Jared Leto, lead singer of Thirty Seconds to Mars, delivered a heartfelt and moving tribute to Chester Bennington at the VMAs on August 27 — only to have it cut short to a commercial break by MTV.
Bennington was found dead this past July, having committed suicide.
Jared Leto honored the lead singer of Linkin Park by saying “I think about his family and his band, who were really his brothers, and I remember his voice, at once ferocious and delicate. That voice will live forever. If there is anyone out there who is watching this tonight who feels like there is no hope, here me now: you are not alone.”
Leto’s speech was a touching one and the audience responded appropriately.
However, as soon as Leto asked the audience to get out of their seats to honor Bennington, MTV abruptly cut to a commercial break.
The internet responded quickly and angrily to this curt conclusion, with such posts as: