Why Billie Eilish Missed the 2024 MTV VMAs 

Despite receiving four nominations at the 2024 MTV VMAs, Billie Eilish decided to skip the ceremony. But as it turns out, she had a  good reason for doing so. 

Don't call Billie Eilish the bad guy for missing the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. 

The singer was one of the most nominated artists at the Sept. 11 ceremony, which featured shocking performances from  Sabrina Carpenter, Shawn Mendes, Chapel Lawn, Eminem, and presenter Megan Thee Stallion, but was conspicuously absent from the celebration. 

So why the no-show? "Their world tour starts in two weeks," an industry source told E! News on Sept. 12, "She's been preparing extensively for this." 

Though Billie had to miss the VMAs, there was no shortage of star power at New York's UBS Arena as Taylor Swift swept the night, winning seven awards, including Video of the Year. Katy Perry also created a perfect storm with a career-spanning performance before being presented  with the Video Vanguard Award by longtime favorite Orlando Bloom. 

Billie will be touring in support of her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. The tour of the same name kicks off  in Quebec City, Canada, on September 29. From there she'll travel North America until Dec. 17, then head Down Under to perform in Australia in February and March. After that, she'll hit Sweden for a tour  in April, with more shows across Europe through July. 

The 22-year-old hitmaker earned two VMA nominations in the Song of the Summer category, one for her hit "Birds of a Feather" and another for  her collaboration with Charli XCX, "Guess," plus a nomination for Video of the Year for "The Lunch." Though absent from the event, she won a Video for Good award for her 2023 Barbie Doll soundtrack single, "What Was I Made For?", as well as a 2024 Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.