Pop star Justin Bieber has bagged the most nominations for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. The singer is closely followed by Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, BTS, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X and Giveon. Also featuring prominently in this year’s list of nominees is first-timer Olivia Rodrigo.

Bieber has received seven nods, including video of the year and best direction for his song ‘POPSTAR’.

For ‘Holy’, Bieber has received the artist of the year and best cinematography nomination. He also has the best pop song, best collaboration and best editing nod for ‘Peaches’.

Megan Thee Stallion, with six nominations, is right behind Bieber. Most of her nods are from her hit song ‘WAP’. The categories that she has been nominated in for ‘WAP’ are – artist of the year, video of the year, best hip-hop song, best collaboration.

Megan Thee Stallion also has a second nomination in the best hip-hop song category for her work on Lil Baby’s ‘On Me (The Remix)’.

Eilish, BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Giveon, Lil Nas X and Rodrigo each have five nominations. Bieber and Megan Thee Stallion will compete with Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift for artist of the year.

The songs which make up the video of the year nominations are:

– ‘WAP’ by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion

– ‘Popstar’ by DJ Khaled featuring Drake and Justin Bieber

– ‘Kiss Me More’ by Doja Cat featuring SZA

– ‘Bad Habits’ by Ed Sheeran

– ‘MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)’ by Lil Nas X

– ‘Save Your Tears’ by The Weeknd.

The 2021 Video Music Awards will return to New York City, airing from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sept. 12. The show will simulcast across CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, VH1 and The CW Network.