They might not be performing on the main broadcast, but rising pop stars Austin Mahone and Ariana Grande still received an enormous opportunity to shine Sunday night.
The duo each performed their hits on MTV’s red carpet pre-show, taking advantage of an enthusiastic Brooklyn crowd and an ample television audience.
Whether the performances will generate meaningful buzz remains to be seen, but early reviews suggest only one made the most of the opportunity. While Grande received social media praise for her voice, Mahone’s performance of “What About Love” was largely panned by viewers.
Photos from the red carpet, including looks at Mahone, Grande and stars like Miley Cyrus, Rita Ora, Katy Perry and Fifth Harmony, follow: