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The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards was a huge hit this year, pulling in the highest ever viewing figures for the channel, as Katy Perry, Adele, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga dominated the event.
The ceremony, held at the Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles on Sunday saw Katy Perry declared the biggest winner, taking home three major trophies. See below for the full list of winners.
The singer won Moonman statuettes for Video of the Year with Firework, plus Best Collaboration and Best Visual Effects for the Kanye West featuring cut E.T.
Lady Gaga won Best Female Video for Born This Way. Gaga, who opened the ceremony dressed as alter ego Jo Calderone recalled The Eurhythmics famous 1984 VMA performance where Annie Lennox too appeared in drag.
The singer appeared onstage with Queen guitarist Brian May for a rendition of new single You and I.
Gaga won the newly minted Best Video with a Message award for Born this Way.
The Poker Face star looked as though she was about to recreate the kiss Britney Spears had with Madonna in 2003, getting close to the singer before the two turned away, dissolved in laughter.
Britney Spears in addition to receiving the MTV Video Vanguard Award also picked up Best Pop Act.
Beyoncé meanwhile caused possibly the biggest talking point of the night by announcing that she is pregnant.
Arriving at the ceremony, the singer broke the news on the Black Carpet, cradling her baby bump as she talked to reporters.
The singer won Best Choreography for recent single Run the World (Girls).
Adele flew the flag for the British contingent, winning three awards for her single Rolling in the Deep.
Chris Brown, nominated for his Look At Me Now video turned in a dance heavy performance, which included a mash up of his hit Yeah X3, Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and the Wu-Tang Clan’s Protect Ya Neck.
Kanye West and Jay Z performed new cut Otis from their huge Watch the Throne collaboration. A man rushed onto the stage during the song but was quickly bundled away by security.
Controversial rapper Tyler the Creator won Best New Artist gong for Yonkers.
Best Hip-Hop Video meanwhile was picked up by Nicki Minaj for Super Bass.
Tony Bennett performed at the awards, paying tribute to the late Amy Winehouse, who he collaborated with recently.
Foo Fighters won in the Best Rock Video category for Walk, the only win of the night for guitar bands.
This year’s show was extremely well-received, pulling in MTVs highest ever viewing figures with 12.5 people million tuning in.
This is in almost complete contrast to last year’s event hosted by US comedian Chelsea Handler was criticised for being too dull.
The organisers dispensed with a host for this year’s awards, repeating the practice of 2004 and 2007s shows which also had no host present.
Not everyone was impressed with the star studded affair however.
Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine courted controversy before the ceremony, tweeting, ‘The VMAs. one day a year when MTV pretends to still care about music. I’m drawing a line in the sand. Fuck you VMAs.”
The singer, whose band won Best New Artist in 2004 was invited by the network to tune in to the broadcast.
The singer hit back however, ‘I may be a pop singer. but every once in a while the angsty teenager in me just blurts out some raw honesty, it’s a reflex.’
Full list of MTV Video Music Awards winners 2011:
Video of the Year: Katy Perry, Firework
Best Female Video: Lady Gaga, Born This Way
Best Male Video: Justin Bieber, U Smile
Best Collaboration: Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, E.T.
Best Hip-Hop Video: Nicki Minaj, Super Bass
Best New Artist: Tyler The Creator, Yonkers
Best Rock Video: Foo Fighters, Walk
Best Pop Video: Britney Spears, Till the World Ends
Best Video With A Message: Lady Gaga, Born This Way
Best Choreography: Beyoncé, Run the World (Girls)
Best Visual Effects: Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, E.T.
Best Art Direction: Adele, Rolling in the Deep
Best Editing: Adele, Rolling in the Deep
Best Cinematography: Adele, Rolling in the Deep