By Zaynah Rashid

Last night the world tuned in to watch the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. We all expected a night of hot winners and breathtaking performances by the industry’s biggest names. But no one could have foreseen the amount of drama that was about to go down in the next two and a half hours!

The 2009 VMAs were dedicated to Michael Jackson and the highlight of the night was his little sis Janet Jackson's moving tribute performance. Madonna opened the show by speaking about Michael's life. Surprisingly, she spoke less about his successful career and more about the fact that Michael never had a real childhood. On that gloomy note "Thriller" started to play and dancers took the stage to perform the King of Pop's signature moves. The tribute also featured "Smooth Criminal" and "Bad." But there was more to come. All of a sudden, Janet Jackson takes the stage to the tunes of "Scream," her 1995 duet with Michael. She proceeds to perform the video’s choreography, dancing alongside Michael on the screen. The tribute was fun and truly captured Michael's music at its best. But Janet, who hadn’t performed in a while, was very emotional at the end – and clearly exhausted!

Janet’s touching tribute was followed by the award for Best Female Video. The viewers had decided that the young country singer Taylor Swift should win, and so she did. But Kanye West, who apparently hadn’t been informed about the rules of the contest, thought it wise to utter his disdain for the starlet’s victory. While the happily shocked and glamorous Taylor took the stage to accept the award, Kanye stormed the stage, took the microphone out of Taylor's hand and expressed his love for Beyonce's video "Single Ladies." Nobody was sure what was going on but the audience started to boo. Beyonce looked stunned and MTV quickly cut to a video of Tracy Morgan and Eminem rehearsing for an upcoming performance. Apparently Kanye was asked to leave the award show, so he did what anybody in their right mind would do; he took to his blog to say he was sorry. Well we’re sorry for you Kanye ‘cause you just lost yourself some fans!

Up next was Lady Gaga's hyped performance. True to her usual - or should we say unusual - fashion style, she wore a white monkini and a feather mask, masquerade style. The performance recreated the video for the hit single "Paparazzi" and ended with the Lady staging a suicide by hanging! Fake blood dropped down her body and she smeared some on her face. Her eyes were glazed and her body still. And as if that wasn’t enough, Gagita continued her evening by changing outfits more often than Madonna changes boyfriends. She accepted the award for Best New Artist in a red dress that covered her face, which she only revealed to "thank God and the gays." She ended the night looking like an Eskimo; maybe she got cold during her gory routine.

When it was Beyonce’s turn to perform her hit "Single Ladies," for which she was nominated in several categories, she sure showed everyone how to bring sexy back! She taught the audience what the VMAs are all about with her music, entertaining mood, and right out wild dancing alongside an army of hot female dancers. When "Single Ladies" later won the award for Video of the Year, Beyonce asked Taylor to join her on stage to "have her moment." Staying in good spirits, Taylor said "let's try this again" and she gave her speech. We bet Kanye felt pretty stupid after that!

This year’s VMAs were memorable to say the least! From sore losers to crazy performances, the show will be talked about for years. We congratulate all the stars on their awards and amazing acts!

If you caught the awards let us know what you think. Did everyone deserve their awards? And what about Kanye's rudeness and Lady Gaga’s outrageous outfits? Check out the pics below and let us know who your favorite artist was and which moment you’re unlikely to forget!

1. Janet Jackson's MJ tribute    2. Kanye West steals Taylor Swift's moment

Clockwise From the Top: 1. Lady Gaga re-enacts "Paparazzi" Video    2. Lady Gaga as an Eskimo    3. Lady Gaga in a red short text

 

1. Beyonce in "Single Ladies"    2. "Where my ring at?"