The stories behind the arrivals of Rebecca Black, LMFAO, Kreayshawn and more. By Gil Kaufman, Jocelyn Vena and Rob Markman Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose at the 2011 VMAs Photo: Getty Images LOS ANGELES — There was so much action on the 2011 VMA black-carpet pre-show it was hard to keep track. But along with all the stuff you did see, there was a whole lot you didn’t get to see, which is why we kept an eye on everything that was going on behind-the-scenes too.
Tunechi delivered a scorching combo of ‘How to Love’ and ‘John’ to end the show on Sunday night. By Alvin Blanco Lil Wayne performs at the 2011 VMAs Photo: Getty Images Lil Wayne closes out a hectic week that included a skateboarding mishap and a Jay-Z dis by proving he’s just as much rock star as he is rap star. Weezy F. closed out the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards with a scorching performance of his hits “How to Love” and “John.” “You know, he always comes different: One day he’s a rock star, one day he’s a skater; he’s singing R&B. I think we can expect a little bit of everything in this performance,” Weezy’s musical director Gil Smith told MTV News last week. He wasn’t kidding. YMCMB wunderkind Drake introduced Weezy, who kicked off his performance singing his hit rap ballad “How to Love,” with Auto-tune effects added to his microphone. Backed by a live band, Lil Tunechi eased down the stage sporting a black top hat, snug-fitting animal prints pants, a white V-neck T-shirt and red Vans. After showing off his vocal chops and finishing the first verse of “How to Love,” Weezy then took off the hat and shirt, put back on his sunglasses, and after uttering, “Ladies and gentleman, my name is Lil Wayne,” screamed and launched into “John.” The band replaced the original instrumental with the familiar groove of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” giving the performance a decidedly hard-rock turn as the rapper hyperactively jumped around the stage. After kicking his verse for “John,” which features Rick Ross, Weezy ran into the crowd and greeted Rozay. Back onstage, he picked up a white and black guitar and told the crowd to put their hands in the air (along with plenty of expletives) and played a few notes, before removing the instrument and slamming it to the stage. With Jay-Z and Beyonc
We watched as all the stars at the VMAs met and hung out backstage on Sunday night. By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by Kara Warner and Matt Elias Britney Spears and Lady Gaga share a kiss backstage at the VMAs Photo: WireImage There were many, many standout moments that VMA viewers witnessed from the comfort of their living rooms (Beyonc#233;’s belly! Gaga/Jo macking on Britney!). But for every big moment on air, there was plenty of other crazy stuff that went down backstage, where there were no cameras rolling. But your trusty MTV News correspondents had access all over the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, and here’s what we gathered from behind the scenes of the main show.
A pregnant Beyonce performs in-front of millions during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Jay-Z and Kanye celebrating to Beyonce showing her baby bump at the end = classic! Beyonce Covers InStyle: “I Can Be The Mother I Want To Be Now” [PHOTOS] Beyonce, Solange & Kelly Shoot Retro-Themed “Party” Video [PHOTOS]
During the MTV VMA black carpet pre-show, Beyonce hit the carpet and announced she’s pregnant with Jay-Z’s child. While she didn’t actually say it herself, she hit the carpet flaunting her baby bump. VIDEO: Beyonce Performs at 2011 VMA’s Beyonce Covers InStyle: “I Can Be The Mother I Want To Be Now” [PHOTOS] Beyonce, Solange & Kelly Shoot Retro-Themed “Party” Video [PHOTOS]
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
Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ took home Best Video With a Message early Sunday night. By Eric Ditzian Lady Gaga Photo: Getty Images Lady Gaga — trailblazer in yet another pop culture realm! The singer’s “Born This Way” won the first-ever Moonman for Best Video With a Message at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday evening. “I’m really proud of the ‘Born This Way’ video, and for it to be nominated is an absolute honor,” Gaga earlier told MTV News. The winner of the Best Video With a Message award, devoted to videos where music and social activism unite with positive messages that delve into some of the biggest issues of the day, was announced during the black carpet Pre-Show — just one of a handful of early awards. Adele won big, taking home three professional awards. She bested Gaga, Katy Perry and Kanye West to win Best Art Direction for “Rolling in the Deep.” The Brit chanteuse’s video also took Editing (over ‘Ye and 30 Seconds to Mars) and Cinematography (over Beyonc
Black carpet co-host Gomez was interviewing boyfriend Justin on Sunday. By Kara Warner Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez on the 2011 VMA red carpet Photo: FilmMagic Although MTV Mews’ Sway Calloway has enough interview experience to get the goods from the biggest and brightest stars, our special VMA Pre-Show co-host Selena Gomez proved to be just as skilled as our season pro when her interview subject was boyfriend Justin Bieber “I’m here with the one-and-only Justin Bieber,” Gomez said when she introduced the singer with a smile. “Who are you wearing? Can you please talk about that?” “I have my snake,” Bieber said, displaying a live pet reptile in his hand. “I have red pants and cheetah shoes.” “What’s your snake’s name?” Gomez expertly followed up. “My snake’s name is Johnson,” Bieber responded. “You’re up for Best Male Video,” Gomez continued. “I wanna know — you’re up against Eminem and Bruno Mars — do you feel a little nervous at all?” “You know, I’m just excited to be in the category with such amazing people,” Bieber said of his fellow nominees. “I’m just happy to be here.” “Rumored to be performing is Jay-Z and Kanye [West], and I know you like them both,” Gomez continued, adding a bit of her Bieber expertise to the conversation. “Are you excited to see them perform?” “Very excited,” Bieber said. “I heard that it was kind of a last minute thing, but I’m really excited.” Gomez, again relying upon her insider Bieber knowledge, prodded Bieber further, asking if he was more excited for Jay-Z and Kanye West, or another of his favorites, Beyonc
‘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
Here are the photos of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ fairytale wedding that went down last weekend in Cali. SMH at how he’s holding on to those cakes for dear life! Peep more shots when you have a flip thru…
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