T.I., Eminem & Beyonce Win At Video Music Awards 2009

The annual ceremony, which was hosted by comedian Russell Brand, kicked off with a tribute to the late iconic singer who passed away last June.

Madonna opened the show with a speech about her friend Michael Jackson, telling of her almost lifelong relationship with him. "Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being, but yes, he was a king," she told the crowd at Radio City Music Hall, which included Joe and Jermaine Jackson. "Long live the king." After Madonna's opening homage - "It was good to finally get to say my piece," she said later in the press room - the musical tribute started with MJ look-alikes recreating his moves from such memorable videos as "Bad," "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller." When "Scream," Jackson's duet with sister Janet, appeared on the jumbo screen behind the stage, she came out to dance as they both did in the original video. When the number was over, she looked up, and then bowed her head. (Newsday)

Winners: Video of the Year: Beyonce's "Single Ladies," Best Female Video: Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me," Best Rock Video: Green Day's "21 Guns," Best Pop Video: Britney Spears' "Womanizer," Best Male Video: T.I. & Rihanna's "Live Your Life," Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem's "We Made You," Best New Artist: Lady Gaga, Best Video That Should Have Won A Moonman: Beastie Boys' "Sabotage," Best Breakthrough Video: Matt & Kim's "Lessons Learned." Best Choreography: Beyonce's "Single Ladies," Best Editing: Beyonce's "Single Ladies," Best Special Effects: Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi," Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi," Best Direction: Green Day's "21 Guns" (Associated Press)

Aside from the awards and performances, there was also an instance where Kanye West stormed onto the stage.

Moments after Taylor Swift's win for Best Female Video ('You Belong With Me') was announced tonight at MTV's Video Music Awards, a furious Mr. West ran onstage, grabbed a mic, and interrupted her acceptance speech to announce his belief that Beyonce's 'Single Ladies' deserved that award instead. (Entertainment Weekly)

Prior to the awards ceremony, an alleged "winners" list leaked online nearly 24 hours before the actual show.

Public Vote: Best New Artist: Lady Gaga, Best Female Video: Beyonce's "Single Ladies," Best Male Video: Eminem's "We Made You," Best Pop Video: Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," Best Rock Video: Paramore's "Decode," Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem's "We Made You," Breakthrough Video: Matt & Kim's "Lessons Learned," Best Video (That Should Have Won A Moonman): Radiohead's "Karma Police," Video of the Year: Lady Gaga's "Poker Face." (Rap Radar)

However, it was later confirmed that the list was fake.

"Guys, that leaked VMA winners list is fake. (You hear it first!) @mtv," a message read from an MTV Twitter page." (MTV Buzzworthy Twitter)