Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

RuPaul and Milton Berle Had One of the Most Awkward MTV VMA Moments Ever

Their 1993 presenter bit started with scripted jokes, then veered into ad-libs, insults, and a visibly uncomfortable onstage exchange.

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

For the tenth annual MTV Video Music Awards, which aired live on September 2, 1993, somebody came up with the idea of having veteran comedian Milton Berle present an award with RuPaul. By RuPaul’s own admission, the pairing made sense on paper, given Berle’s long history of dressing in drag. However, according to the Drag Race star’s 1995 memoir Lettin’ It All Hang Out, things got off to a rocky start between the two because Berle reportedly got a little handsy during their rehearsal, and allegedly grabbed RuPaul’s fake breasts as soon as........

© Vice