It was in MTV Video Music Awards 2003, exactly ten years ago, when pop icon Madonna pulled a stunt that made the whole world gasp in shock – she smooched Britney Spears and Christian Aguilera in their star-studded all ladies’ performance of “Like a Virgin” and “Hollywood”. Will MTV VMAs this year hold the same element of shocking surprises?

Who Will Be Receiving Awards?

One sure winner of the night is Justin Timberlake who is said to be receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award which, according to sources, will be presented by none other than Timberlake’s good friend, TV host Jimmy Fallon. The host of artists who have received the award in the past include Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., Beastie Boys, Peter Gabriel, Madonna and even Justin’s ex-girlfriend Britney Spears.

Additionally, Timberlake along with rapper Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have emerged at the top in the awards list with six nominations each, followed by Bruno Mars with four, then Pink, Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke stand close by with each having three nominations. Other contenders for the moon men trophies are Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Drake, fun., Calvin Harris and Taylor Swift. First timers like Lana Del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, Capital Cities and the Weeknd also managed to secure spots in the nominations.

Performances and Speculations

MTV Video Music Awards 2013 will surely open with a bang since it will be Lady Gaga who will do the Award Night’s kick-off with a performance of her new song “Applause”. The artist had admitted in one interview that she has been working hard practicing for her performance this August 25:

“I am opening the show. Well, yes, I’m dancing and what you see in the video is where I am now with my body. I’m dancing ’til my feet bleed every day to make sure I give the fans a performance that they won’t forget.”

Another surprise-loving artist will end the show, and that is Katy Perry. She will be doing her current single “Roar” from a as-yet undisclosed location. With these two singers opening and closing the night, it will not be a surprise if they do execute something “shocking” within their stints. After all, unlike other more formal and conventional awarding events, the MTV VMAs does have a reputation of getting a bit rowdy, rough and fun, so crazy happenings are expected.

There is also speculation that Justin Timberlake’s former boy group, N-Sync, will do a one-night reunion performance in light of the former being a Vanguard Award recipient. However, sources are vague about the said get-together, and at least one former N-Sync member had denied it. On the other hand, Justin Timberlake will definitely perform his new single “Take Back the Night.” Other acts to hit the VMAs stage are Miley Cyrus, Drake and Kanye West.