Why Billie Eilish Skipped the 2024 MTV VMAs

Despite nabbing four nominations at the 2024 MTV VMAs, Billie Eilish opted to skip the ceremony—but it turns out she had a very good reason.

2024 MTV VMAs: Why Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande Were Missing From the MTV Video Music Awards

Don’t call Billie Eilish the bad guy for skipping the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.

The singer was among the most-nominated artists at the Sept. 11 ceremony—which featured electrifying performances from the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Shawn Mendes, Chappell Roan, Eminem and host Megan Thee Stallion—but she was noticeably absent from the festivities.

So, why the no-show? “With her world tour starting in two weeks,” an industry source told E! News Sept. 12, “she was deep in preparation for that.”

While Billie had to sit out the VMAs, there was no shortage of star power in New York’s UBS Arena as Taylor Swift dominated the night with seven wins, including Video of the Year. Katy Perry also created a perfect storm with a career-spanning performance, before longtime love Orlando Bloom presented her with the Video Vanguard award.

As for Billie, she’s set to hit the road in support of her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, with a tour of the same name kicking off Sept. 29 in Quebec City, Canada. From there, she’ll trek across North America through Dec. 17, before heading down under for Australian dates in February and March. After that, she’ll take the tour to Sweden in April and continue to play shows across Europe through July.

The 22-year-old hitmaker scored two VMA nominations in the Song of the Summer category—one for her hit “Birds of a Feather” and another for “Guess,” her collab with Charli XCX—as well as a nod for Video of the Year for “Lunch.” Despite missing the event, she did come away with the Video for Good award for her 2023 Barbie soundtrack single, “What Was I Made For?,” which also took home the 2024 Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Keep reading to see all the 2024 MTV VMA red carpet fashion that had everyone’s heads turning.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Addison Rae

In Miss Claire Sullivan

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Taylor Swift

In Christian Dior

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Megan Thee Stallion

In Nicole + Felicia

Valerie Terranova/FilmMagic

Katy Perry

In Who Decides War

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Lil Nas X

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Sabrina Carpenter

In vintage Bob Mackie

Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Megan Thee Stallion

Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Camila Cabello

In Tony Ward

Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Halle Bailey

In Sophie Couture

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Chappell Roan

In Y/Project

Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Paris Hilton

In Celia Kritharioti

Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV

Shawn Mendes

In Dolce & Gabbana

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Halsey

In vintage Versace

ANGELA WEISS / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES

Miranda Lambert

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Coco Jones

In Lever Couture and Jared Atelier jewelry

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Lisa

In Mugler

Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Lenny Kravitz

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Colton Haynes

Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV

Karol G

In Véronique Leroy

Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV

Anitta

In Dolce & Gabbana

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Tinashe

In Rick Owens

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Alessandra Ambosio

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Rauw Alejandro

In Saint Laurent

Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV

Tyler Posey

Jamie McCarthy / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Big Sean

Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

GloRilla

Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV

Chanel West Coast

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Lauren Sorrentino & Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino

Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / GETTY IMAGES

Tyla

In Area 

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Jordan Chiles

In Off-White