Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 8, 2025 · Entertainment

Shade at the VMAs: Frankie Grande's Reaction to Tate McRae

Ariana Grande's brother Frankie Grande was accused of throwing shade at Tate McRae at the 2025 MTV VMAs on Sunday

VMAS SHOCKER: Ariana Grande's Brother Frankie Caught Throwing SHADE at Tate McRae!

The 2025 MTV VMAs were filled with excitement and surprises, but none as juicy as the one involving Ariana Grande's brother, Frankie Grande. The Broadway star, known for his sassy attitude and sharp tongue, was caught on camera making a face of disgust while watching Tate McRae perform at the prestigious music awards show.

The 22-year-old pop sensation, Tate McRae, was in the middle of her medley performance when Frankie's expression changed from a neutral one to a scowl. Fans quickly took to social media to share clipped footage of the moment, and boy, did it spark some drama!

He appeared to be scowling and shaking his head while watching the 22-year-old pop singer perform a medley of her two hit singles Revolving Door and Sports Car

Frankie's reaction was met with a mix of gasps, giggles, and gaslighting, as fans speculated about what could have caused his sudden change in expression. Some accused him of being "dramatic" and "giving hater energy," while others defended him, saying he might just be reacting to the intense flashing lights on stage.

The Great Shade Debate

But before we dive into the drama, let's set the scene: Tate McRae was in the midst of her performance when Frankie's face contorted into a look that could only be described as "confused-disgusted-what-is-this?" The audience was captivated by her energy and talent, but it seems Frankie wasn't too impressed.

In a backstage POV camera, the Broadway star, 42, was seen staring up at the stage with flashing lights and music playing in the background

The drama unfolded on social media, with fans sharing their thoughts on Frankie's reaction. Some claimed he was "unimpressed" because of his vocal powerhouse sister Ariana Grande, while others speculated that he might be a bit...envious? After all, Tate McRae is the latest pop sensation to take the music world by storm!

Damage Control Mode

But it seems Frankie wasn't about to let the drama get out of hand. In a shocking turn of events, he was seen praising Tate McRae's performance on the VMAs Celeb POV stream! "I love Tate McRae," he gushed. "I'm obsessed with her. She's beautiful and her makeup artist killed it today!"

Afterwards, fans took to social media to share clipped footage from the moment before later he was seen sharing his thoughts about McRae's performance. Many social media users pointed out his reaction and accused him of being 'dramatic' and 'giving hater' energy

Fans were torn between their initial reactions and Frankie's sudden change of heart. Some accused him of doing "damage control" after seeing the backlash on social media, while others defended his newfound admiration for Tate McRae.

The Meet-and-Greet Moment

In a bizarre twist, fans shared a clip of Ariana meeting Tate McRae backstage, with Frankie getting up to shake her hand enthusiastically. The moment seemed sweet and genuine, but it also sparked more questions: was he being sincere in his praise, or was this just damage control?

McRae took the stage at the award ceremony to give a titillating performance in a stripped down ensemble and dance-heavy medley of Sports Car and Revolving Door

The Aftermath

As the drama unfolded on social media, fans couldn't help but weigh in on the controversy. Some joked that Frankie saw Tate McRae "come for Ariana's crown" and is now mad about it. Others accused him of being a "hater" (ouch!).

But amidst all the drama, one fan had a clever observation: "You know how bad you have to be for Frankie Grande to not gag about a pop girl." Ouch, burn!

Later, he seemed to confirm fans' speculation that his face of disgust was actually a show of support as he started praising the young star

The Final Verdict

So, what really happened? Was Frankie's reaction genuine or just a show of support gone wrong? It seems we'll never truly know the answer. But one thing's for sure: this VMAs drama has left us all talking!

What do you think about the drama surrounding Frankie Grande and Tate McRae at the 2025 MTV VMAs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

On the VMAs Celeb POV stream, he got up close to the microphone to gush about the Sports Car singer

The Winner Takes It All

But amidst all the drama, Ariana Grande took home two of the biggest awards of the night – Best Pop and Video of the Year. Her song "Brighter Days Ahead" won both categories, solidifying her spot as one of the music industry's top stars.

It seems like Ariana's talent has finally paid off, and we couldn't be more thrilled for her! But who knows what other drama is brewing beneath the surface? Stay tuned to find out!

Fans also shared a clip of Ariana meeting McRae and Frankie getting up to shake her hand enthusiastically

This article was originally published on TheScholarlyNote.com.

One X user tweeted: 'I thought I was the only one that clocked this but like why is he making that face...'

Another person joked that he 'saw Tate come for Ariana's crown now he's mad'

'This makes him seem like a hater [not gonna lie],' one fan wrote alongside a crying emoji