Janes Blog: Lady Gaga To Open The 2011 VMAs

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Lady Gaga To Open The 2011 VMAs

Gaga reveals the big news alongside her Little Monsters in Times Square during 'MTV First: Lady Gaga.'
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Little Monsters unfurl a banner revealing that Lady Gaga will open the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards
Photo: AP

During "MTV First: Lady Gaga" on Thursday night (August 18), the Mother Monster, joined by a sea of her fans in Times Square, announced that she has the coveted spot of opening the 2011 Video Music Awards.

The Little Monsters, right in the center of the hustle and bustle of Times Square, unfurled a banner that read, "GAGA TO OPEN VMAs!!!," revealing that Lady Gaga would have the distinction of kicking off the big show Sunday, August 28, when it all goes down live at 9 p.m. at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

"I have a really big announcement," the New York native told Sway, the same night her "Yoü and I" video made its television debut. "But I thought as usual, instead of me announcing it, I'd let the Little Monsters do it for me."

Gaga Gives the Real Story Behind the "Yoü and I" video.

Gaga is nominated for four VMAs, including Best Female Video and Best Video With a Message for "Born This Way," as well as Best Art Direction and Best Choreography for "Judas."

"It means the world to me," Gaga said of opening the 2011 VMAs. "I just feel really blessed every day. I have the most amazing fans."

Lady Gaga first made VMA history back in 2009, when she appeared on the red carpet at Radio City Music Hall with Kermit the Frog as her date. That year, when she wasn't bleeding onstage during her "Paparazzi" performance, she was winning Moonmen for Best New Artist, Best Art Direction and Best Special Effects.

Lady Gaga Strips Down and Gets Jazzy In New VMA Promos

At the 2010 VMAs, Gaga didn't perform, but she did reveal her Born This Way album title and a few lines from the title track, taking the stage in a headline-making meat dress. She also arrived at the show in a voluminous Alexander McQueen ball gown while protesting the now-defunct "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Gaga took home eight Moonmen that night, including Video of the Year for "Bad Romance."

In 2011, Gaga will certainly have fans talking again as she sets the tone for the entire show.

The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com.

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