There may have been no signature moment at this year's MTV Video Music Awards, but there was a signature sound: the screams of teenage girls wild about One Direction.
One Direction, stealing the show with aplomb
The British boy-band were the toast of the evening in Los Angeles on Thursday night as they picked up a trio of big trophies for their hit What Makes You Beautiful.
The British hunks, who also performed at the ceremony, picked up their first ever VMA just before the event officially started when the promo for their track was voted Most Share-Worthy Video by fans.
One Direction At The VMA's
Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan,(01 of25)
Members of the British band One Direction, from left, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan pose backstage with their awards at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(02 of25)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Singers Niall Horan (L) and Harry Styles (R) of One Direction accept the award for Best Pop Video from singer Katy Perry onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Katy Perry, Niall Horan(03 of25)
Katy Perry, left, presents the best pop video award to Niall Horan, of musical group One Direction, for "What Makes You Beautiful" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(04 of25)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Rapper Wiz Khalifa and singer Ke$ha present the award for Best New Artist to One Direction onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(05 of25)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Singer Niall Horan (R) of One Direction accepts the Best Pop Video award from singer Katy Perry onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles(06 of25)
Members of the British band One Direction, from left, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles perform at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne(07 of25)
Members of the British band One Direction, from left, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne accept the award for best new artist at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles(08 of25)
From left, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles, of musical group One Direction, walk onstage to accept the best new artist award at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne(09 of25)
Members of the British band One Direction, from left, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne accept the award for best new artist at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson(10 of25)
From left, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, of musical group One Direction, perform at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Katy Perry, Niall Horan, Harry Styles(11 of25)
From left, Katy Perry presents the best pop video award to Niall Horan and Harry Styles, of musical group One Direction, for "What Makes You Beautiful" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik(12 of25)
From left, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, of musical group One Direction, accept the best new artist award at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles(13 of25)
From left, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik, of musical group One Direction, walk onstage to accept the best new artist award at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Katy Perry, Niall Horan, Harry Styles(14 of25)
Katy Perry, left, presents the best pop video award to Niall Horan and Harry Styles, right, of musical group One Direction, for "What Makes You Beautiful" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Harry Styles(15 of25)
Harry Styles, of musical group One Direction, gestures as he wins the best pop video award for "What Makes You Beautiful" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(16 of25)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Singers Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Harry Styles of One Direction perform onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(17 of25)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Singers Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne of One Direction accept the award for Best New Artist onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(18 of25)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Harry Styles of the band One Direction onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(19 of25)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Singers Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik of One Direction perform onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(20 of25)
One Direction arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA Wire/PA Wire)
Harry Styles(21 of25)
Harry Styles, right, of the British band One Direction greets fans at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson(22 of25)
Members of the British band One Direction, from left, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson(23 of25)
Members of the British band One Direction, from left, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Liam Payne arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Louis Tomlinson(24 of25)
Louis Tomlinson from the British band One Direction, right, greets fans at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Harry Styles, Zayn Malik(25 of25)
Harry Styles, center, and Zayn Malik, background right, of musical group One Direction, walk onstage to accept the award for best new artist at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
The quintet went on to win Best New Artist and Best Pop Video as well.
Rihanna kicked off things with a spicy performance to open the show, then ended it by taking the show's top honour, video of the year, for her steamy hit We Found Love.
She wore a figure-hugging, elegant scoop-backed white dress before changing into a flowing red outfit for her medley of new single Cockiness (I Love It) with rapper A$AP Rocky and We Found Love.
The camera returned to the pop star often - except when it was on One Direction, which provided the night's most screamed-over performance.
"We've grown up watching this show and to even be here is an honour," Niall Horan said from the stage.
The quintet seemed stunned as fans screamed upon announcement of their win. The group performed later, rising to a stairwell surrounded by screaming, reaching female fans on an elevated platform and bringing most attendees to their feet.
"This has been unbelievable," Harry Styles said backstage. "This was our favourite performance we've ever done. For us to be here in the first place is amazing, and to perform and win a Moonman is amazing."
Chris Brown pulled off something of an upset in the best male video category. Rihanna's former boyfriend won for his self-directed video Turn Up The Music, beating out several top stars, including Drake, who tied Rihanna for most nominations with five. Brown also won for best cinematography.
Drake was at the podium minutes later when his HYFR collaboration with label boss Lil Wayne landed him the Best Hip Hop Video trophy.
Calvin Harris was also a big winner on the night - not only was he booked as the event's house DJ, but he also collected two MTV Moonmen trophies for Best Electronic Dance Music Video (Feel So Close) and a share of the Video of the Year prize with Rihanna for We Found Love.
COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS BELOW
VMA Red Carpet
Rihanna(01 of69)
Rihanna arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(02 of69)
Rihanna arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(03 of69)
Rihanna arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Rihanna(04 of69)
Rihanna arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(05 of69)
Rihanna arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Rihanna(06 of69)
Rihanna performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Rihanna(07 of69)
Rihanna performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Rihanna, A$AP Rocky(08 of69)
Rihanna, left, and A$AP Rocky perform at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Rihanna(09 of69)
Rihanna performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Emma Watson(10 of69)
Emma Watson attends the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Emma Watson(11 of69)
Emma Watson arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals - Los Angeles(12 of69)
Emma Watson arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Ezra Miller, Emma Watson(13 of69)
Ezra Miller, left, and Emma Watson arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals - Los Angeles(14 of69)
Emma Watson and Ezra Miller arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards, at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(15 of69)
The Saturdays arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Rebel Wilson, Max George, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, Tom Parker(16 of69)
From left, Rebel Wilson and Max George, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran and Tom Parker, of musical group The Wanted, present an award onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Rebel Wilson, Max George, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, Tom Parker(17 of69)
Australian actress Rebel Wilson and Max George, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran and Tom Parker, of musical group The Wanted, present an award onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(18 of69)
The Wanted arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan,(19 of69)
Members of the British band One Direction, from left, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan pose backstage with their awards at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Harry Styles(20 of69)
Harry Styles, of musical group One Direction, gestures as he wins the best pop video award for "What Makes You Beautiful" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Harry Styles, Zayn Malik(21 of69)
Harry Styles, center, and Zayn Malik, background right, of musical group One Direction, walk onstage to accept the award for best new artist at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet(22 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Singer Katy Perry arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet(23 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Singer Katy Perry arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet(24 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Singer Katy Perry arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Red Carpet(25 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Singer Katy Perry arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Rihanna(26 of69)
Rihanna arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(27 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Singer Niall Horan (R) of One Direction accepts the Best Pop Video award from singer Katy Perry onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(28 of69)
Miley Cyrus arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(29 of69)
Miley Cyrus arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(30 of69)
Miley Cyrus arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Miley Cyrus(31 of69)
Singer-actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Miley Cyrus(32 of69)
Miley Cyrus attends the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals(33 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Rapper Wiz Khalifa and model Amber Rose arrive at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Amber Rose(34 of69)
Amber Rose arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Wyck Godfrey, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Jackson Rathbone(35 of69)
From left, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Wyck Godfrey, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Jackson Rathbone speak onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Wyck Godfrey, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Jackson Rathbone(36 of69)
From left, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Wyck Godfrey, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Jackson Rathbone speak onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Jackson Rathbone(37 of69)
From left, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Jackson Rathbone speak onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(38 of69)
Pink arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(39 of69)
Pink arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Pink(40 of69)
Pink performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Pink(41 of69)
Pink performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Pink(42 of69)
Pink performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Pink(43 of69)
Pink performs in the audience at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(44 of69)
Taylor Swift arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Taylor Swift(45 of69)
Taylor Swift surfs the crowd at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Taylor Swift(46 of69)
Taylor Swift performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Taylor Swift(47 of69)
Taylor Swift performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Taylor Swift(48 of69)
Taylor Swift performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Taylor Swift(49 of69)
Taylor Swift performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Rita Ora(50 of69)
Rita Ora arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Rita Ora(51 of69)
British singer-songwriter Rita Ora arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Rita Ora, Chris Brown(52 of69)
Rita Ora, right, presents the award for best male video to Chris Brown for Turn Up the Music at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(53 of69)
Alicia Keys arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
Alicia Keys(54 of69)
Alicia Keys performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Alicia Keys(55 of69)
Alicia Keys attends the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Alicia Keys(56 of69)
Alicia Keys attends the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(57 of69)
Ke$ha arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(58 of69)
Green Day arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(59 of69)
Nikki Minaj arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(60 of69)
Nikki Minaj arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
MTV VMA 2012 Arrivals - Los Angeles(61 of69)
Nikki Minaj arriving at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles. (credit:PA)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(62 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Rappers Lil Wayne (R) and 2 Chainz perform onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(63 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Rapper Lil Wayne performs onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(64 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) U.S. Olympic gymnasts Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Alexandra Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber speak onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chris Brown(65 of69)
Chris Brown acepta el premio al mejor video masculino por "Turn Up the Music" en la ceremonia de los Premios MTV a los Videos Musicales, el jueves 6 de septiembre del 2012 en Los Angeles. (Foto por Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Chris Brown(66 of69)
Chris Brown accepts the award for best male video for "Turn Up the Music" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(67 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Singer Chris Brown accepts the award for Best Male Video from presenters Demi Lovato and Rita Ora onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(68 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Singer Chris Brown accepts the award for Best Male Video from presenters Demi Lovato and Rita Ora onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show(69 of69)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: A view of the stage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The main list of winners is:
Best Video with a Message - Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
Most Share-Worthy Video - What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
Best Pop Video - What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
Best Male Video - Turn up the Music by Chris Brown
Best Hip Hop Video - HYFR by Drake feat. Lil Wayne
Best Female Video - Starships by Nicki Minaj
Best New Artist - What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
Video of the Year - We Found Love by Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
Best Electronic Dance Music Video - Feel So Close by Calvin Harris
Best Rock Video - Paradise by Coldplay