Taylor Swift scored three awards at the "2012 MTV EMA" in her EMA debut, and Justin Bieber also won three, continuing his dominance at the world's biggest music event.
Hosted by hometown girl Heidi Klum, MTV's 19th annual EMA, held Sunday, November 11th in Frankfurt, Germany, was a beautiful, jaw-dropping spectacle, filled with aerialists, pyrotechnics, lasers, elaborate light shows, and incredible choreography, delivering on what Klum had promised would be a magical night.
Swift had a busy evening in Frankfurt, taking home three awards for Best Female, Best Live, and the brand new category Best Look, and performing "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" in the show's phenomenal finale that saw the whole circus wonderland come to life. Bieber earned Best World Stage, along with repeat wins for Best Pop and Best Male.
Carly Rae Jepsen also had a successful EMA debut, winning Best PUSH and Best Song for "Call Me Maybe," and inspiring a fan invasion during the performance of her chart-topping hit. Tying Jepsen at two awards was British boy band One Direction, who earned Best New as well as Biggest Fans, thanks to its loyal following of Directioners.
The popularity of Korean pop sensation Psy's "Gangnam Style" knows no limits, as he took home the award for "Best Video" – now officially the most popular video in history. In his first international awards show performance, Psy's bold performance was full of swagger, thanks to the army of Psy lookalikes/dancers that joined him on stage and a special cameo by David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff.
In the second year of Best Worldwide Act, Chinese artist Han Geng brought the win home again for the Asia Pacific region, following in the footsteps of last year's winner BIGBANG. The late Whitney Houston was named Global Icon, honored for her significant impact on the world of pop music; her award was presented by Alicia Keys.
EMA nominee and MTV PUSH act Rita Ora kicked off the evening's festivities descending from the rafters in a giant bird cage for a performance of "R.I.P.," while fellow nominee and PUSH artist fun. had the arena rocking out to the anthemic "We Are Young." Alicia Keys was truly a "Girl on Fire," singing her hit song surrounded by breathtaking aerialists. Pitbull brought his sexy signature style to Frankfurt, surrounded by dancers with mirror balls and mesmerizing pixie poi as the audience danced to his latest track "Don't Stop the Party."
The Killers wowed the crowd with a performance of "Runaways" amidst an impressive, eye-popping lighting spectacle, and Muse's performance of "Madness" was amplified by a dynamic, innovative laser show. After nearly a decade away from the scene, No Doubt blew away the audience with their amazing live performance of "Looking Hot" and Gwen Stefani's ever-captivating stage presence.
Producer/DJ Madeon performed a mix of his own ground-breaking music, while also playing an inventive mash-up of the nominees' hit songs, throughout the evening, while special guest Ludacris was all over the venue to keep energy levels to the max. Backstage, Hasselhoff was non-stop tweeting behind-the scenes scoop from his Hoff's-eye-view.
Presenters at the "2012 MTV EMA" included songstress Lana Del Rey, who won the award for Best Alternative; reality star and socialite Kim Kardashian, who brought along boyfriend Kanye West as her date; GRAMMY® nominated musicians/actors Nick, Kevin and Joe Jonas; Brett Davern of MTV's popular scripted show "Awkward"; the cast of "Geordie Shore" (MTV UK's #1 show of all time); and supermodels Anne V and Isabeli Fontana.
Fans around the world cast a staggering, record-breaking 184 million votes online and on their mobile devices to help decide the "2012 MTV EMA" winners.
The "2012 MTV EMA" award winners are:
•Best Song - Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen
•Best New Act - One Direction
•Best Female - Taylor Swift
•Best Male - Justin Bieber
•Best Pop - Justin Bieber
•Best Live - Taylor Swift
•Best Hip Hop - Nicki Minaj
•Best Rock - Linkin Park
•Best Electronic - David Guetta
•Best Alternative - Lana Del Rey
•Best Video - Gangnam Style - Psy
•Best Look - Taylor Swift
•Best Worldwide Act - Han Geng (Asia Pacific)
•Best World Stage - Justin Bieber
•Best Push - Carly Rae Jepsen
•Biggest Fans - One Direction
•Global Icon Award - Whitney Houston