Press Release

Beyonce, Green Day & Lady Gaga Lead The Way With Three Moonmen at the '2009 Video Music Awards'

NEW YORK, Sept. 14 -- MTV turned New York City inside out for the "2009 Video Music Awards" as the network celebrated a legend and brought together the biggest names in music, TV, film and sports. Live from Radio City Music Hall, VMA icon Madonna opened the show and introduced the emotional and heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson. Janet Jackson was joined onstage by the most renowned choreographers in the world and Michael's tour dancers, all of whom were influenced by the "King of Pop," for a memorable and high energy performance. To honor her brother and his illustrious career, the dancers recreated some of his most memorable music videos including "Thriller," "Bad," "Smooth Criminal" and "Scream." The celebration received a standing ovation and set the tone for the most important evening in music and pop culture.

Always controversial, British comedian Russell Brand pushed the envelope as he had fun with a slew of new stars and charmed the ladies. Aerosmith's Joe Perry and popstar Katy Perry helped Russell kick-off his hosting duties in a big way with a light infused performance of the classic rock anthem by Queen, "We Will Rock You."

Young country-pop superstar Taylor Swift earned "Best Female Video" for "You Belong With Me" in one of the most competitive categories of the evening, causing Kanye Westto storm the stage in protest of Beyonce not winning. In a gracious act, Beyonce later called Taylor back on stage to rightfully accept her award. Beyoncedid win an outstanding three moonmen including the coveted "Video of the Year" award for her viral video sensation "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)." Also landing three statues was Lady Gaga including "Best New Artist" for her hit single "Poker Face." Green Day made a triumphant return to the VMAs by claiming three awards including "Best Rock Video" for "21 Guns." Eminem walked away victorious in an extremely heated race for "Best Hip Hop Video" with "We Made You."

Adding to her collection of moonmen and accepting her award via satellite while on tour, Britney Spearswon "Best Pop Video" for "Womanizer." After officially premiering at last year's show, T.I. and Rihanna won "Best Male Video" for their multi-platinum song "Live Your Life."

Eminem once again showcased his comedic chops teaming up with Tracy Morgan and featuring a cameo by Cyndi Lauper to present the "Best New Artist" nominees throughout the show.

Drawing on the musical energy and passion of New York City, MTV used the city as a backdrop to showcase the unprecedented and groundbreaking performances from today's most popular artists. Making her first VMA performance a standout, Taylor Swift sang a never-before-heard version of her single "You Belong With Me." Taylor fully incorporated all NYC has to offer by transitioning from a subway car to 6(th) Avenue surrounded by fans and ending her performance on top of a taxi cab.

Known for her over the top live performances and fashion forward style, Lady Gaga turned a childhood dream into a reality as she made her grand entrance into VMA history. During her unforgettable performance of "Paparazzi," the international superstar gives her own interpretation on the price of fame which culminates with her levitating into the air.

Surrounded by pyro and using every corner of the VMA stage, fan favorite Green Day made an explosive return to the VMA stage by giving a high energy rock performance of their single "East Jesus Nowhere."

Beyonce had all of Radio City dancing to "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" with her call and response to the audience as she translated her music video phenomenon to the live stage. The pop diva was backed by an army of dancers as they displayed their incomparable dance moves during her performance.

Already a household name across the pond, British rockers Muse gave a breakthrough performance expanding their fan base worldwide. The band performed their latest single "Uprising" from a live remote at the Walter Kerr Theater in the Broadway district of Manhattan in front of hundreds of screaming fans.

Determined to top herself and once again raise the bar for live performances, P!nk mastered a jaw-dropping aerial act 30 feet above the stage while performing her single "Sober." And yes, she sang every single word of it.

Bringing the show to a climactic end, JAY-Z and Alicia Keys honored their hometown of New York as they gave a powerful performance of "Empire State of Mind."

As the official VMA house band, hip-hop's newest challenger Wale and the legendary go go band UCB hyped up the audience as they put their own unique spin on some of the biggest songs of the year, his own material and a few classic covers. They collaborated with a number of artists including Kid Cudi with "Day And Night," The All-American Rejects with "Gives You Hell," Pitbull with "You Know You Want Me" and 3OH!3 with "Don't Trust Me". Kid Cudi honored DJ AM during his performance of "Make Her Say."

The star studded show also included appearances by Megan Fox, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Jack Black, Andy Samberg, Kristin Cavallari, Pete Wentz, Gerard Butler, Diddy, Tracy Morgan, Adam Brody, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Alexa Chung, Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship and Justin Bieber, Ne-Yo, Nelly Furtado, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Chace Crawford, Leighton Meester, Miranda Cosgroveand Serena Williams.

The MTV audience was treated to exclusive first looks at fall's most anticipated films and soundtracks including Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT and The Twilight Saga: New Moon trailers during the show. Viewers were also given a sneak peek at the latest trailer from the upcoming movie Fame during MTV News' "2009 VMA Preshow."

    2009 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS

    GENERAL CATEGORIES:

    VIDEO OF THE YEAR
    Beyonce
    Title: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
    Album: I AM. . .SASHA FIERCE
    Director: Jake Nava
    Label: Music World Music/ColumbiaProduction Company: Anonymous Content
    Producer: John Winter

    BEST NEW ARTIST
    Lady Gaga
    Title: Poker Face
    Album: The Fame
    Director: Ray Kay
    Label: Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope
    Production Company: Rockhard Films
    Producer: Jil Hardin/ Nicole Ehrich

    BEST MALE VIDEO
    T.I. featuring Rihanna
    Title: Live Your Life
    Album: Paper Trail
    Director: Anthony Mandler

    Label: Atlantic Records
    Production Company: Les Enfants Terribles
    Producer: Gina Leonard

    BEST FEMALE VIDEO
    Taylor Swift
    Title: You Belong With Me
    Album: Fearless
    Director: Roman White
    Label: Big Machine Records
    Production Company: Revolution Pictures
    Producer: Randy Brewer

    BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
    Eminem
    Title: We Made You
    Album: Relapse
    Director: Joseph Kahn
    Label: Aftermath/Interscope
    Production Company: HSI Productions
    Producer: Mary Ann Tanedo

    BEST POP VIDEO
    Britney Spears

    Title: Womanizer
    Album: Circus
    Director: Joseph Kahn
    Label: Jive/Zomba Label GroupProduction Company: HSI Productions
    Producer: Mary Ann Tanedo

    BEST ROCK VIDEO
    Green Day
    Title: 21 Guns
    Album: 21st Century Breakdown
    Director: Marc Webb
    Label: Reprise Records
    Production Company: DNA Inc
    Producer: Michael Angelos

    PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES:

    BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
    Beyonce

    Title: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
    Album: I AM. . .SASHA FIERCE
    Director: Jake Nava
    Label: Music World Music/ColumbiaProduction Company: Anonymous Content
    Producer: John Winter
    Choreographer:  Jaquel Knight & Frank Gatson Jr.

    BEST DIRECTION
    Green Day
    Title: 21 Guns
    Album: 21st Century Breakdown
    Director: Marc Webb
    Label: Reprise Records
    Production Company: DNA Inc
    Producer: Michael Angelos

    BEST EDITING
    Beyonce

    Title: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
    Album: I AM. . .SASHA FIERCE
    Director: Jake Nava
    Label: Music World Music/ColumbiaProduction Company: Anonymous Content
    Producer: John Winter
    Editor: Jarrett Fijal

    BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS
    Lady Gaga
    Title: Paparazzi
    Album: The Fame
    Director: Jonas Akerlund
    Label: Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope
    Production Company: Factory Films Ltd.
    Producer: Steven Johnson/Nicole Ehrich

    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
    Green Day
    Title: 21 Guns
    Album: 21st Century Breakdown
    Director: Marc Webb
    Label: Reprise Records
    Production Company: DNA Inc
    Producer: Michael Angelos
    Cinematographer: Jonathan Sela

    BEST ART DIRECTION
    Lady Gaga
    Title: Paparazzi
    Album: The Fame
    Director: Jonas Akerlund
    Label: Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope
    Production Company: Factory Features
    Producer: Steven Johnson/Nicole Ehrich
    Art Director: Jason Hamilton

    ONLINE CATEGORIES:

    BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO
    Matt & Kim
    Title: Lessons Learned
    Album: Grand
    Director: Taylor Cohen & Otto Arsenault
    Label: Fader
    Production Company: FVNMO
    Producer: Taylor Cohen, Otto Arsenault

    BEST VIDEO (THAT SHOULD HAVE WON A MOONMAN)
    Beastie Boys
    Title: Sabotage
    Album: III Communication
    Director:  Spike Jonze
    Label: Grand Royal/Capitol Records

Shugoll Research and Telescope are the Official Business Advisors of the "2009 MTV Video Music Awards" Nominee and Winner Voting periods.

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the "2009 MTV Video Music Awards." Dave Sirulnick is Executive Producer. Garrett English is co-Executive Producer/Executive in Charge of Production. Amy Doyle is co-Executive Producer. Joanna Bomberg is Executive in Charge of Music and Talent. Jen Jones is Producer. Hamish Hamilton is Director. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive.

Official sponsors of the "2009 MTV Video Music Awards" are 5 ^®( )Gum, Febreze, Pepsi, Rhapsody ^®, Sears, Taco Bell ^®, U.S. Army and Verizon Wireless.

The "2009 MTV Video Music Awards" will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.2 billion people via MTV's global network of 68 channels reaching 577 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming & content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's more than 200 digital media properties around the world.

About MTV:

MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music, creativity and youth culture. For over 27 years, MTV has evolved, challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every platform and screen. On-air, MTV is the number one rated full-day ad-supported cable network for P12-24. Online, MTV.com averaged 21.7 million monthly unique visitors during the first quarter of 2009 -- up +7% from the 4Q/2008. Total video streams for the first quarter of 2009 increased by 13% from 4Q/2008 and by 21% over the same time period last year. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Wanna know more? Come on in. . . www.mtvpress.com.

SOURCE MTV

Melissa Barreto, +1-212-846-7226
melissa.barreto@mtvstaff.com
or
Emily Yeomans, +1-310-752-8074
emily.yeomans@mtvstaff.com
both for MTV