People.com Entertainment Music Justin Bieber Performs 'Stay' and 'Ghost' After 'Flying' Into the 2021 MTV VMAs The singer returned to the MTV VMAs stage for the first time in six years By Rachel DeSantis Rachel DeSantis Instagram Twitter Rachel DeSantis is a writer/reporter covering music at PEOPLE. She has held various roles since joining the brand in 2019, and was previously a member of the human interest team. As a music writer, Rachel interviews everyone from rock-and-roll legends to up-and-coming stars for magazine feature stories and digital news stories. Rachel is based in New York City, and previously worked as an entertainment reporter at the New York Daily News after getting her start as an Entertainment Weekly intern. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 12, 2021 08:46 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Justin Bieber. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Justin Bieber is back in action at the MTV VMAs! At the 2021 show on Sunday night, the singer, 27, marked his first VMAs performance in six years by singing two of his hits. Bieber, who opted not to walk the red carpet, was the first performer of the night. He showcased his impressive pipes with a performance of "Stay" that saw him and collaborator The Kid Laroi, 18, fly down in harnesses to sing atop a mountain. The stars gave an energetic performance of their No. 1 hit, with Bieber wearing a pair of black overalls and a black hooded sweatshirt. The Kid Laroi, meanwhile, went for a complementary all-white look. Kid Laroi. Theo Wargo/Getty Justin Bieber. Bennett Raglin/Getty The two musicians wrapped their performance of "Stay" with a big hug. Then Bieber took the stage solo to sing "Ghost" off his latest album Justice. His wife, Hailey Bieber, was spotted in the audience grooving along to the tune while wearing a chic white turtleneck. Be sure to check out PEOPLE's MTV VMAs Awards coverage to get the latest news on music's big night. Later in the night, Bieber won best pop video for "Peaches" featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon. He is is the night's most-nominated artist; along with his best pop nomination, his seven nods include the two most coveted prizes, video of the year and artist of the year, and he is also up for best collaboration, best direction, best cinematography and best editing. The Canadian crooner has a long history at the VMAs starting with his very first appearance in 2009. Since then, he's won four Moon Person trophies and has earned more than 20 nominations. RELATED VIDEO: Doja Cat Makes MTV History Becoming First VMA Host to Also Be Nominated for Video of the Year He performed for the first time in 2010, singing a medley of "U Smile," "Baby," and "Somebody to Love," and most recently in 2015, when he broke down in tears after singing "What Do You Mean" and "Where Are U Now." The star has enjoyed a whirlwind 2021, and he recently topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the second time in eight months with "Stay." Justin Bieber Rocks SKIMS Thanks to Hilarious Billboard Mishap The song's success comes after the March release of Bieber's sixth studio album Justice, which spawned the No. 1 hit "Peaches." Justin Bieber. Theo Wargo/Getty Bieber also announced on Tuesday a documentary that will chronicle his 2020 New Year's Eve concert — his first since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The film, titled Justin Bieber: Our World, will premiere Oct. 8 on Amazon Prime. Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo Lead 2021 MTV VMA Nominations Bieber's performance on Sunday was one of many in a star-studded line-up of artists, including Camila Cabello, Kacey Musgraves, Chlöe, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Machine Gun Kelly, Shawn Mendes, Olivia Rodrigo and Twenty One Pilots. The 2021 MTV VMAs, hosted by Doja Cat, are airing live from the Barclays Center in New York City on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET.