Bad Bunny Wins 2022 MTV VMAs Artist of the Year After Controversial Kiss With Backup Dancer

Bad Bunny won big at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday as he took home one of the most coveted 'Moonman' trophies an artist can receive that night.

The Puerto Rican rapper was named VMA Artist of the Year. While his historic win was widely celebrated, Bad Bunny's huge production number of his hit "Titi Me Pregunto" from Yankee Stadium in New York became controversial.

His performance, which was part of his World's Hottest Tour," was livestreamed during the MTV VMAs held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. One thing about his performance that kept social media abuzz was his controversial kiss with his male backup dancer.

Bad Bunny Historic Win at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards

Nominated for four awards, including Artist of the Year, Best Latin Video for "Titi Me Pregunto," Song of the Summer for "Me Porto Bonito," and Album of the Year for "Un Verano Sin Ti," Bad Bunny only managed to win one - but the highest among the three.

Bad Bunny snatched a 'Moonman' trophy for Artist of the Year, beating other Hot 100 chart leaders like Ed Sheeran, Drake, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Jack Harlow.

The Puerto Rican hitmaker's win was historic as he was the second Latin artist who won the award, next to Camila Cabello in 2018. Bad Bunny is also the first non-English singer to win the award.

He was also the sixth and third male artist who won the award, next to Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran, since the award was first given at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards.

However, Bad Bunny's win was not the only talking point on social media - it was also his "Titi Me Pregunto" performance at the Yankees Stadium.

Bad Bunny Controversial Kiss on 'Titi Me Pregunto' Performance at MTV VMAs

After he won artist of the year, Bad Bunny performed his hit "Titi Me Pregunto" along with a company of backup dancers. It was seemingly far from controversy.

However, in the latter part of the performance, Bad Bunny stole a quick smooch on one of his male backup dancers, surprising people on social media, Page Six reported.

"I REALLY GOT TO SEE BAD BUNNY KISS A MAN ON STAGE WITH MY OWN TWO EYES. WE LOVE BISEXUAL BENITO," a netizen tweeted.

"Bad Bunny just kissed a man on national TV. That's why I stan this man, no Harry styles queerbaiting shit," a fan also tweeted.

Some fans even thought that Bad Bunny's kiss was reminiscent of another MTV VMAs moment that took place almost 20 years ago - the infamous Madonna and Britney Spears kiss.

Britney and Madonna made waves at the time for the uncensored and surprising kiss on live television. Fans claimed that the kiss was an homage to that moment.

Meanwhile, some fans were not at all shocked by what they saw, as Bad Bunny has been quite expressive of breaking gender norms in fashion, music, and his lifestyle.

"Everybody has to feel comfortable with what they are and how they feel. Like, what defines a man, what defines being masculine, what defines being feminine? I really can't give clothes gender," the Puerto Rican singer earlier said in a GQ interview.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ivan Korrs

WATCH: VMAs 2022: Must-See Moments - Including Bad Bunny's KISS! - From Entertainment Tonight