Sick Lorde explains her strange performance at MTV's VMAs: 'I needed an IV'

Lorde had promised something special for today's performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.

But no one expected this.

The Kiwi pop star had been scheduled to perform Homemade Dynamite, a popular song from her recent second album Melodrama, at today's live awards ceremony.

Lorde performs Homemade Dynamite at the MTV Video Music Awards. Photo/AP

Instead, she emerged on stage in grey pants and a silver tutu and gave the song its own interpretive dance routine without singing a single word.

Her routine included foot stomps, collapsing on the ground, slow motion boxing moves, being carried in the air by back-up dancers dressed in black, and shoulder shrugs.

Lorde performs Homemade Dynamite at the MTV Video Music Awards. Photo/AP

Towards the end of the song, she was carried through the air and thrown up and down.

Learning some of these @lorde moves for my next party. Who wants to help carry me? #VMAs pic.twitter.com/NslxrOGm2L

— MTV (@MTV) August 28, 2017

Fans quickly took to Twitter to give her mixed reviews, with many wondering why MTV played four minutes of Lorde dancing but cut short a Chester Bennington tribute.

Lorde dances to Homemade Dynamite at the Video Music Awards. Photo/AP

Many were also angry that she didn't sing.

@MTV you should be ashamed for letting lorde on your show. that "performance" was ridiculous , didn't sing a word👎

— jessica durand (@whitegirlsports) August 28, 2017

So we have to watch Lourde dance and not sing and Lincoln Park gets a commercial and we can't watch them?

— Mia Marino (@Str8gal) August 28, 2017

Others were more positive about the routine, calling it typically Lorde-esque.

Lorde I'm pretty sure I do the same thing in my house when no one's watching, and MTV hasn't called me once 🤔 #VMAs

— Bubby (@flyguy2snackz) August 28, 2017

She doing great. Thanks @lorde for this 😍😍😍 #VMAs

— JEY 🎆 (@dapitanjeyrald) August 28, 2017

After the performance, Lorde took to Twitter to explain why she couldn't sing.

She was sick, stricken so badly with the flu she said: "I needed an IV".

Earlier, Lorde had told fans on Twitter her knees were "busted up" leading into today's VMAs performance.

Lorde performs Homemade Dynamite at the MTV Video Music Awards. Photo/AP

She said she'd "been rehearsing for the VMAs and my knees are covered in bruises" but didn't mention the fact she was ill.

Today's MTV VMAs are being held in Inglewood and are hosted by Katy Perry.