MTV VMAs may drop Michael Jackson's name from Video Vanguard Award

Page Six

Jennifer Lopez may be the final recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award after being honored last year. The first Vanguard Award was presented to David Bowie at the inaugural VMAs in 1984. In 1991, the award was renamed in honor of Jackson, who was presented with the award in 1988. “There’s a lot of heated discussion at the network about how to handle the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award this year, and it’s getting ugly,” a source tells Page Six. “There’s talk about if they should change the name, or get rid of it altogether. (There’s also talk) about who would pre­sent it and who would accept it. It’s a mess.” HBO's Leaving Neverland documentary has made Jackson's name toxic since airing earlier this year. Page Six points out that the Vanguard Award isn't handed out annually, which may give MTV a chance to buy some time.