Host Kevin Hart entered with a dud of a joke, accompanied with a security detail comprised of little people. "I told MTV I wanted a little security. They took it literally." He called out previous host Russell Brand and the Drake-Chris Brown during his spit-fire opening monologue. "MTV is the place for mistakes."
The first award given during the telecast, Best Pop Video, went to One Direction for "What Makes You Beautiful." Presenter Katy Perry accidentally broke off the Moonman's flag when handing it to the guys, but quickly made up for it by giving the guys a peck. "Katy, thanks for the kiss. We've grown up watching this show. To be here is incredible." They later performed new single "One Thing" and later still solidified their status as the hottest new group in pop by winning Best New Artist. During the pre-show, "Beautiful" also won Most Share-Worthy Video.
Live sets came from P!nk, who performed "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)," currently No. 11 on the Hot 100, and Frank Ocean, with an affecting take on his emotional "Thinkin Bout You." Green Day represented the rock with a run-though of "Let Yourself Go," off "Uno!" 2 Chainz sang "Yuck!"
Alicia Keys played the original version of her single "Girl on Fire," with an able assist from Nicki Minaj and a moment-of-the-night cameo by U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas, who did a bit of light tumbling during the tail end of the performance. It was all smiles from the all-around gold medalist at last month's Olympics.
The show actually saved the best performance for last with Taylor Swift and huge ensemble of friends and furries dancing in an anthemic fist-raising TV debut of her recent Hot 100 No. 1 "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
Other winners went to Chris Brown, a magnet for controversy, who went the subtle route with his acceptance speech for Best Male Video ("Turn Up the Music"), thanking fans and management in brief comments. Brown's sworn enemy, Drake, got a bit more personal when accepting Best Hip-Hop Video, for "HYFR." The Canadian rapper said growing up black and Jewish informed the song's message. "I wanna dedicate this award to to any kid who's had a long walk home by himself," he said while surrounded by Young Money cohorts Lil' Wayne and Nicki Minaj.
Pre-show awards went to Demi Lovato, whose "Skyscraper" earned the nod for Best Video With a Message. She was soon performing her most recent single, "Give Your Heart a Break," which tops Billboard's Pop Songs chart this week.
Calvin Harris, the night's DJ, won Best EDM Video for "Feel So Close." Conveniently, the super-producer (Rihanna's "We Found Love") had his Moonman while he was pumping the beats inside the Staples Center.
It didn't carry the same WOW-factor as last year's big red-carpet pregnancy news (Beyonce), but Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose announced to (your boy) Sway that they were expecting their first child. "I'm hot and my feet hurt," the model said.
Here's the 2012 MTV VMAs winners list:
Video of the Year
Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris -- "We Found Love"
Best Male Video
Chris Brown -- "Turn Up the Music"
Best Female Video
Nicki Minaj -- "Starships"
Best New Artist
One Direction -- "What Makes You Beautiful"
Best Pop Video
One Direction -- "What Makes You Beautiful"
Best Rock Video
Coldplay -- "Paradise"
Best Hip-Hop Video
Drake feat. Lil Wayne -- "HYFR"
Best Electronic Dance Video
Calvin Harris -- "Feel So Close"
Best Video With a Message
Demi Lovato -- "Skyscraper"
Most Share-Worthy Video
One Direction -- "What Makes You Beautiful"
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