Mendes also cozied up to Hailee Steinfeld, whose Republic singles "Love Myself" and "Most Girls" have cemented her as one of the few rising actor-singers with distinct careers that are equally successful. 

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Two things greeted guests who made it through the arrivals gauntlet: A battalion of these golden female knights serving to remind everyone that they were missing the "Game of Thrones" finale,  and Lorde's "we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams..." lyrics in neon hanging on the wall, referencing party co-host Cadillac.

Charlie Walk's Got Talent!  The Republic Records President is the man in the middle of "AGT" judges Mel B. and Heidi Klum, who arrived together. 

Republic's party drew the the cross section of pop culture and celebrity guests that the VMAs itself used to be known for. Exhibit A: The woman at the center of this summer's "Bachelor in Paradise" scandal, Corinne Olympios.

Exhibit B: Disco and dance music legend Giorgio Moroder (far right), who at 77, might be Republic's most senior artist.

Exhibit C: Cultural idiosyncrasy Post Malone, who took the stage and sang his two biggest hits:"White Iverson" and "Congratulations".

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Exhibit D: Artist Mr. Brainwash of "Exit Through the Gift Shop" fame, who brought his own camera to the party. 

The party was hot - literally. With jackets being shed and sweat falling from foreheads and the ceiling in the subterranean venue, co-host Fiji Water's bottles with built in straws went fast.

While Jessie J went "bandit" by deploying the personalized bandanas they were sewing for guests inside...

There was no masking the "Bang Bang" singer's enthusiasm for the personalized delivery of a bottle of Ace of Spades.

Brothers Avery and Monte Lipman, who run the hit-focused Republic.

While rumors floated of a Calvin Harris party upstairs at the Highlight Room, the scene downstairs was a mix of "old school" and "new school" talent: Incubus' Brandon Boyd (left) and Musical.ly star Baby Ariel (2nd from right)

"Old School" x "Medium School" x "New School": Pete Wentz, the always colorful Tove Lo, and L.A. socialites on the rise the "Hamlin sisters" (daughters of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin).

Photo booths are not gong to cut it anymore. Cadillac created a green screen "Carpool Karaoke" studio in a mini soundstage to produce broadcast quality social media videos on the spot. Nick Cannon took it for a spin before DJ'ing later in the night.

The Carpool Karaoke studio concept came from a team including Cadillac's Nathan Tan (far right), posing here with DNCE's Jack Laweless and Joe Jonas. When DNCE performed, they came out on stage to "The Lion King" theme while wearing lion masks. 

Future performers at the VMAs? Republic signee Stanaj with the producer behind Justin Bieber's new song "Friends," BloodPop(R).

MTV's ratings have been sinking for years due to their core demographic's facial fixation to their phones instead of TV.  Blame these two guys from #TeamInternet: Jack and Jack.

Lava Records CEO and tastemaker guru Jason Flom (left) had a message that may upset religious white supremacists.

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