moonman at VMAs on Sunday
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance as the coveted moonman at the MTV Video Music Awards show on Sunday night at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
The 59-year-old actor floated from the ceiling wearing the iconic astronaut outfit during a seconds-long stint on the live telecast.
Depp joked he "needed the work" as he soared above the crowd in a white suit with the shield of his mask lifted to reveal his face, according to People.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It was a night of big wins for Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow, Red Hot Chili Peppers and BLACKPINK, who all took home trophies as the live telecast returned for the first time since 2019.
Johnny Depp appears as moonman at Video Music Awards. (MTV)
It wasn't the only chance for Depp to get a shining moment on the program as he appeared post commercial, "Hey VMAs, let's get back to the f---ing music, shall we?"
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WHO IS VMAS PERFORMER KANE BROWN, THE FIRST MALE COUNTRY SINGER TO TAKE THE AWARD SHOW'S STAGE?
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star seemed to play post-ad host as he flew in once again later in the telecast and reminded the crowd, "I just want you guys to know, I'm available for birthdays, weddings, bat mitzvahs, anything you need; anything. Oh, I'm also a dentist."
It's certainly not his first time working with MTV as he's won five Movie Awards through the years, including the MTV Generation Award in 2012 and the "Best Villain" award for his role in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Johnny Depp was the VMAs moonman throughout the night at the MTV Video Music Awards. (MTV)
He picked up back-to-back statues in 2007 and 2008 for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and "At World's End," and won his first moonman in 2004 "Best Male Performance" in "The Curse of the Black Pearl."
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Kane Brown made history as the first male country singer to perform at the show, and spoke exclusively with Fox News Digital about how excited he was to be at the VMAs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It's such an iconic show to be a part of, and I just feel really honored that they asked me. I can’t give too much away, but I can say that they can expect it to be something they haven’t seen before," he said of his upcoming performance.
Singer Fergie returned to the stage for the first time in years to perform with Jack Harlow, who sampled her 2006 "Glamorous" in his song "First Class."
Lizzo made everyone jump out of their seats with an electric performance of "2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)," including Taylor Swift. Lizzo later made a political statement when she pleaded with fans to vote and "make changes to laws that are oppressing us" as she accepted the Video for Good award.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jack Harlow and Fergie perform onstage at the 2022 VMAs. (Theo Wargo)
Nicki Minaj performed a medley of hits at the VMAs on Sunday night. (Arturo Holmes)
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She admitted she wasn't sure what the moonman was celebrating, but she was grateful for her fans for showing up and voting for her to win the trophy.
"It means everything to making a change in this country," she said as she correlated how important it was to vote for MTV awards as it was for anything else, including elections.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nicki Minaj performed a medley of hits before accepting a video vanguard award for her barrier-breaking status in the industry.
"I wish people took mental health seriously, even when you think they have the perfect lives," Minaj said as she picked up her award and listed off a number of people who inspired her throughout the year, including Kanye West, Drake, Lil Wayne, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
Lizzo accepts the Video For Good award for "About Damn Time" onstage at the 2022 MTV VMAs at Prudential Center on Aug. 28, 2022, in Newark, New Jersey. (Arturo Holmes)
Taylor Swift picks up top award at VMAs on Sunday night and announced a new album set for October release. (John Shearer)
Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Bad Bunny and the Red Hot Chili Peppers each performed sets, with the Peppers taking home the Global Icon Award.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chad Smith, the drummer of the LA-based band, honored late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins who died earlier this year.
"There's another global icon missing, Taylor Hawkins," he said. "I dedicate this to Taylor and his family, and I miss him every day. Play on, play on, brother."
Taylor Swift earned the VMAs Video of the Year award and announced a surprise album will be released in October as she accepted her moonman on stage.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 32-year-old singer also revealed that she had made MTV history with four of the nominees in the category being women, a first for the awards show which began celebrating artists in 1984.