Hashtags #whatwillgagawear and #DemiYouAreBeautiful also made an impact on Sunday. By Kara Klenk Lady Gaga at the 2011 VMAs Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Just as predicted, the 2011 Video Music Awards generated even more buzz than last year, with over 3 million tweets sent from 8 p.m. ET at the start of the pre-show until the end of the West Coast broadcast, 11 p.m. PT. Which makes perfect sense when we’re talking about a show in which Selena Gomez interviewed Justin Bieber , Britney and Gaga almost made out , and, oh yeah, Beyonc
‘It was really cool of her to come out and show that at the VMAs, ’cause music is her outlet,’ newlywed says. By Kelley L. Carter Kim Kardashian at the 2011 VMAs Photo: Getty Images Kim Kardashian rushed back from her honeymoon this weekend and made it to the Nokia Theatre in time to present Best Male Video at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards . But her favorite highlight of the evening was the same as many of us viewing from home: getting the Beyonc
Mars performed a 1950s-style cover of ‘Valerie.’ By Gil Kaufman Bruno Mars performs at the 2011 VMAs Photo: FilmMagic Amy Winehouse never made it to the stage of the VMAs in her lifetime, but on Sunday night, some of her friends and admirers paid tribute to the “Rehab” singer a month after her death. “She was a mate of mine and tragically this year we lost her,” said pal Russell Brand, who penned a loving note to the troubled British crooner following her death. “First time I met her, she was kind of like a daft, dopey person, just wandering around a little bit crazy, like a lot of people who are drawn to big cities with a peculiar, unknowable talent.” Though he remembered that she seemed like an “ordinary girl” (with “extraordinary hair,” mind you) at first, Brand recalled watching her perform and realizing that he was witnessing a rare, amazing talent. “This is not just another London chancer, not just another person milling about waiting to be famous,” he said. “What is this incredible sound? This timeless sound like a roar from the guts of humanity? The kind of voice that Billie Holiday sung with, the kind of voice that Ella Fitzgerald sung with.” He started really paying attention after that, realizing that she was a “genius,” though one who, like Brand in the past, struggled with the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction. Brand also alluded to the huge influence Winehouse had on such contemporary artists as VMA winners Adele , his own missus, Katy Perry , Lady Gaga and 2010 VMA performer Florence and the Machine . The musical section of the tribute had Bruno Mars digging into the Winehouse cover of the Zutons’ “Valerie,” taking the stage in a sharp blue sharkskin suit, his hair in an impressive pompadour as he rocked his best 1950s sock-hop look. Backed by a big band that included a three-piece string and horn section — with Amy’s name inside of a heart emblazoned on the drummer’s bass drum. The big, bouncy tune was accompanied by some pop-art-style images of Winehouse that filled the big screen at the back of the stage, which alternated with some Roy Lichtenstein-type comic-book-inspired graphics. Adele was singing along in her seat, and during the breakdown, the horn section came in around a vintage mike and sang some doo-wop backing vocals under a single spotlight in a scene straight out of “Grease.” Doing a little James Brown-style side-to-side shuffle and busting out some fancy “American Bandstand” footwork, Mars ended with a shout-out, singing, “Say Amy, oh Amy/ I love you darling, I love you darling/ Say Amy, whoa Amy, we’ll miss you baby.” Also along to pay homage to the “Rehab” singer was legendary crooner Tony Bennett, who introduced some never-before-seen footage of the unlikely pair recording a cover of “Body and Soul” at London’s Abbey Road Studios for his upcoming Duets II album. Bennett, one of the last people to ever record with Winehouse, said he too recognized the rare beauty of her gift. The ageless icon said Winehouse was a “true” jazz artist who most definitely had “it.” The video footage of the two singing together was bittersweet, with Winehouse looking healthy and alert, twirling her hair coquettishly as she matched him note-for-note on the standard. Wearing one of the plaid sweaters from her Fred Perry fashion collection , her hair in a signature bouffant, a smiling Winehouse held her own with Bennett, trading lines and sharing a warm hug at the end of their session. The Bennett/Winehouse single and video will be released by Columbia Records on September 14, Amy’s birthday, in support of the Amy Winehouse Foundation, established by the late singer’s family to help a number of charities connected with children and young people. Winehouse , known for the depth and power of her soulful voice, will be remembered by fans and peers for her awe-inspiring talent and classic hits such as “Rehab,” “Back to Black,” “Me & Mr. Jones” and “You Know I’m No Good.” She died last month at the age of 27 of yet-undisclosed causes in her London apartment. On Tuesday, Winehouse’s family released a statement saying that toxicology reports found no traces of illegal substances in her system. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped, but the real action is just getting started! Stick with MTV News for winners , fashion pics, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything that went down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest. Related Videos VMA 2011: Performances Related Photos VMA 2011: Show Highlights VMA 2011: Backstage Moments Related Artists Bruno Mars Amy Winehouse
‘I feel like I am doing something right when I sing that song,’ Perry says when accepting her Moonman. By Kelley Carter Katy Perry accepts the Video Of The Year award at the 2011 VMAs Photo: Getty Images Capping her most successful year yet, Katy Perry racked up the top award at Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards ‘ Video of the Year for “Firework.” The singer — dressed in a cartoonish, multicolored dress with a square-shaped headband-like contraption on her head — kissed her hubby, actor Russell Brand , and hugged a few people, including Adele, whom she was up against, before heading to the stage to accept her award from actress Katie Holmes. “Oh my goodness! Thank you so much,” Perry said. “This has been a night of firsts. This is my second Moonman. I’m very proud of the song it stands for, which is ‘Firework.’ I feel like I am doing something right when I sing that song. So thanks to everyone who helped to create it.” Click for photos of Katy’s VMA red carpet looks. She thanked her team and then continued, after the crowd simmered down a bit, “To all of y’all out there! Thank you so much! To all my fans! And last but not least, my husband!” The cameras focused on Brand just as she was thanking him, and he was visibly emotional. Perry was the most nominated artist this year, with nine nods total. She ultimately collected two for the evening, including an award for Best Collaboration on “E.T.” with Kanye West. She also competed for Best Female Video, Best Art Direction, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Special Effects and Best Cinematography. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped, but the real action is just getting started! Stick with MTV News for winners , fashion pics, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything that went down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest. Related Videos VMA 2011: Most Talked About Moments Related Photos VMA 2011: Winners Related Artists Katy Perry
Spears tells MTV News her onstage smooch with Lady Gaga’s Jo Calderone wasn’t planned. By James Montgomery Britney Spears with Lady Gaga as Jo Calderone Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Britney Spears played it humble during her Video Music Awards tribute — using her time onstage to shine the spotlight on her fellow performer, Beyonc
Singer puts spotlight on her voice for stripped-down performance. By Kelley L. Carter Adele performs at the 2011 VMAs Photo: MTV After being introduced by Katy Perry, British singer Adele . opened her Video Music Awards set dressed in a simple black dress, standing solo center stage. The lights came up and illuminated the woman who easily was one of the most-anticipated performers of the night. Even pop superstar Lady Gaga told MTV News that “she’s a breath of fresh air and she’s so exciting and her music is adding another dimension to radio that’s so important. She’s [also] a truly lovely person — which, to me, is always my favorite.” Adele most certainly didn’t disappoint Gaga and the rest of her fans. Her breakout hit, “Rolling in the Deep,” from her second album, 21, is the best-selling record of the year so far, but Adele decided to forego performing the ubiquitous hit, and instead she sang the sorrowful song “Someone Like You,” also from that hot-selling album. With her hair pulled back — and a signature ponytail traipsed over one shoulder — she sang the second single from her critically acclaimed album. She did vocal aerobics and dripped her soulful, sultry sound over the dark ballad, while a transfixed audience watched her. Emotion reverberated throughout the piano-driven track — she was backed by a pianist who played in the darkness a few feet behind her — as she belted out the tune that deals with the painful end of a relationship. At the end of her performance, fellow Brit and Video Music Awards house artist shouted out her appreciation for Adele, before going into Perry’s “Firework,” a song that seemed appropriate after bringing a house down. Related Videos VMA 2011: Performances Related Photos VMA 2011: Performers VMA 2011: Red Carpet Fashion Related Artists Adele
Singer, who has a broken foot, says she’s ‘still going to wild out’ at Sunday night’s Video Music Awards. By Kelley L. Carter Jessie J Photo: MTV News Oops! We wouldn’t let her do it again. British singer Jessie J took part in our MTV Video Music Awards mock trivia game, and she messed up the answer to our initial question of what song Britney Spears sang during her debut performance. She guessed “Oops! … I Did It Again.” Wrong answer. The right answer, of course, was “Baby … One More Time.” “Oh! That was obvious!” she exclaimed. “Shall we do it again, and I can get it right?” Nope, not this time, Jessie! She also missed our question about how many Video Music Awards nominations Katy Perry has this year, and when asked who the next most-nominated artist was, she guessed: “Lil Wayne? Beyonc
‘Look at Me Now’ collaborator Rhymes won’t say whether he’ll join CB onstage at the VMAs. By Rob Markman Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes in the “Look at Me Now” music video Photo: Jive Look at Chris Brown now. While the singer and prolific performer dominated headlines for years, the focus hasn’t always been solely on his music. But as we inch closer to the 2011 Video Music Awards , Busta Rhymes expects big things from his buddy. “You know, for Chris especially, this is probably his first run where the obstacles aren’t like they have been for him over the last couple of years, so he really got something to get off his chest,” Busta Rhymes told MTV News on the red carpet of the BMI Urban Awards on Friday night in Los Angeles. “I think people have been seeing that with just his whole success run this year.” Two years after his assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna, Brown has turned attention back to his musical accomplishments in 2011. He has flooded the charts with a number of singles from his F.A.M.E. album, including “Deuces,” “She Ain’t You,” “Beautiful People” and of course his multiple VMA-nominated “Look at Me Now,” featuring Lil Wayne and Busta. “He definitely bounced back like a G and a champ,” Bussa Bus said. “I’m saluting him and I’m proud of him.” And as choreographers Rich and Tone build up our anticipation of Chris Brown’s performance at the VMAs , Busta wouldn’t confirm or deny his participation in the set. “I can’t really give you any details,” the Brooklyn rapper said of Sunday’s performance. “I don’t know what we’re gonna do. I don’t know what he’s gonna do.” The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year’s highlights and vote for Best New Artist by visiting VMA.MTV.com . Related Videos 2011 VMAs: Behind The Scenes Related Photos 2011 MTV Video Music Awards Performers Related Artists Chris Brown Busta Rhymes
‘These are all people who have their own movements,’ the ‘Black and Yellow’ MC says of fellow nominees. By Rob Markman Wiz Khalifa Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Let’s be clear, while Wiz Khalifa has respect for his fellow Best New Artist nominees, he fully excepts to beat out the competition on Sunday night at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards . “I’m trying to crush everybody,” the Rolling Papers MC told MTV News from the red carpet of the BMI Urban Awards in Los Angeles on Friday. “No disrespect, just crush them and do what I do.” Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” video is up against tourmate Big Sean’s “My Last,” Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci,” Tyler, the Creator’s “Yonkers” and indie-pop band Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks.” “I think it’s really good competition, and it’s just a good sign of the new wave of how an artist can come up and get recognition these days,” Khalifa told MTV News in July when he first learned of the nomination. “Big Sean, I know his situation, how he came from nothing. Kreayshawn, she built her buzz similar with the Internet, and Tyler as well. These are all people who have their own movements.” Aside from his nomination, Wiz is just looking forward to some memorable moments at the VMAs. “I expect some real big performances, I expect some shockers, man. Some big things, people usually pull out all the stops at the VMAs,” he said. “That’s a big deal so I expect some entertainment.” Voting for the Best New Artist continues through the show, which airs live on Sunday (August 28) at 9 p.m. ET. You can vote by visiting vma.mtv.com or m.mtv.com on your mobile phone, or by texting BNA to 66333. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year’s highlights and vote for Best New Artist by visiting VMA.MTV.com . Related Videos 2011 VMAs: Behind The Scenes Related Photos 2011 Video Music Award Nominees Related Artists Wiz Khalifa
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