With 13 MTV Video Music Awards nominations and six wins, Lady Gaga ruled the VMA's in her extravagant dresses (yes, there was more than one), sky-high platforms and spiked headpieces.

Gaga won the most coveted award of the evening, Video of the Year.

Chelsea Handler entered the stage for her opening monologue wearing a Gaga-inspired outfit. A small house sat on Handler’s head, with the garage door opening to reveal her face.

Handler’s “little monsters” removed the outfit before she cracked jokes about Kanye West’s behavior at the 2009 VMA’s and the Jersey Shore cast. 

Later in the show, Handler joined the Jersey crew in a hot tub on stage. When she left the hot tub she certainly had a situation – a fake, pregnant belly attached to her stomach. 

Eminem opened the show performing “Love The Way You Lie” and Rihanna made a surprise appearance to finish their collaborative song. Rihanna’s arrival set Twitter afire. The top four mentions on Twitter relating to the VMA’s were displayed throughout the show.

Live performances included: Usher, Taylor Swift, B.o.B., Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence and the Machine, Lincoln Park and Kanye West.

Taylor Swift sang a ballad influenced by her experience with West at last year’s VMA’s, appropriately titled "Forgiveness." 

Bieber made his VMA debut, performing outside the theatre for a mob of screaming fans before accepting the viewer’s choice award for best new artist.

Kanye performed his new single "Runaway" to round out the live performances. His undeniable talent may have converted some listeners back to his team after his antics at last year’s show.

Deadmau5 was the DJ for the event, which was held at the Nokia theatre at L.A. Live.

To reach reporter Jessica Zech, click here.

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