Two days later and fans are still gushing over Normani‘s epic getdown at this year’s MTV VMAs (August 26).
Not only coming as her inaugural solo outing on the ceremony, the high octane showing also provided the debut televised performance of her official debut solo single, ‘Motivation.’ Bringing to life choreography found aboard its Dave Meyers-directed visual (which can be seen by clicking here), the official ‘Motivation’ clip boasts homage to a number of stage-blazers who have inspired Normani over the years including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Britney Spears.
The latter, whose basketball court scene from her own debut music video – ‘Baby One More Time’ – can be seen referenced in the former Fifth Harmony darling’s video also served as inspiration for her staging at the 2019 MTV VMAs, as revealed in a recent interview.
Dishing with our friends at Entertainment Tonight recently, look inside to hear Normani reflect on the ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ that went into the planning of the performance and how she looked to Miss Spears’ catalog of epic VMA showings as a muse:
In addition to capturing Normani’s first time seeing her 2019 performance, the interview above also sees her:
Reflecting on the performance:
“Oh my goodness, people don’t have any idea!” she explained. “It’s three minutes I’m up there on stage, but they don’t have the slightest idea of the hard work, blood, sweat, tears — I literally have bruises on my knees [from] however many times I did that split. [My choreographer] is incredible. He pushes me to the fullest of my capacity,” she shared. “I swear that man thinks I can do anything and everything. I’m like, ‘You really think that?’ And he’s like, ‘Because you can!'”
On how her career moves have gotten her to this point:
“I’ve worked incredibly hard seven, eight long years in [preparation for] this moment and it’s just really beautiful because it’s also the beginning,” she shared. “So, I’m just really, really grateful for the opportunity.”
On preparing for this performance:
‘I study. I watched Britney performances (the one with the snake), the most iconic moments and I feel like the VMAs is unlike any other show,” she added. “This is where the biggest moments in pop culture happen and the fact that I got to be a part of that tonight is really crazy.”
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Did you miss the performances from the 2019 MTV VMAs? Click here to watch them.