Current:Home > Invest2024 MTV VMAs: Flavor Flav Crowns Jordan Chiles With This Honor After Medal Controversy -Blueprint Money Mastery
2024 MTV VMAs: Flavor Flav Crowns Jordan Chiles With This Honor After Medal Controversy
View
Date:2025-04-14 18:56:46
Jordan Chiles may not have an individual Olympic bronze medal anymore, but she does have a different precious keepsake, thanks to Flavor Flav.
"Jordan, I know they tried to take your medal away from you," the Public Enemy rapper told the gymnast at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards when they took the stage to present Best Collaboration, "but you know what, I got you something that they can't take away from you."
And with that...wait for it...he placed a huge bedazzled clock around her neck as she shook her head in disbelief.
"Wow," said Jordan, rolling with the off-the-cuff presentation. "I don't even know what to say here! Thank you so much." (See the full list of winners at the 2024 VMAs.)
As Flavor Flav doffed his ballcap and put on a 2024 Paris Olympics beanie and changed sunglasses, much to the audience's delight, she added, "He's stylish—stylish."
Back on the mic, he noted, "Yeah, as you all know I am an official sponsor for the United States Olympic women's water polo team. So that's why I wanted to turn this into an Olympic moment, Jordan, alright?"
But wait, there was more.
He leaned in, confidentially like, and added, "I got your prize money, too. I got that for you...I just wanted to surprise you with that. I didn't want to say nothin' to you backstage, but Jordan, you did your thing. Congratulations, you deserve everything."
Jordan could only reply, "What an honor, Flav."
She was pretty speechless otherwise, but luckily they had the first award of the night to hand out: Best Collaboration to Taylor Swift and Post Malone for "Fortnight."
After winning team gold with Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade McCrary and Hezly Rivera at the Paris Olympics, Jordan seemingly finished fifth in the floor exercise—only to be vaulted into bronze position thanks to a score inquiry by the U.S. team.
However, the Romanian team, on behalf of Ana Barbosu, the gymnast who tumbled out of medal position, disputed the decision and, upon closer investigation, it was ruled that the appeal came on Jordan's behalf seconds too late to stick.
And with that, she was no longer a bronze medalist.
"I have no words," Jordan wrote in a message shared to her Instagram Aug. 15. "This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey."
But she's still golden in Flavor Flav's eyes.
See more candid moments at the 2024 MTV VMAs:
veryGood! (7143)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- ‘Extreme’ Changes Underway in Some of Antarctica’s Biggest Glaciers
- You’ll Flip Over Simone Biles’ Second Wedding to Jonathan Owens in Mexico
- Below Deck Alum Kate Chastain Addresses Speculation About the Father of Her Baby
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Today’s Climate: July 13, 2010
- K-9 dog dies after being in patrol car with broken air conditioning, police say
- After State Rejects Gas Pipeline Permit, Utility Pushes Back. One Result: New Buildings Go Electric.
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Unemployment aid applications jump to highest level since October 2021
Ranking
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Flash Deal: Get 2 It Cosmetics Mascaras for Less Than the Price of 1
- Arctic Heat Surges Again, and Studies Are Finding Climate Change Connections
- Most teens who start puberty suppression continue gender-affirming care, study finds
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- A woman struggling with early-onset Alzheimer's got a moment of grace while shopping
- Expanding Medicaid is popular. That's why it's a key issue in some statewide midterms
- Wildfire smoke impacts more than our health — it also costs workers over $100B a year. Here's why.
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Get $200 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Skincare for Just $38
Today’s Climate: July 15, 2010
Abortion is on the ballot in Montana. Voters will decide fate of the 'Born Alive' law
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
A $2.5 million prize gives this humanitarian group more power to halt human suffering
Arctic Heat Surges Again, and Studies Are Finding Climate Change Connections
Precious memories: 8 refugees share the things they brought to remind them of home