The MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) is not your typical awards show.    Outrageous outfits, outlandish behavior and unexpected, show-stopping performances were once again part of the 28^th annual VMA show held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on August 28, 2011.

VMA Fashion

While meat dresses were not in style this year, Kreayshawn donned a cartoon-inspired dress and red shoes and Jesse J was bedazzled.  Justin Bieber arrived at the show holding a live snake and wearing animal-print shoes and Katy Perry held a parasol that matched her outfit.  But Nicki Minaj took home the prize for the most unusual, hard-to-describe outfit.

VMA Performances

Live performances included Lady Gaga dressed in drag as alter-ego Jo Calderone, singing a smokin’ “You and I.”  Chris Brown was flying high during his live performance , rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West belted out “Otis“ and an emotional tribute to late singer Amy Winehouse were all part of the show.   And pop princess Britney Spears apparently wasn’t all that into Lady Gaga’s alter ego when he/she tried to plant a lip locking smooch on Spears telling the audience, “I’ve done that already.”

But the biggest headline (see the picture!) of the show was when 29-year-old superstar Beyonce Knowles told reporters on the red carpet she had a surprise.   Later, when performing “Love on Top,” Beyonce told the crowd to stand and “feel the love that’s growing inside me,” the singer unbuttoned her jacket and rubbed her baby bump.

2011 VMA Winners:

• Lady Gaga won Best Female Video for “Born This Way.”   Gaga also took home the Best Video with a Message Video, beating out nominees Eminem and Rihanna’s “Love the Way You Lie,” Pink, Rise Against, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift.
• Justin Bieber took home the trophy for Best Male Video for “U Smile.”  Nominees for this category were Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green,  Eminem and Rihanna and Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Rihanna.
• Katy Perry won Video of the Year Award for “Firework” beating nominees Adele, Bruno Mars, Beastie Boys and Tyler the Creator.  Perry also won Best Collaboration Award with Kanye West and Best Special Effects with Kanye West.
• Nicki Minaj won Best Hip-Hop Video Award for “Super Bass.”
• Britney Spears won the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and Best Pop Video Award for “Till the World Ends.”
• Tyler the Creator won Best New Artist.
• The Best Rock Video Award went to the Foo Fighters.
• Adele took home the Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Editing awards.
• Best Choreography went to Beyonce.

Fashion photos, videos and highlights of the 2011 VMAs are available on the MTV website. The show can also be seen in its entirety On Demand.