Olivia Rodrigo's stage malfunction startles VMA audience

While performing for the MTV Video Music Awards, pop singer's planned stage malfunction shocked celebrity-filled audience.

Rodrigo during the first song of her VMA set, “Vampire.” The singer looks confused as sparks begin to appear on the stage. (Credit: MTV)

Olivia Rodrigo celebrated the release of her sophomore album “Guts” with a performance on Monday night at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Rodrigo began the set sitting in a forest-like scenery, singing her single off the album “Vampire.” As she reached the bridge of the song, she began to move around the stage, but seemingly became uncomfortable as fireworks went off behind her.

As the stage continued to “malfunction,” Rodrigo looked around frantically before a curtain fell onto the stage, a light fixture seemed to loosen, and a stage worker ushered her off quickly.

The audience, including celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini, were visibly concerned about Rodrigo, with intense looks of confusion.

Quickly, the concern was put at ease when Rodrigo reappeared on stage, along with dancers, to sing her final song in her set, “Get Him Back!” The audience and viewers at home then realized that the stage malfunction was planned, and was replicated from the “Vampire” music video that Rodrigo released in late June of this year.

After Rodgrio’s two-song set was complete, she was met with a thundering standing ovation from the audience.