MTV VMAs 2013 Live Blog: Relive the Night's Biggest Moments from Brooklyn, Including 'NSYNC Reunion, Miley Cyrus Twerking on Robin Thicke, Award Winners and More!
The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards take place tonight (Aug. 25) in Brooklyn, New York, at the Barclays Center. Featuring performances from Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Katy Perry and more, the 2013 VMAs are sure to be full of big moments and shocking surprises. Will 'NSYNC reunite? Will Daft Punk make their rumored performance? Will West yank another microphone from a winner, a la Taylor Swift?
Keep up with the night's biggest moments in instant updates below from MStars News!
If you're unable to watch the VMAs on your TV, check out a live stream here.
7:03 p.m.: Starting the MTV VMAs live blogging now! This is Carolyn Menyes, reporter here for MStars News! Things are kicking off with a new episode of "Catfish." Both parties are involved in adultery... this is new territory for Nev & Max... They're making the guy break up with his girlfriend first, though. Good on several levels.
7:18 p.m.: One, "Catfish" is getting crazy -- of course Jess is fake! But this guy's whole life is probably going to fall apart. Meanwhile, Ariana Grande is on the red carpet. She noted she's excited and nervous to perform the pre-show. The "Sam & Cat" star will be performing the first two singles from her upcoming debut album "Yours Truly," "Baby I" and "The Way."
7:31 p.m.: While Nev and Max are trying to reel in a catfish, celebrities like Katy Perry, Miguel and the cast of "Jersey Shore" are showing up on the red carpet. And Perry looks Roar-licious! Check out that cheetah print. MTV has a live stream running here.
7:36 p.m.: "Catfish" twist... what if this "Jess" is really Artis' girlfriend/baby momma?
7:40 p.m.: This "Catfish" is legitimately scary. This is the first time I think anyone on this show has ever felt in legitimate danger. Who is this man?
7:46 p.m.: So Justin thinks it's his job to reveal crappy boyfriends and catch them in the act? Interesting. But there is something seriously wrong with this guy. Did you see them crazy eyes?!
7:51 p.m.: While "Catfish" deals with a self-proclaimed vigilante, 2 Chainz has arrived at the VMA red carpet. Guess what? He's wearing two chains! 2 Chainz is nominated for Best Hip-Hop Video and was supposed to perform tonight.
8:00 p.m.: Well, this is officially the weirdest episode of "Catfish" ever. Artis is "a fart in the wind" to Justin. Somehow this whole thing has improved Artis' relationship with his children's mother? Fine. I guess, as Justin said, the world does not make sense. Now, however, it's finally time for the MTV airing of the red carpet!
8:02 p.m.: Miley Cyrus stole her hair from Gwen Stefani in 1998. Cyrus is nominated for four Moonmen and she will be performing at tonight's show. She's walking with Mike WiLL Made It, who produced a few tracks on her new album "Bangerz," due out Oct. 8.
8:05 p.m.: It's not going to be calm anywhere. Can't you hear those screams? It was hard to hear Ellie Goulding over all the excited fans in Brooklyn!
8:06 p.m.: Robin Thicke, who is nominated for four Moonmen including Video of the Year and will perform, clearly loves his wife so much. It's pretty adorable.
8:07 p.m.: Lady Gaga, who will be opening the VMAs with her new single "Applause" has just arrived! Mother Monster is looking quite demure and understated in her black gown. She's claiming she's going to one-up her dramatic performance as Jo Calderone at the 2011 VMAs. Is that even possible?!
8:13 p.m.: Mimicking Ashton Kutcher, Justin Timberlake said he's winning the "You Got Old" Award. He hinted at a little bit of nostalgia... does that mean an 'NSYNC reunion? (Probably.)
8:14 p.m.: First Moonman for Best Collaboration goes to... P!nk and Nate Ruess for "Just Give Me A Reason!" Additionally, Best Rock Video has been pushed to the pre-show, displaying the sliding importance of rock at the VMAs (this is the first year no rock act has performed at the award show). Unsurprisingly, 30 Seconds to Mars have won for their video "Up In The Air," no doubt due to their dedicated Echelon fanbase.
8:19 p.m.: The pre-show is jam packed with information and celebrity sightings. Wiz Khalifia was not particularly amused by Nikki and Sara's prop comedy. Meanwhile, Danity Kane announced they're back together and coming out with a new single this year! For those who don't remember, the girl group was created by Diddy on the MTV show "Making the Band" in 2005. They disbanded in 2009.
8:23 p.m.: Theme of the pre-show is the New Faces of Pop. Austin Mahone kicks things off with "What About Love." For those not in the know, this guy is basically the next Justin Bieber and started off as a huge fan of the "Baby" singer. He initially got famous covering Bieber's Christmas song "Mistletoe" on YouTube.
8:25 p.m.: While Mahone's performance DEFINITELY felt lip-synced, Grande is very clearly singing live. She starts off with "Baby I" before moving into her Top 10 single "The Way." Sorry, I know the comparison has been beaten to death, but this girl is so clearly the next Mariah Carey. Just listen to those chops!
8:33 p.m.: I'm still annoyed that MTV pushed the Best Rock Video award to the pre-show. But, at least 30 Seconds to Mars got to give a thank you speech! Also, Jared Leto does not age.
8:35 p.m.: After adorably saying she's getting some "Angelina Jolie up in hurr," with her high-slit animal print has hinted tht her new album "Prism" was going to be dark, but instead, she's letting the light in and the album came out colorful and hopeful. Not a huge surprise from Perry, who tends to be upbeat and happy. Listen to that roar!
8:42 p.m.: Oh snap! One Direction have just showed up! Digging the Joy Division shirt, Louis! The band also hinted they may have a new album out by the end of the year! Following 1D, Pharrell has taken over the red carpet with the first interesting entrance of the night. The "Get Lucky" and "Blurred Lines" performer rode in on a bike followed by BMX riders. Also, like Leto, Pharrell does NOT age. OMG.
8:50 p.m.: One, Jimmy Fallon is excited to see jazz. That makes one of us. Also, Austin Mahone is SO trying to be Bieber. It's... interesting. Does the world need two?
8:56 p.m.: Four minutes till show! I'm too worried about that Beats Pill commercial. Was that racist? It felt a little racist... :-/
8:58 p.m.: Taylor Swift looks... different. And she's the only lady up for Video of the Year. And if T. Swift wins, will we get her reaction face?
9:00 p.m.: ARE YOU READY?! VMAs start now with something nuts from Gaga. She starts it off in an all-white rectangle. This is going to be... interesting.
9:06 p.m: A fascinating performance from Lady Gaga, who seemed to go through both her "The Fame" and "Born This Way" era in her costuming before emerging in a seashell bikini, signifying "Artpop," somehow. Also, Daft Punk were the first artist announced as an appearing artist. So, is their appearance just not a surprise?
9:07 p.m.: One Direction are on stage to announce the first award for Best Pop Video. MTV, of course, cuts to Harry Styles' ex Taylor Swift while he's on stage. Somehow, 1D themselves aren't nominated for this category, even though they are up for several VMAs tonight, including Song of the Summer.
9:09 p.m.: First VMA for Best Pop Video goes to... Selena Gomez for "Come & Get It!" (Psst... Is the award *that* heavy, Selena? She was, like, buckling under its weight!)
9:11 p.m.: "The biggest peformance of Justin Timberlake's career, and it may not be all the way solo..." OH, OK MTV. Why even pretend 'NSYNC ain't there?
9:13 p.m.: Blink and ya missed it, but Eminem just announced his new album title via commerical. "MMLP2" out Nov. 5!
9:16 p.m.: Best Art Direction: Janelle Monae "Q.U.E.E.N.," Best Dance: Bruno Mars "Treasure", Best Cinematography: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, "Can't Hold Us," Best Direction: Justin Timberlake "Suit & Tie..." Dang, MTV, I cannot keep up with this pace! Give the artsy awards some due time...
9:18 p.m.: One, loved the Miley Cyrus impression from "SNL." Two, of course Miley comes out of a giant teddy bear with her tongue out, only before grabbing her own crotch and twerking... it's only right, in a way.
9:20 p.m.: MTV bleeped out "molly" from "We Can't Stop."
9:22 p.m.: I shrieked. This is kind of filthy. Miley joined Robin Thicke for "Blurred Lines," and was grabbing his junk and twerking on him. HIS WIFE IS IN THE AUDIENCE.
9:23 p.m.: Thicke starts performing his new single "Give It 2 U." I am so relieved. That whole Miley thing... Just is not sitting the right way. Basically, thank God for 2 Chainz... (Never thought I'd say that.)
9:25 p.m.: Lil Kim representing Brooklyn and Iggy Azaelia presenting Best Hip-Hop Video... The winner is... Macklemore & Ryan Lewis for "Can't Hold Us." By the way, who else is SO excited for their performance of "Same Love" later? It will surely be a lot cleaner than that Miley/Robin Thicke monstrosity.
9:33 p.m.: The promised Lady Gaga/Kia Hamsters commercial! Watch those little guys get all fit. Ya dig or ya creeped out? Me, I'll take anything over that Miley Cyrus twerk-fest. Sorry, I'm just a little emotionally scarred. :(
9:35 p.m.: Last year's host Kevin Hart takes the stage for a little stand up. The 2013 VMAs technically have no host, allowing the presenters to move things along. Is he bitter about not hosting? He keeps talking about it. And oh my, he's making some awkward jokes. He's taking on Miley's twerk-fest, Kendrick Lamar's "Control" verse and Lady Gaga's butt.
9:38 p.m.: Jared Leto presenting Kanye West, performing "Black Skinhead." Fun fact: 30 Seconds to Mars and Kanye West collaborated on a remix of the 30STM track "Hurricane."
9:39 p.m.: Kanye opens with "Blood on the Leaves," instead of "Black Skinhead," like he was reported to be performing. He's performing with much more fervor than, say, his "SNL" appearance in May. He's leaping around the stage and spinning around in front of a forest scene on a screen. Wonder why they changed the song he was supposed to do?
9:48 p.m.: Here's Pharrell, Daft Punk and Nile Rodgers. No performance, but a single announcement, perhaps and an appearance. Introducing Best Female Video... And the winner is... Taylor Swift, "I Knew You Were Trouble!" Of course, T. Swift remarks how she's a big fan of Daft Punk's. And once again, MTV cuts to Harry Styles. Is "I Knew You Were Trouble" about him?
9:51 p.m.: Best Video With A Social Message, presented by Ed Sheeran, goes to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert, who will be performing "Same Love" later. "Gay rights are human rights, there are no seperations," said Macklemore. AND LOOK HOW HAPPY MARY LAMBERT IS! Too great of a moment.
10:00 p.m.: Jimmy Fallon, who hosted the VMAs when Justin Timberlake made his solo debut, is introducing JT (and possibly 'NSYNC) before he wins his Video Vanguard Award.
10:01 p.m.: Justin Timberlake performance/award begins with a montage of Timberlake's solo videos on screen. Timberlake then proceeds to walk through the halls of Barclays Center singing his new "The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2" single "Take Back the Night," followed by men in suave suits and ladies in sparkling red jumpsuits.
10:03 p.m.: Timberlake is now in to "SexyBack," dancing and performing to the heavily electronic beat like the seasoned pro he is. "I still run this b**ch." Yes, you do, JT. He then goes in to "Like I Love You" and "My Love." Is it just my TV or does this sound really tinny? I hope it's just my set...
10:07 p.m.: "Cry Me A River" followed by "Senorita." The performance is a run through of Timberlake's solo singles. Fellow musicians in audience clearly feeling it. Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez are shown singing along. It's nice when pop stars are fans of other pop stars.
10:08 p.m.: First solo single, "Rock Your Body." Seems like they're moving backward through Timberlake's solo career. Is 'NSYNC up next?!
10:10 p.m.: Dramatic pan to... Lots of screams and five bodies. IT'S 'NSYNC Y'ALL AND PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR MINDS!!!
10:11 p.m.: Terribly kept secret, but here they are! Performance starts with "Girlfriend" and dancing. Do I hear "Bye Bye Bye?!" Just for a bit of a dance. JC Chasez has to get his "Baby, baby, baby" in there. I hope it felt good, JC. I hope it felt good...
10:13 p.m.: Following the VERY brief 'NSYNC reunion, Timberlake goes back to his solo material, performing "Suit & Tie." MTV keeps cutting to Taylor Swift, for some reason.
10:14 p.m.: A 15-minute performance concludes with "Mirrors." A great journey through Timberlake's discography, though honestly, that 'NSYNC reunion was was too short. Was it even 90 seconds?
10:17 p.m.: Jimmy Fallon: "It's fitting that Justin Timberlake gets this award because 20 years in to doing this, he's become a legend." He also jokes that "Cry Me A River" is about him.
10:18 p.m.: Justin Timberlake has won 14 VMAs and one lifetime achievement award.
10:19 p.m.: "I don't deserve this award, but I'm not giving this back; I'm taking it home," said Timberlake, before thanking his videos' directors and parents. He shared his award with 'NSYNC. "We can keep it at my house, but I'm sharing it with them."
10:26 p.m.: "I know 'NSYNC was pissed; he only let them do one song." You and me both, Joey Fatone.
10:27 p.m.: Why does MTV keep bringing Kevin Hart out? Why didn't they just hire him to host again? And he's REALLY in to Lady Gaga's ass.
10:29 p.m.: I hate to be *that* guy, but does the average MTV viewer know who Vampire Weekend is? Why are they introducing Song of the Summer? They're a rock act. They belong in pre-show! Anyway, as of red carpet time, One Direction were ahead by like 4 million votes, despite Miley Cyrus' best efforts. So, yeah, they won. Good night for boy bands!
10:31 p.m.: Harry Styles takes the mic, thanks the Directioners and the director of "Best Song Ever." Harry, you had your chance to shade Taylor Swift, but I guess you're too classy for that...
10:32 p.m.: One introductor talks about the struggle of gay rights versus the struggle of being black in America. A$AP Rocky plugs his new album... Anyway. Here's Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert performing "Same Love." Song has a lot of meaning and is wonderfully honest. Glad it won Best Video With A Social Message.
10:34 p.m.: Dang, this song has SO much power live. And isn't Mary Lambert adorable. She's so happy to be there. The way she smiles when singing "My love" is too beautiful.
10:37 p.m.: Jennifer Hudson, why not? But her and Mary Lambert together singing "I'm not crying on Sunday" is quite beautiful.
10:43 p.m.: n00b Award goes to... Austin Mahone. Pretty obvious, considering he performed at the red carpet ceremony and has a huge Mahomies fanbase. Wonder what would have happened if Ariana Grande was nominated...
10:46 p.m.: T-Boz and Chilli of TLC introduce Drake, who begins his performance mimicking his new album cover for "Nothing Was The Same." Drake begins by rocking his new single "Hold On, We're Going Home." Then, he launches into "Started From The Bottom." He's rapping with WAY more energy onstage than he does on record.
10:55 p.m.: Taylor Swift introduces Best Male Video. All solid nominees! The VMA goes to... Bruno Mars for "Locked Out of Heaven!" Kind of a surprise, considering Justin Timberlake won the Vanguard Award and Robin Thicke's video got so much buzz! But, Bruno Mars can smile, so it's okay. :)
10:58 p.m.: Man, though. That Bruno Mars win was a MAJOR upset. He bested multi-VMA winner Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, too.
11:04 p.m.: Bruno Mars' performance of "Gorilla" introduced by Selena Gomez. Boy just won a major award, so he best bring it. Not like he wouldn't, anyway. Mars has some MAJOR pumps.
11:15 p.m.: Looking as good as ever in a gray suit and speaking very dramatically, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is announcing the winner for Video Of The Year... and the biggest Moonman of the night goes to Justin Timberlake for "Mirrors!" A huge night for Timberlake! Taylor Swfit does NOT look pleased, however. He dedicates the award to his grandparents, who inspired the clip. "This is amazing, because it's so personal to me," he said. Look at Momma Timberlake, she's so PROUD!
11:18 p.m.: "Girls" actress Allison Williams introduces Katy Perry, who will perform "Roar" atP the Brooklyn Bridge. ARE YOU READY?
11:19 p.m.: Perry is taking her roar and eye of the tiger in a boxing ring. She's punching her way through each round and knocking her vocals out of the park!
11:23 p.m.: Typically, these things run over, but the VMAs have come to an end with Perry seven minutes early! Thanks for watching along with me! Keep up with MStars News tomorrow to read more about the night's biggest events, surprised and drama!