Was it an act of cruelty to make Britney Spears take the stage right after Beyoncé? That's the question on Twitter's collective mind following Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards ceremony.
The VMAs were supposed to be a comeback moment for Britney Spears. Fans were looking forward to seeing Spears take the stage on the heels of releasing her new album, Glory. Then, on Sunday, reports started circulating that Beyoncé would be performing. And, of course, the rumors were true — midway through Sunday night's show, Bey took the stage for a mini- Lemonade medley. Queen B slayed with her provocative performance of songs including "Sorry," "Pray You Catch Me," and "Formation," along with powerful Lemonade -inspired visuals.
Then it was Britney's turn. And whoever scheduled Sunday evening's lineup obviously did not have Brit's best interests at heart, because her act paled in comparison to Bey's. Honestly, Bey had an impossible act to follow. This was only amplified by the fact that Britney was obviously lip-syncing. Viewers took to Twitter to lament (and laugh about) the unfairness of the situation with witticisms and memes galore.
"I'm honestly shocked Britney's people weren't able to negotiate her a better timeslot than 'Right After Beyonce,'" tweeted one person. "THE RUDEST THING I CAN THINK OF IS MAKING BRITNEY SPEARS PERFORM AFTER BEYONCE. MY GOD. WHO AT MTV HATES THAT WOMAN?" said an outraged Jezebel writer. "At least Britney got to go to a Beyoncé concert tonight," another joked. Here are some more of the best reactions.
You can't lip sync after THAT @Beyonce performance, @britneyspears. #VMAs
— Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo) August 29, 2016
I knew it was gonna be bad but after the Beyonce concert it was deemed super bad sorry Britney #VMAs pic.twitter.com/NqMarFl1IE
— Donté (@itsDonBon) August 29, 2016
Britney Spears going on after Beyonce is like having soup after a steak dinner.
— Gary Owen (@garyowencomedy) August 29, 2016
At least Britney got to go to a Beyoncé concert tonight 😔
— Caity Weaver (@caityweaver) August 29, 2016
Whoever made Britney Spears follow Beyoncé at the VMAs is evil. https://t.co/Uc505mnYml pic.twitter.com/ZpdDUES3jj
— someecards (@someecards) August 29, 2016
Poor Britney Spears had to perform after Beyoncé, what an uncomfortable performance lol
— Iman Almaskati (@imalmaskati) August 29, 2016
Beyonce giving us a whole experience and Britney's gonna come out dancing like this #VMAs pic.twitter.com/pEdyskF9yB
— JuJu Pliskova (@SageSation) August 29, 2016
Watching Britney's lip-syncing stiff az after @Beyonce got me like pic.twitter.com/UIS7VqVOfB
— Negra en la Cuidad (@BlackNTheCity) August 29, 2016
I'm honestly shocked Britney's people weren't able to negotiate her a better timeslot than "Right After Beyonce" #VMAs
— Erin Strecker (@ErinStrecker) August 29, 2016
Britney Spears did a really nice job at the VMAs for someone who isn't Beyoncé. https://t.co/2vhbsAuAHq pic.twitter.com/WQssVEPZ8b
— someecards (@someecards) August 29, 2016
I still can't believe Britney had to go after Beyoncé last night. pic.twitter.com/8s2B0h0aZE
— Inebriated Bromo (@inebriatedbromo) August 29, 2016
"So Britney you're up after Beyonce it'll be fine"
— Slade Sohmer (@Slade) August 29, 2016
MTV: "you'll be performing after @Beyonce"
— Shawn (@Its_Mrs_Walters) August 29, 2016
Britney: pic.twitter.com/kSrxq8Ygj2
THE RUDEST THING I CAN THINK OF IS MAKING BRITNEY SPEARS PERFORM AFTER BEYONCE. MY GOD. WHO AT MTV HATES THAT WOMAN? #VMAs
— KB (@KaraRBrown) August 29, 2016
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