This year’s MTV VMA awards has proven to be one of the most controversial and talked about in recent years. Arguably, the most talked about performance of the night came from the increasingly-risque Miley Cyrus, but the event was not short on eyebrow-raising moments. The awards, held annually, aim to bring together the world of pop music and visual entertainment for one star-studded night of fun. The special TV broadcast tends to draw impressive ratings and is often the showcase for special, innovative performances from hyped pop acts.

Taylor’s Night

Taylor Swift is no stranger to a little VMA controversy, she was of course part of the now-infamous Kanye West stage invasion at the 2009 awards. This year, while a little more subdued in nature by her standards, she set the social networking world alight with her obscene comments from the audience towards her ex-partner, Harry Styles. 1Direction were on stage to collect their award for ‘Song of the Summer’ as Taylor mouthed her true feelings under her breath. Taylor later accepted an award for ‘Best Female Video’ for her smash hit ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’.

Gaga Vs. Perry

These two pop icons are at the top of their careers, and both used the showcase that is the VMAs to put on some of the most elaborate and eye-catching performances of the night. Lady Gaga, performing her new single ‘Applause’ put on a typically outlandish show, complete with costume changes and dance routines that bordered on the line between artistic and erotic. Katy Perry went down a more traditional route, but was still able to put on a high-production value performance from inside a boxing ring, complete with hyper-active dance routines.

Timberlake Returns

Justin Timberlake has seen a phenomenal amount of success as a solo artist, and his medley of hits packed quite a punch last night at the VMAs. The crowd, which included fellow pop-icons Drake, Rihanna and Lady Gaga, were all visibly enjoying Timberlake’s professional and high-energy performance. He then joined his old N Sync band-mates to run through a brief medley of their own hits, something that went down very well with the audience and appeared to be a joyous moment for all of N Sync. His performance was met with a standing ovation and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award, presented to him by his friend Jimmy Fallon.

Miley’s Party

It seemed like few knew what to expect from a performance that began with a giant teddy bear, but things unfolded quickly from there. Miley climbed down the stairs from the bear and put on a raunchy run-through of her new hit ‘We Can’t Stop’ – it was certainly one of the most discussed moments of the night. Afterwords, Robin Thicke appeared on-stage to perform his smash of the summer ‘Blurred Lines’ with Miley – and from here things got even raunchier. Miley put on her best twerking routines and Robin delivered his performance with all the suave coolness that he has become famous for.