Miley stuns with homeless stunt
Wrecking Ball singer has homeless youth accept award for her at MTV VMAs
Forget the booty shake from last year.
But Miley Cyrus still grabbed the spotlight at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday night (yesterday morning Singapore time).
When Cyrus, 21, beat Beyonce, Sia, Pharrell Williams and Iggy Azalea to the Video of the Year honour with Wrecking Ball, she made no move to accept the Moonman.
The audience at The Forum in Inglewood, California, were left speechless when a nervous blond man named Jesse took to the stage to receive the award.
He did it on behalf of "the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the United States who are starving and lost and scared for their lives right now".
"I know this because I am one of those people," said the 22-year-old from Oregon who had accompanied Cyrus to the ceremony.
"I have survived in shelters all over this city, I've cleaned your hotel rooms, I've been in your movies, I've been an extra in your lives.
"The music industry will make over US$7 billion (S$8.75 billion) this year, and outside these doors are 54,000 human beings who have no place to call home," he said in his unexpected speech to the stunned audience, and with Cyrus moved to tears.
He then called for change, directing them to Cyrus' Facebook page and her campaign to raise awareness and money to curb youth homelessness.
COMPETITION
The US singer is spearheading a Prizeo.com fund-raising campaign for My Friend's Place, a homeless centre for youth in Hollywood.
With every US$5 donation, donors will be in the running to win a trip for two to Brazil to watch her from the best seats and cozy up with the star at her Sept 28 show in Rio de Janeiro.
Is this sudden act of philanthropy a veiled publicity stunt?
Many felt her tears were for real.
Cyrus, who traded her skimpy bodysuits for a simple leather tube top-and-pants get-up, later told MTV News: "I'm like, still on the verge of really crying so I could cry talking about it.
"I met Jesse, I went to this really cool place, it's called My Friend's Place. I just met him and from the second I saw him I knew he had something to say.
"People don't understand that everyone around doesn't look the same and doesn't have the same story.
"I just wanted him to be able to tell people that," added Cyrus, who had reportedly paid for a room at The BLVD Hotel & Spa for Jesse and bought him the black suit he wore for the event.
WILD CHILD NO MORE?
Is the wild child from last year gone? She admitted that the 2013 antics didn't make her happy.
Addressing last year's headline-making fiasco during her performance with US Singer Robin Thicke, she said: "I feel full. After last year at the VMAs, even though everyone talks about it, that doesn't make you feel full.
"At the end of the day you lay down and you're still the same, you're empty and this makes you feel completely full. It's the most (selfless) thing you could do by giving because it just feels so good."
The twist in the Cyrus plot took netizens by surprise, with many voicing their opinions on Twitter.
Fashion designer Prabal Gurung tweeted: "Wow @MileyCyrus that was a powerful way of using your fame for an important cause. I've always been a fan but deeper respect now."
Actor and Glee star Darren Criss said: "Very cool, @MileyCyrus. One-upped herself from last year in the most badass way. Turn heads then make em do something good. Bravo."
After last year at the VMAs, even though every one talks about it, that doesn't make you feel full. At the end of the day you lay down and you're still the same, you're empty and this makes you feel completely full.
- Miley Cyrus on how she has changed since she made headlines for twerking at the VMAs
Other VMAs highlights
DRUNK IN LOVE
Divorce? Says who?
Music's high-profile couple Beyonce and Jay Z looked every bit in love when he presented her with the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, together with their two-year-old daughter Blue Ivy.
Beyonce, whom her husband called "the greatest living entertainer", kissed and hugged her family through tears on stage before thanking them both, referring to them as "Blue, Blue" and "my beloved".
The 32-year-old singer had earlier performed a medley from her recent self-titled album, including XO, Flawless and Blue, as little Blue Ivy danced on Jay Z's lap.
WARDROBE HITS AND MISSES
Legs! Boobs! Back!
Some stars should consider spending their fat paycheques on more cloth before competing to see who will get arrested for indecency first.
They include US model-actress Amber Rose in her multi-chained dress a la Rose McGowan, as well as English singer Rita Ora, whose red backless dress also had a hip bone-high slit.
For the likes of US singer Demi Lovato and Nicki Minaj, cleavage-baring was the way to go.
Others, like fellow singer Katy Perry, chose to protect their modesty by going for a strange tried-and-tested formula - she appeared with US rapper Riff Raff in Britney Spears' and Justin Timberlake's dated matching full-denim recreations.
ANA-NO-BRA
A wardrobe malfunction is a given at any awards show.
This time it happened to US rapper Nicki Minaj.
But it didn't happen when she donned her snakeskin red carpet dress.
And no, not when she twerked on stage with snakeskin-painted thighs and shimmery green bra-and-panty combo to her new hit Anaconda.
The unveiling happened after she changed into a revealing little black dress to sing Bang Bang with English singer Jessie J and US crooner Ariana Grande, leaving Minaj struggling to protect her bits.
She awkwardly covered her parts with her hands clutching the front of her dress.
Minaj later took to Instagram to post a photo from the performance, saying: "As long as the nipple didn't come out to play, I'm fine."
Props to her for managing to hold it together.
SECRET LOVE
The rumours could be right - Ariana Grande and hip hop artist Big Sean may be an item.
Grande, who had earlier performed her hit Break Free, was caught on camera holding hands with the rapper backstage.
The 21-year-old singer, who also released her new album My Everything the same night, was last linked to The Janoskians' Jai Brooks.
Big Sean was previously engaged to Glee star Naya Rivera, but the couple split in April.
LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award - Beyonce
Video of the Year
Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball
Artist to Watch
Fifth Harmony - Miss Movin On
Best Rock Video
Lorde - Royals
Best Hip-hop Video
Drake featuring Majid Jordan - Hold On (We're Going Home)
Best Pop Video
Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea - Problem
Best Male Video
Ed Sheeran - Sing
Best Female Video
Katy Perry featuring Juicy J - Dark Horse
Best Lyric Video
5 Seconds of Summer - Don't Stop
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