Olivia Rodrigo leaves Selena Gomez shocked with 'stage malfunction' during her performance at VMAs

Olivia Rodrigo left Selena Gomez in complete shock after her rather chaotic performance at MTV's Video Music Awards on Tuesday evening (12 September).

It's never the VMAs without any drama is it? And last night's award show was no different.

From a back stage 'argument' between Megan Thee Stallion and NSYNC to risqué outfit choices, the 2023 VMAs really did have it all.

At the top of the show in New Jersey, Olivia Rodrigo belted out a bunch of her latest hits from her album, Guts.

It was the 20-year-old's 'Vampire' performance that really made the headlines overnight though, as Rodrigo recreated parts of the music video.

Fans of the singer will be well aware of how chaotic the music video actually is - and it is safe to say that correlated on-stage at the VMAs.

MTV

The performance, which consisted of a lot of shrubbery and blazing sparklers, saw a bunch of pyrotechnics seemingly malfunctioning.

The singer was suddenly rushed off stage by a security guard, as a red curtain fell from the ceiling, causing a lot of worried faces in the audience.

While it all seemed pretty concerning at the time, it was later confirmed the reason for the 'stage malfunction' was all pre-planned.

Shortly after Rodrigo was ushered off stage, a blue curtain dropped in front of the previously collapsed stage.

But that wasn't the end of it, as the 'good 4 u' hit-maker then reappeared accompanied by a group of dancers who were all wearing pink pleated skirts and crop tops.

Rodrigo then got into her second track of the night - certainly the best way to reintroduce herself to the concerned crowd.

As all the chaos was unfolding though, the camera panned to many famous faces and their reactions in the audience.

Perhaps the most notable one was Selena Gomez, who was left looking rather shocked by what was going on on-stage.

Gomez looked visibly concerned for her fellow singer, with one viewer pointing out on X: "The way Selena Gomez was concerned for Olivia Rodrigo during her performance for 'Vampire' 😭😂."

MTV

Others noticed that Gomez put her hand to her ear during the performance, as one person penned: "Not Selena Gomez covering her ears during Olivia Rodrigo performance."

But many have flocked to social media and defended the 'Love You to Lose Me' singer after the clip went viral.

The 'Selena Gomez News' X page posted: "Selena Gomez’s reaction was to the planned STAGE MALFUNCTION of Olivia Rodrigo’s set. 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."

While another user remarked: "Exactly. There was another tweet about her not cheering on Demi's performance too like? Leave her alone."