Doja Cat: Billboard Q&A for Hosting MTV VMAs for 2021

The 2021 MTV VMAs are is will be broadcast live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sunday, September 12 at 5:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT. poster met with Doja Cat beforehand to talk about what it means to moderate the VMAs and who she grew up with.

What does it mean for you personally to host the VMAs?

I’m glad people enjoy my personality enough to have me on the show and as a host. It is wonderful. I don’t know what will happen until my hosting debut. I still don’t know the little quirks of it all or the pieces we’re going to make, but I know that I’m excited and glad that they are enjoying who I am.

Your video for “Kiss Me More” is nominated for Video of the Year and director Warren Fu even subtitled the clip Instagram, “Everyone is asking about our male Asian lead in Doja Cat and Szas ‘Kiss Me More’.” Why do you think Alex Landi was the perfect person to star in the visual?

He’s beautiful and he suited the role wonderfully. That’s pretty much it.

Did you grow up with VMAs?

Indisputable. We all did. It’s amazing to be a part of it. I spent so much time online when I was young – I watched the VMAs through clips of them or YouTube videos of them. I paid the most attention to the artists themselves and what they put on stage.

Can you name any of these particular artists?

Yes, [Lady] Gaga brought something amazing every time. Janet Jackson. Britney [Spears] did something amazing every time. Nicki Minaj always brought something interesting and compelling. A lot of very, very good artists have emerged and I grew up listening to them and watching them.

People know and love your personality – especially when fans interact with you on TikTok. How do you translate that into hosting the VMAs on stage?

I’m different live than in real life. Well, kind of not really. If I am alone and wander to myself, then I am alone and wander to myself. But when people are around, when there are stimuli around me, I react to them. It will be different than when I’m just alone, but not too much. I’m staying and I’m curious what that is.