Olivia Rodrigo began her MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) performance by singing her chart-topping hit single "Vampire" when all of a sudden, the spotlights began sparking, a curtain fell, and other stage equipment fell.
The audience, as well as other artists, sat back in horror as they watched her get escorted offstage by a stagehand, only to find out that the entire thing was staged, and was only a remake of her music video for "Vampire."
"Olivia Rodrigo recreating the vampire music video in her VMAs performance is beyond iconic she's an ACTRESS," a fan wrote.
Netizens Drag Selena Gomez Online
However, a clip of Selena Gomez reacting to the performance went viral online, causing fans to call the "Lose You to Love Me" singer out for her "negative" reaction, as she covered an ear.
"Selena's face while Olivia's performance says it all," a netizen wrote.
"Just like her bestie. Mean girls," another wrote.
"Why she hatin' on everyone. First Nicki, now Olivia? It's giving bitterness atp hunni."
Meanwhile, Gomez' fans defended the singer and her reaction, noting that Gomez was simply concerned and scared as she watched the stage malfunction, which exactly what Rodrigo intended.
"Selena Gomez's reaction was to the planned STAGE MALFUNCTION of Olivia Rodrigo's set," a fan wrote. "She was confused, scared, and worried for Olivia bc she didn't know it was planned. LEAVE SELENA ALONE. Stop trying to make her a villain & use her to attack Olivia. Leave both women alone."
READ MORE: Selena Gomez Genuinely Got Scared for Olivia Rodrigo: VMAs 2023 Prank Gone Right!
Olivia Rodrigo's Fans Explain MTV VMAs Performance Concept
Even Rodrigo's fans came out to explain what really happened during the "Drivers License" singer's performance and set.
"if I see another tweet from a middle-aged white man that says 'Olivia Rodrigo escorted off stage after stage malfunction,' [I swear to God], like how do you not realize that it's part of the performance when it's all cleaned up and she comes out 15 seconds later..."
"My favorite part of watching the VMAs was that I had been videoing the TV so I could look out for Taylor, and my boyfriend was trying to get my attention during Olivia Rodrigo's stage fire stunt like OMG CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS, and I'm just mouthing "it's fake" but he's sitting there silently in shock."
The performance was inspired by the singer's "Vampire" music video, wherein the set also fell apart, injuring Rodrigo, alluding to the lyrics of the song.
