MTV VMAs 2013: The nominees, performances and stars
Ten years ago, something big happened at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Madonna hit the stage at New York's Radio City Music Hall, opening up the 20th anniversary ceremony with a medley of "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood." At her side were pop contemporaries Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. It could have been just an ordinary star-heavy performance, but then something else happened: Madonna French-kissed Spears. We watched as the camera panned to Spears' ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake. And then Madge did it again -- she smooched Aguilera.
It's a decade later, and we find ourselves in a familiar place: New York. This time the VMAs will be held at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Timberlake will be on hand once again, and there's even talk of an *NSYNC reunion.
Jimmy Fallon will present Timberlake with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Previous recipients have included Madonna, Peter Gabriel, R.E.M., Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Spears.
And there will be plenty of performers -- Lady Gaga is expected to kick off the VMAs with her new single, "Applause." Earlier this week, she told New York City radio station Z-100, "I am opening the show. Well, yes, I'm dancing and what you see in the video is where I am now with my body. I'm dancing 'til my feet bleed every day to make sure I give the fans a performance that they won't forget."
Other acts set to hit the stage include Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and Drake. Katy Perry will close the show (from an undisclosed location) with her new single, "Roar," off her upcoming album, "Prism," due Oct. 22. The VMAs are always a little bit more fun and rowdy than other awards shows, so there's bound to be some surprises in the works. Another epic kiss, perhaps? We'll likely see some twerking from Cyrus, an outrageous outfit or two from Gaga, a "surprise" performance from Daft Punk, and maybe something crazy, or the very least memorable, from West.
Presenters on hand will include Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jared Leto, Kevin Hart, Emeli Sande and A$AP Rocky. MTV will also present the movie trailer for "Divergent" during the VMAs pre-show.
And there will be plenty of moonmen to go around. Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis top this year's nominations with six nods. Bruno Mars isn't far behind with four nods, and Robin Thicke, Cyrus and Pink are each in the running for three honors.
Other notable contenders include Swift, Drake, fun., Calvin Harris and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, as well as first-time VMA nominees Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd and Capital Cities.
Fans have been able to vote for general VMA categories, including video of the year. Go here for a list of nominees.
The MTV Video Music Awards will air Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MTV, so check back here for complete coverage.
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