NEW YORK—Taylor Swift’s moment in the sun—at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) at Radio City Music Hall in New York City—was eclipsed by Kanye West as he took to the stage in one of the more inconceivable outbursts in years.
The 19-year old country singer had won the award for best female video and had begun her acceptance speech. But she was unable to finish it as rapper Kanye West stormed the stage, upset at her unexpected victory over Beyonce Knowles’ “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)”
West took over the microphone from Swift, and said, “Taylor, I’m really happy for you, and I’m gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!”
The crowd booed West’s shocking outburst, and the rapper was asked to leave the show shortly afterwards. He later apologized to Swift and her fans.
In a previous incident, Kanye West had walked out of the American Music awards when another country singer Gretchen Wilson won instead of him.
Michael Jackson Tribute, “New Moon” Film
The VMA this year—the first in New York City since 2006—began with a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Madonna delivered the opening address with a tribute to the late pop singer, followed by dancers performing to the music of “Bad,” “Thriller” and other Jackson hits.
Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson’s pop singer sister, later made her much anticipated appearance in the show, dancing to his hit “Scream.”
Hollywood stars were also out in full force at the award ceremony.
The cast members of “New Moon”, the second installment of the “Twilight” saga-including Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, and Kristen Stewart, made an appearance that resulted in hysterical screams from young adults, the biggest fan base for the “Twilight” series. A new preview for the film, which releases later this fall, was screened during the award ceremony.
Ironically, tennis star Serena Williams was also present at the VMA Awards. Her profane comments at the U.S. Open over the weekend resulted in her disqualification from the U.S. Open tennis tournament quarterfinals and a hefty $10,000 fine.
Irate viewers and several entertainment industry bigwigs were calling for a similar censuring in response to Kanye West’s actions.
