The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards are this weekend, and even though Lady Gaga is not performing this year (she's too busy killing it, literally and figuratively, on the set of American Horror Story), it's still an exciting night for all pop music fans. Take a look back at Lady Gaga's best VMAs moments, from her bloody good debut at the 2009 show, to her stunning performance of "Applause" in 2013, below!
1. When Gaga made her VMA red carpet debut with Kermit the Frog
Accompanied by Kermit the Frog, Lady Gaga arrived at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards wearing a stunning black Jean Paul Gaultier dress bedecked with feathers. "I'm here supporting my friends tonight, and we're just really happy to be here," Gaga told Sway during her first VMA red carpet interview. "We love MTV. And I'm really happy to be here with my date, Kermit."
2. When Gaga changed the game with her bloody performance of "Paparazzi"
Lady Gaga took the stage for the iconic performance of "Paparazzi," which is still considered to be one of the best performances in the history of the VMAs. Inspired the death of Princess Diana, and the public's fascination with the demise of the celebrity, Gaga covered herself in blood and staged a fake death as she sang the hit single from her debut album The Fame.
3. When Gaga won her first Video Music Award for Best New Artist
Lady Gaga accepted her very first MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist from Eminem. "I will always remember Best New Artist," Gaga recalls. 'I just remember that I won and I was surprised and I was really taken aback. I remember I asked Eminem to hold my Moonman. And than he sort of looked at me like, 'Are you f—ing kidding me?' But he's really cool, so it was fine."
4. When Gaga scored eighteen nominations and broke records
Following the release of her epic music videos for "Bad Romance" and "Telephone," Lady Gaga scored thirteen Video Music Awards nominations and broke the record for the most nods in a single night. She earned five more additional nominations as a featured artist on Beyoncé's "Video Phone," bringing the total to eighteen. Lady Gaga still holds the record and no artist has ever come close to breaking it.
5. When Gaga brought discharged gay soldiers to the red carpet
Lady Gaga had not one but four guests when she arrived at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet. Gaga's dates were gay and lesbian soldiers who had been discharged due to the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. "I'm here for a very important cause today," Gaga said. "These are all my friends and their stories are really inspiring and there's so much that we can do right now. The most inspiring thing about having them here with me today is that we can spread the message, because we really need to to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
6. When Gaga wowed the world with the meat dress
When Lady Gaga took the stage to accept the Video of the Year Moonman for "Bad Romance" - her eighth award of the night - wearing a dress made of raw meat. The instantly-iconic outfit, now on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was a statement about the need to fight for what we believe in, otherwise "we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones."
7. When Gaga announced Born This Way
Just when fans thought the night couldn't get any better, Lady Gaga dropped the ultimate surprise and announced the title of her album Born This Way. "I was so nervous for tonight that I would let my fans down," a tearful Gaga told the crowd before singing lines from the album's title track, which a year later would go on to change the lives of millions of people.
8. When Gaga opened the VMAs in drag
Lady Gaga wowed the crowed when she opened the VMAs as her male alter-ego Jo Calderone with a lengthy monologue about Calderone's troubled relationship with the star. To prepare for the performance, Gaga spent the whole day in drag and even used men's restrooms.
"She showed up as Jo, rehearsed as Jo, if you said 'Gaga,' she wouldn't respond," said VMA Executive Producer Dave Sirulnick. "After rehearsals, she comes over, she says to me, 'It's nice to meet you,' and I say to her, 'I know your friend Gaga,' and she says, 'That Gaga, what a bitch!' She did not break character once. Over the years, lots of people have done lots of things, lots of people have worn lots of things, but no one has been that committed, that in character."
9. When Gaga performed "Yoü and I" with Brian May
Gaga then launched into an epic performance of her hit single "Yoü and I" during which she sang, danced, drank beer and jammed with legendary Queen guitarist Brian May.
10. When Gaga almost made out with Britney Spears
Still in drag, Lady Gaga stepped out onstage to honor to Britney Spears with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. "When I used to perform at open mic nights for free, at small clubs in New York, one of my biggest inspirations was Britney Spears," she said. "Britney taught me how to be fearless, she taught us all how to be fearless. She's a pop music legend, and the industry would not be the same without her."
Gaga continued: "I used to have photos of Britney on my walls and would touch myself when I was laying in bed." She then pulled Britney in for a kiss, but the pop princess rejected the attempt, saying: "I've already done that!"
11. When Gaga changed five outfits in three minutes and sang "Applause"
Lady Gaga made a grand return to the VMAs stage when she opened the 2013 show with "Applause." During the epic performance, Mother Monster went through five quick outfit changes highlighting the looks she has sported over her career.
Monsters, what Lady Gaga moment at the MTV Video Music Awards is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
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