Miley Cyrus stole the show at the 2013 VMAs, but this year, for her big moment, the suddenly low-key superstar ceded the spotlight to someone else. After winning Video of the Year for her smash hit "Wrecking Ball," Cyrus let her homeless friend Jesse accept the award.
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"I am accepting this award for the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the United States who are starving, lost and scared for their lives right now. I know this because I'm one of those people," he explained to the audience, reading nervously from notes.
"I've survived in shelters all over the city. I've cleaned your hotel rooms, I've been an extra in your movies, I've been an extra in your life. Although I've been invisible to you I have a lot of the same dreams that have brought me to you tonight," he continued.
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A clearly emotional Cyrus sat on a ledge in front of Katy Perry and Sam Smith during the moving speech. Jimmy Fallon, on hand to give out the award, held the microphone for Jesse as he read from a few pieces of paper.
Jesse and Jimmy Fallon
"Los Angeles entertainment capital has the largest population of homeless youth in America. The music industry will make over $7 billion dollars this year and outside these doors is 54,000 human beings who have no place to call home."
Jesse then asked viewers to visit Cyrus' Facebook page if they wanted to "make a powerful change in the world." A video of Cyrus speaking out on the cause was posted soon after.
Cyrus hinted that she had a special surprise for the live show while chatting with Pretty Little Liars' Lucy Hale and Sway on the red carpet. "There's something that I'm doing that is really special that I'm really excited about," she said. "I'm not going to say anything because I don't want it to get canned. I think it is going to leave a different kind of impression."
Watch a clip of the moving speech now.
