Photos:: MTV Video Music Awards 2016 | Show highlights

Drake presents Rihanna with the the Video Vanguard Award after one of her numerous performances — scattered throughout the night — during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Beyonce accepts the female video award onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Beyonce, center, embraces U.S. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman as fellow gymnasts Madison Kocian, left, and Laurie Hernandez, right, look on after Beyonce was presented with the award for best female video.

Olympian gymnasts Madison Kocian, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez present best female video at the VMAs.

Rihanna performs in the center of a pink explosion at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Rihanna and a stage full of dancers perform in one of her many sets during the night.   (Jewel Samad / AFP/Getty Images )

Alicia Keys presents onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Chance the Rapper

Ariana Grande, center, performs on stage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj perform together.

Kanye West begins what will be a long speech preceding his new music video.

British model Naomi Campbell introduces a performer during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Sean “Diddy” Combs speaks onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Another set from Rihanna as she performs during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Shameik Moore and Jaden Smith present the award for collaboration.

Andrew Taggart of the Chainsmokers and Halsey perform at the VMAs.

Rita Ora and Ansel Elgort present onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Michael Phelps presents onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Rapper Future performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Ally Brooke, from left, Lauren Jauregui, Normani Hamilton, Dinah Jane Hansen and Camila Cabello of Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla Sign accept the award for best collaboration video for “Work From Home” at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Britney Spears and G-Eazy perform onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Britney Spears performing at the MTV VMAs.   (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press )

Jack Lawless, JinJoo Lee, Cole Whittle and Joe Jonas of DNCE accept the award for best new artist onstage at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.