Arts & Entertainment Downtown Brooklyn

VMAs blow the roof off Barclays

August 26, 2013 Denise Romano
Justin Timberlake amidst his 25-minute performance. (Photo courtesy of MTV)
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Timberlake, Gaga and Miley – oh my!

The 30th annual MTV Video Music Awards blew the roof off the Barclays Center and took over the streets and bars of Brooklyn during the evening of Sunday, August 25, the first time the legendary awards show took place in the borough of churches.

Thousands of fans turned out to catch a glimpse of their favorite pop singers and celebrities, the likes of Lady Gaga, a native New Yorker, who opened the show with her new single, “Applause.” First appearing dressed in a white habit, the pop star did several of her notorious costume changes.

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Justin Timberlake did a fantastic 25-minute medley of his most popular songs, sliding and gliding all over the Barclays Center. The longest performance in VMA history culminated when he was joined by his former ‘N Sync band mates for “Bye, Bye, Bye” and “Girlfriend,” causing many female fans to go into hysterics over the long-anticipated and rumored reunion.

But it was 20-year-old Miley Cyrus who stole the show, with her risqué performance of her hit “Can’t Stop.” Her twerking and scantily-clad outfit raised eyebrows everywhere, especially when she joined Robin Thicke with a giant, foam finger as he sang “Blurred Lines.”

Miley Cyrus on the red carpet. (Photo courtesy of MTV)

The big winner of the night was Timberlake, who snagged four awards, including Video of the Year for “Mirrors” and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award, presented to him by pal Jimmy Fallon, the host of “Late Night” and future host of “The Tonight Show.”

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were also big VMA winners, taking home awards for categories including Best Hip-Hop Video and the Best Video with a Social Message. Bruno Mars nabbed two awards including Best Male Video for “Locked out of Heaven.”

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis also performed a poignant rendition of their song “Same Love,” which is about some of the struggles of being homosexual today. Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player and A$ap Rocky introduced the pair, who were surrounded from above by American flags as they sang their anthem of love, acceptance and equality. They were joined by Mary Lambert and surprise guest Jennifer Hudson.

French ravers Daft Punk premiered a sneak peek from their upcoming music video, “Lose Yourself to Dance,” before introducing Best Female Video, which went to Taylor Swift for “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

P!nk won Best Collaboration for “Just Give me a Reason” with Nate Ruess from fun.; Selena Gomez took home Best Pop Video for “Come and Get It;” and 30 Seconds to Mars won Best Rock Video for “Up in the Air.”

The VMAs also introduced two new awards this year, including Artist to Watch, which went to Austin Mahone for “What About Love.” The other new award, Best Song of the Summer, sponsored by Windows Phone, went to One Direction for “Best Song Ever.”

For a full list of winners, visit mtv.com


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