DESPERATE Johnny Depp became a laughing stock during his first major TV appearance in five years at the MTV VMAs, as he begged for a job.

The actor had his face superimposed on to the event’s Moonman mascot.

He joked about how he was prepared to do anything for work, after his victory in the defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

At the ceremony in New Jersey on Sunday night, he said: “I just want you guys to know that I’m available for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, weddings, wakes, any old thing you need. Anything, you name it.

“And you know what? I needed the work.”

In a controversial move by producers following the allegations of domestic abuse against him, which he has always denied, LL Cool J’s song Mama Said Knock You Out was played straight after one of his skits.

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Depp lost his “wife-beater” libel case against The Sun in 2020. One viewer said: “Johnny Depp showing up at the VMAs for funny cameos is really f***ing gross.”

Another tweeted: “Johnny Depp being at the VMAs making jokes is exactly why abuse victims don’t come forward and why the toxic culture of intimate partner violence persists.

“The entertainment industry is truly irredeemable.”

Last night, Amber’s sister Whitney slammed MTV for featuring the actor in the ceremony. She wrote on Instagram: “MTV you’re disgusting and clearly desperate!

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“I really hope that none of the people that made this call have daughters.”

Aside from Depp’s strange cameos, it was a good night for US rapper Jack Harlow, who performed his song First Class with Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie and scooped the most awards with four.

That single was named Song of the Summer, while he picked up three further prizes — Best Collaboration, Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects, for his tune Industry Baby with Lil Nas X.

Taylor Swift was close behind with three wins, including the coveted Video of the Year prize, making her the first person to win it three times, having previously done so in 2015 and 2019.

The event was hosted by Jack alongside Nicki Minaj and LL Cool J from the Prudential Center. Britain’s Harry Styles won Album of the Year for Harry’s House, while his song As It Was won Best Pop and Best

Cinematography. He could not be there due to his tour.

Other performances came from Eminem and Snoop Dogg, Blackpink, Lizzo and Bad Bunny, who won Artist of the Year.

Madonna wig night for family

MADONNA skipped the ceremony to throw her twin daughters a tenth birthday bash – complete with wigs for guests.

The Dress You Up singer packed a room at her US home with multi-coloured hairpieces so revellers could glam up to celebrate with her kids Stella and Estere.

Despite missing out on a win in the Longform Video category for her Madame X film, she made sure they had a magical time by hiring illusionist David Blaine for the party, which was also attended by her pal Stella McCartney.

A source said: “Family is so important for Madonna so, although it would have made sense for her to be promoting her compilation album Finally Enough Love at the VMAs, she turned down the chance.

“The most Madonna-esque touch at the party was the room with multi-coloured wigs for party-goers. She loves a quirky twist.”

Swift suprises with new album

TAYLOR SWIFT scooped top prize of the night- then stole the show by announcing a new album.

Accepting the Video of the Year gong for All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version), she said her tenth studio record, Midnight's will be out on October 21.

Taylor, who also won in the Best Longform Video and Best Direction categories, said: "I had sort of made up my mind that if you were going to be this generous and give us this, it might be a fun moment to tell you that my brand-new album comes out October 21.

"And I will tell you more at midnight."

The singer, who changed from her dazzling dress into blue hotpants, later took to Instagram to reveal details of the 13-track album, which is her first record since 2020's Evermore.

Peppers in tribute to Foos' tragic Hawk

THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS dedicated their Global Icon award to Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins, five months after his death.

The band’s drummer Chad Smith said of his fellow percussionist: “There’s another musical icon, global icon – his name is my brother Taylor Hawkins.

“I want to dedicate this to Taylor and his family. I love them, and I miss him every day. Fly on, Hawk. Fly on, brother.”

The group, left, performed their recent single Black Summer as well as 2002’s Can’t Stop, with Taylor’s name written inside a drawing of a hawk on their drum kit.

Taylor was found dead in a hotel room in Colombia in March, aged 50.

Lil Nas X shows off

LIL NAS X made quite an impression when he went topless in this extraordinary black outfit made from “upcycled feathers”.

He won three gongs for his song Industry Baby and topped the best-dressed lists thanks to the bold outfit, which was designed by Harris Reed.

Now he is gearing up to return with new music following the success of his 2021 No1 debut album, Montero.

Who won what

• Video of the Year: TAYLOR SWIFT – All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)
• Song of the Year: BILLIE EILISH – Happier Than Ever
• Album of the Year: HARRY STYLES – Harry’s House
• Artist of the Year: BAD BUNNY
• Best Collaboration: LIL NAS X & JACK HARLOW – Industry Baby
• Best Longform Video: TAYLOR SWIFT – All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)
• Best New Artist: DOVE CAMERON
• Song of Summer: JACK HARLOW – First Class
• Video for Good: LIZZO – About Damn Time
• Best K-Pop: LISA – Lalisa
• Best Hip-Hop: NICKI MINAJ ft LIL BABY – Do We Have a Problem?
• Best Alternative: MANESKIN – I Wanna Be Your Slave
• Best Rock: RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – Black Summer
• Best Latin: ANITTA – Envolver
• Best Pop: HARRY STYLES – As It Was
• Best R&B: THE WEEKND – Out Of Time
• Best Group: BTS

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