2009 Best Moments from the MTV VMAs

Double take! Though Pink and Shakira arrived at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (held at Radio City Music Hall in N.Y.C) in the same Balmain dress, the claws didn't come out and no love was lost. "I think it's hilarious!" said Pink about the wardrobe snafu. "I don't care; I hope she's not mad." Later in the show, the singer changed into a sparkly purple leotard, complete with a heart pastie, during an aerial Cirque du Soleil-like performance of her hit song "Sober," 30 feet above the stage.

-with reporting by Nakisha Williams

• Instead of its usual over-the-top show opening, the Video Music Awards began with Madonna under a single spotlight, giving a moving speech about her late friend Michael Jackson. "I hope that wherever Michael is right now, he is smiling about this. [He] was a human being, but dammit he was a king. Long live the king."
• Watch the exclusive trailer for the Michael Jackson documentary This is It

Michael's little sister gave every bit of herself as she sang and danced to "Scream," the song she recorded with her brother in 1995. Janet was joined onstage by some of the world's most renowned choreographers and Michael's tour dancers, who recreated some of Jackson's famous music video routines including "Bad," "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller." Brother, Jermaine and father, Joe Jackson were in the audience for the passionate performances.

Country music star Taylor Swift was overwhelmed with excitement as she won her first MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video. Her mood quickly changed when Kanye West stormed the stage, grabbed the mic from her hands and ranted that Beyonce should have won. The young and gracious star didn't have any unkind words for West, only that she "had a really fun and interesting night."

After a quick thank you for winning the Video of the Year award, Beyonce (in Roberto Cavalli) graciously invited Taylor Swift back onstage to finish her acceptance speech and have her moment. "I thought I couldn't love Beyonce any more, but then tonight happened and it was just wonderful," said Swift.

Wild screams filled Radio City Music Hall when Twilight stars Robert Pattinson (in Dries van Noten), Kristen Stewart (in Valentino) and Taylor Lautner (in Calvin Klein) hit the stage to debut the extended movie trailer for the Twilight sequel, New Moon.

It was a huge night for Lady Gaga who won three of the nine awards for which she was nominated, including Best New Artist. The blood-spattered star shocked audiences when she faked her death at the end of her performance of "Paparazzi." Still the biggest buzz came from the wide range of theatrical outfits the pop singer debuted throughout the night-starting with the black Jean Paul Gaultier dress and a Keko Hainswheeler neck brace she wore on the red carpet (accompanied by Kermit the Frog of course) to the head and face covering red-lace dress she wore to accept her award.

InStyle's September cover girl Jennifer Lopez showed off her fit gams in a Louis Vuitton minidress and Christian Louboutin booties while presenting the award for Best Hip-Hop Video, which went to Eminem. The sexy star was accompanied to the event by hubby Marc Anthony, making it an official date night for the couple.

Leighton Meester channeled her inner rock star by going heavy on the eye makeup and baring some skin in a metallic Christian Cota minidress. Besides presenting an award alongside Jack Black, Meester was nominated for a VMA for her collaboration with Cobra Starship on the hit single "Good Girls Go Bad."

Justin Timberlake didn't make it as a leotard-wearing back-up dancer this time, but the crowd still danced in their seats to Beyonce's energetic performance of her hit "Single Ladies"-metal glove included.

"The perfect VMA outfit is something really edgy and eye catching," said the The Twilight Saga star, who wore a Dolce & Gabbana skirt and top, a Rebecca Minkoff clutch and Jimmy Choo heels. "I feel like the VMAs is a place where you can let go and be a little crazy." Greene also played fashion correspondent for MTV on the red carpet.

"We couldn't be any more excited to be in our hometown performing this song," said Alicia Keys of her first musical collaboration with Jay-Z's, "Empire State of Mind." MTV's America's Best Dance Crew judge Lil Mama caused a final stir when she followed in Kanye's footsteps and crashed the stage during the show-ending performance.

The Hills's new leading lady Kristin Cavallari and singer Katy Perry (in The Blonds) were a vision in silver sequins and smoky eyes. Perry performed Queen's "We Will Rock You" accompanied by legendary guitarist Joe Perry, while Cavallari presented an award with singer Nelly Furtado.

The City star Whitney Port (in a Christopher Kane dress and Fred Leighton diamonds), took a break from fashion (her line Whitney Eve debuted during Fashion Week days earlier) and was most looking forward to seeing the night's performances. "You feel like you're at a concert watching ten different performances. I'm most looking forward to seeing Janet Jackson!"