Last night Barack Obama accepted his party's nomination for the presidency from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Meanwhile, across the country, MTV took its own big show, the Video Music Awards, to the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles for the very first time. Not to conflict with that other big televised moment, MTV shifted its major spectacle ahead one hour. Still, folks at home had to make a choice between the award show or the convention on TV—not to mention Fashion's Night Out festivities in their hometowns.
While the V.M.A.s offered little in the way of the signature surprises previous years have delivered, the show still wowed with a splashy stage and performances by Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Alicia Keys, plus presenters like Andy Samberg, Miley Cyrus, and Rashida Jones. Comedian Kevin Hart hosted this year’s show.
Outside the arena, the requisite annual parties were going on at venues all over town. From Perez Hilton's bash with VH1's Save the Music Foundation at the Belasco Theater downtown, to In Touch weekly's "Icons & Idols" party at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, here's a look inside the night's big events.
Perez Hilton's "One Night in Los Angeles" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
Blogger Perez Hilton continued his international “One Night In…” concert series on V.M.A.'s night, presenting it in Los Angeles for the third time. Held at the Belasco Theater, the event benefited VH1 Save the Music.
Photo: Toby Canham/Getty Images for BMF Media
MTV Video Music Awards
Rihanna performed a splashy act onstage with the giant likeness of a cobra, complete with laser beams. However, the show offered few of its signature surprises.
Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
'In Touch' Weekly's "Icons & Idols" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
In Touch celeb weekly hosted its V.M.A. after-party at the Chateau Marmont, where lines to get in and for valet parking stretched down Sunset Boulevard.
Photo: Sean Smith
'In Touch' Weekly's "Icons & Idols" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
Bookem Danno Productions and Toast worked with In Touch to produce the event, where red pillows dotted smart-looking black and white seating groups in the alfresco space.
Photo: Sean Smith
'In Touch' Weekly's "Icons & Idols" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
DJs included Pauly D and Rick Rude, spinning from a custom DJ booth created by Bookem Danno and Toast that also served as the party's centerpiece. It was In Touch's fifth year hosting the party and the production team's third year producing it.
Photo: Sean Smith
'In Touch' Weekly's "Icons & Idols" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
Sponsor Eos beauty products brought cigarette girls who offered lip balm to guests on trays set with screens. Other major integrations included a custom-built treasure chest filled with Pirate Booty, and a souvenir photo area for Sun Drop soda. Ciroc and Bacardi Classic Cocktails poured at the bars.
Photo: Sean Smith
'In Touch' Weekly's "Icons & Idols" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
Eos also offered palm readings off in a quiet area apart from the main party space.
Photo: Sean Smith
Perez Hilton's "One Night in Los Angeles" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
Performers at the Perez Hilton event included Rita Ora, Far East Movement, Walk the Moon, the Saturdays, Iggy Azalea, Melanie Amaro, and IM5. The Cataracs, Static Revenger, and Timbuck2 manned the turntables.
Photo: Toby Canham/Getty Images for BMF Media
Perez Hilton's "One Night in Los Angeles" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
Perez Hilton's performance-packed “One Night In...” series—intended to break new artists—debuted in Austin, Texas, during the 2008 SXSW Music Festival, and has since made stops in Toronto, New York, and Liverpool.
Photo: Toby Canham/Getty Images for BMF Media
Perez Hilton's "One Night in Los Angeles" MTV V.M.A. After-Party
The Belasco Theater downtown—not far from MTV's big show at Staples—served as the ornate backdrop for Perez Hilton's music-filled event.
Photo: Toby Canham/Getty Images for BMF Media
'N.B.A. Baller Beats' MTV V.M.A. Lounge
N.B.A. Baller Beats for Xbox 360 hosted a lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. Live, with events both before MTV's big show (noon to 4 p.m.) and after (7 to 11 p.m.).
Photo: Tiffany Rose/WireImage
'N.B.A. Baller Beats' MTV V.M.A. Lounge
Guests tried their hands at the N.B.A. Baller Beats game station set up in the intimate party space, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass windows with sweeping views above downtown, from the Hollywood Hills to the ocean.
Photo: Tiffany Rose/WireImage
'N.B.A. Baller Beats' MTV V.M.A. Lounge
After the V.M.A.'s, the N.B.A. Baller Beats lounge hosted an intimate performance by the duo Karmin for about 100 guests. Also at the after-party, Timbaland debuted his new liqueur, Le Sutra, for the first time in L.A.
Photo: Tiffany Rose/WireImage
'N.B.A. Baller Beats' MTV V.M.A. Lounge
Team U.S.A.'s "Fab Five" gymnasts were among the athletes and celebrities who stopped by the lounge. Later, Gabby Douglas appeared on the V.M.A. stage.
Photo: Tiffany Rose/WireImage
'N.B.A. Baller Beats' MTV V.M.A. Lounge
Voli, Fergie's so-called light vodka brand, flowed from the bars for a music-minded sponsor tie-in.
Photo: Tiffany Rose/WireImage
'N.B.A. Baller Beats' MTV V.M.A. Lounge
Sprays of white flowers topped the bars for a sleek look appropriate to the luxe Ritz-Carlton residences. Sponsors Voli vodka and Refine mixers offered cocktails.
Photo: Tiffany Rose/WireImage
House of Hype Power Players Event Presented by 'Esquire' for the MTV V.M.A.s
The House of Hype Power Players event presented by Esquire magazine took to the Beverly Hills Hotel for dinner and an after-party.
Photo: Michael Bezjian/WireImage
House of Hype Power Players Event Presented by 'Esquire' for the MTV V.M.A.s
Air Alcohol Water offered its wares to fuel the late-night crowd.
Photo: Michael Bezjian/WireImage
House of Hype Power Players Event Presented by 'Esquire' for the MTV V.M.A.s
Guests stayed at the after-party until about 2:30 a.m., listening to beats by DJ Irie and DJ Cobra. Katy Perry, John Mayer, Cheryl Burke, the Wanted, and Topher Grace were among those who stopped by. Sponsor Svedka Colada poured from an illuminated-front bar.
Photo: Michael Bezjian/WireImage
