"She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old." #VMAs https://t.co/tw6eGKEPsx
— MTV (@MTV) August 29, 2016
After four rousing performances at the 2016 MTV VMAs on Sunday, Rihanna received her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at the end of the night. Drake took the stage to present the prestigious award to Rihanna, recounting the first time he meet the pop star during the video shoot for "Pon de Replay" in 2005.
"We love the music which can change styles from album to album, we love the videos which change their artistic vision from year to year, but, most of all, we love the woman who hasn't changed since day one," Drake said, holding the award in his hands. He continued, "She's someone I've been in love since I was 22 years old."
"My success is not my own. It's my family's. It's my fans'. It's my country's." - @rihanna#VMAs https://t.co/g4glV2OEJL
— MTV (@MTV) August 29, 2016
After accepting the award, Rihanna addressed the crowd: "When I think about the vanguard award, and receiving this tonight, I think about my country. They’re gonna be so proud. This is the first Vanguard award to land anywhere close to my country. This started out as my dream. But now its my family’s, it's my fans', it’s my country’s, it’s the Caribbean as a whole, it’s women's, it’s Black women's."
Folks watching the VMAs at home were very excited about the public display of loving from both Drake and Rihanna and reacted enthusiastically. Although, the internet can't seem to come to a consensus about whether it was a beautiful moment, or whether Drake got curved.
Drake setting the bar so high for next year's Valentines
— Ayesha A. Siddiqi (@AyeshaASiddiqi) August 29, 2016
So weird that Drake isn't saving his wedding vows till the ceremony #VMAS
— Ira Madison III (@ira) August 29, 2016
I know that look in Drake's eyes. That's real.
— Vann R. Newkirk II (@fivefifths) August 29, 2016
HOW COME YOU DONT TALK ABOUT ME THE WAY DRAKE TALKS ABOUT RIH pic.twitter.com/oPVmdNeznl
— KIRK✨ (@K1RK69) August 29, 2016
Drake giving so much hope to a whole generation of Jewish nerds
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) August 29, 2016
Drake: I've been in love with you since I was 22 years old
— Jasmine Sanders (@JasMoneyRecords) August 29, 2016
Rihanna: Thank you
"Thank you Drake for that speech" pic.twitter.com/RlptZEjdpA
— Shennessy. (@ShenaeCurry) August 29, 2016
People laughing at Drake like we aren't all in unrequited love with Rihanna.
— Alana Massey (@AlanaMassey) August 29, 2016
Drake and Rihanna backstage. #Vmas pic.twitter.com/Sciswlq7fM
— Word On Road (@WordOnRd) August 29, 2016