The MTV Video Music Awards have seen some of the hottest couples walk its carpet.
Yet, many of those “it couples” of days gone by have since called it quits, making pictures from the annual event’s red carpet all worthy time capsule-worthy.
Of course, the 2024 ceremony is sure to have its own slew of couples fans are hoping will walk the carpet, including newer pairings such as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce and Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Partridge alongside music’s reigning power couple Beyoncé and Jay Z. (At this year’s ceremony, the “Anti-Hero” singer leads the pack with 10 nominations. See who else is nominated here.)
Yet, there have been a number of iconic duos at the MTV event over the years.
There are the couples everyone can remember: Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears attended the VMAs twice, including one year before their infamous breakup, while Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez attended together in 2010 and 2011, more than a decade before the “Boyfriend” singer would welcome his first child with wife Hailey Bieber.
Then there are those that you might have forgotten about.
Though while Katy Perry and Riff Raff’s romance may have been short-lived, their all-denim ensembles worn to the 2014 VMAs (an homage to Britney and Justin’s iconic looks) will live in memories forever.
Speaking of Katy, her now-partner Orlando Bloom attended the VMAs in 2005 alongside then-girlfriend Kirsten Dunst—though the appearance was a one-time occurrence, as their romance reportedly did not last until the 2006 ceremony.
And those are just some of the many A-listers who have attended the MTV Video Music Awards with lovers long-gone.
Keep reading for all the former couples you may have forgotten about, and tune into this year’s ceremony on Sept. 11 live from UBS Arena in New York.
Justin Timberlake & Britney Spears
While they didn't wear their iconic denim outfits, the pop world's then-reigning king and queen did delight fans regardless with their joint appearance at the 2000 MTV VMAs.
Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber
We would be bad liars if we said we didn't miss this couple just a bit...they broke up in late 2017 after dating on and off for about six years. Here they are at the 2011 MTV VMAs.
Riff Raff & Katy Perry
Speaking of denim, looks like these two paid homage to Britney and JT at the 2014 MTV VMAs.
Ariana Grande & Pete Davidson
A couple of months before they ended their whirlwind relationship and engagement, the pop star and Saturday Night Live performer made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2018 MTV VMAs.
Pete Davidson & Cazzie David
The SNL alum and Larry David's daughter dated for two years before splitting in 2018. But first they attended the 2017 MTV VMAs together.
Noah Cyrus & Lil Xan
Miley Cyrus' little sister and the rapper made their red carpet debut at the 2018 MTV VMAs, weeks after they began dating...and weeks before they broke up.
Taylor Swift & Joe Jonas
Their's was a short-lived love story—the two dated for three months until October 2008. During that time, they squeezed in an MTV VMAs date, where they were also joined by his Jonas Brothers band mates, Nick Jonas and Kevin Jonas.
Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey
The then-spouses seemed like they wanted to leave each other forever when they attended the 2004 MTV VMA red carpet. They also attended the 2005 show together before calling it quits a year later.
Kristen Stewart & Michael Angarano
A year before she dated her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson, the actress (now wed to screenwriter Dylan Meyer) was in a relationship with her Speak co-star. They attended the 2008 MTV VMAs together.
Wiz Khalifa & Amber Rose
The model and the rapper attended the 2014 MTV VMAs together, one month before she filed for divorce.
Kanye West & Alexis Phifer
In 2006, years before he married Kim Kardashian, Kanye was engaged to the fellow fashion designer. They attended the 2007 MTV VMAs and ended their six-year relationship the following year.
Nick Jonas & Olivia Culpo
Before the musician was burnin' up for now-wife Priyanka Chopra and she was teammed up with NFL running back Christian McCaffrey, they attended the 2014 ceremony as a couple.
Iggy Azalea & Nick Young
The rapper and her then-boyfriend attended the 2014 MTV VMAs. They got engaged a year later and split in 2016.
Eva Longoria & Nelly
It was getting a bit "Hot In Herre" when Longoria posed with the musician at the 2005 event.
Kanye West & Amber Rose
We're gonna let you finish scrolling through, just wanted to let you know that a year before West and his then-girlfriend ended their two-year romance, they turned up at the 2009 show so he could borrow the mic from Taylor Swift.
Kirsten Dunst & Orlando Bloom
The two celebrities starred in Elizabethtown together, and also shined on the red carpet at the MTV VMAs, the year they reportedly dated in 2005.
Fiona Apple & David Blaine
These two were spreading some magic before the 1997 MTV VMAs. At this ceremony, Apple gave her famous "the world is bulls--t" acceptance speech.
Ashlee Simpson & Ryan Cabrera
"On the Way Down" to Simpson and Cabrera finding their forever partners, they attended the 2004 MTV VMAs.
Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz
In 2008, the star popped up at the award show again on the arm of her then-husband.
Hilary Duff & Joel Madden
Sure, this romance is so yesterday, but at the time of the 2005 VMAs, these two were living the lifestyles of the rich and famous together.
Pamela Anderson & Tommy Lee
This former Mr. and Mrs. made quite the splash on the MTV VMA red carpet in 1999.
Cher & Richie Sambora
The pop icon and Bon Jovi's former guitarist stepped out together at the 1989 MTV VMAs when they were a new couple. They broke up the following year.
Pamela Anderson & Kid Rock
In 2001, the actress was back at the iconic show with a new rock star.
Paris Hilton & Benji Madden
While their relationship lasted less than a year, this duo managed to hit the 2008 MTV VMAs red carpet together before their split two months later.
Sarah Jessica Parker & Robert Downey Jr.
Before she wed Matthew Broderick, the Sex and the City alum was going steady with the Avengers star. Before they ended their seven-year romance in 1991, they attended the 1990 MTV VMAs together.
Brad Pitt & Christina Applegate
As the story goes, these two went on one date and chose the 1989 MTV VMAs as the setting. However, she left mid-date for a mystery man and the two never went out again.