Normani Tributes Janet Jackson During ‘Wild Side’ at 2021 VMAs

When it came time for Normani to deliver her performance at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, she decided to pull out all of the stops with a show-stopping rendition of “Wild Side.”

Opening up the song with a series of flashing reflections of herself and her backup dancers, Normani slipped into a white void, clad in a shining chrome top with silver lamé pants, showing off her otherworldly vocals and flawless dance moves.

As she reached the climax of the track, Normani decided to add in even more intrigue to her number and pay tribute to Janet Jackson’s iconic “Would You Mind” performance from her All For You tour. Teyana Taylor was wheeled out onto the stage strapped onto a metal board as Normani, seizing the moment, climbed up to meet her, and gave her mid-air lap dance before ending the number, hanging by her feet off of Taylor.

“Wild Side” wasn’t just Normani’s song of choice for her performance — the singer’s duet with Cardi B was nominated at the VMAs for song of the summer, alongside fellow performers like Justin Bieber, The Kid LAROI, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo and many others.