Overview

• On his podcast, Justin Hawkins said Dan Hawkins was “so triggered” when he posted that the VMAs performers were “a bunch of bellends,” framing the backlash as an emotional reaction.
• Justin criticized Yungblud’s stagecraft as “poseur” and “like what a male stripper would do,” while praising Nuno Bettencourt’s playing and questioning how the medley reflected Ozzy’s legacy.
• The VMAs segment on September 7 in Long Island featured Yungblud with Nuno Bettencourt and Adam Wakeman before Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined for Mama, I’m Coming Home.
• Hawkins cast the dust‑up as a wider age‑and‑authenticity debate, arguing TV‑friendly tributes can feel “whitewashed” to musicians who grew up with Ozzy’s outsider ethos.
• Coverage notes Dan Hawkins’ Instagram critique went viral, and as of these reports there has been no substantive public response from the tribute performers.