2012 MTV Video Music Awards: Best & Worst Moments and Full Winner's List

Kevin Hart's jokes, amazing performances and an appearance from the Fierce Five? What else happened?!

By Bruna Nessif Sep 07, 2012 3:34 AMTags
Rebel Wilson, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, MTV Video Music Awards 2012Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Christopher Polk/Getty Images; Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Who else is voting for Kevin Hart for president?

The amazing host brought on the laughs during tonight's 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and between him, the stellar performances and the star-packed audience, the show gave us plenty of moments to remember—both the good and the bad.

Check out our list of best and worst highlights from the show, along with a complete list of tonight's winners!

Best Opening: Rihanna's opening performance was full of seduction (which seems to be her thing), good music, even better dancing and—the best part—a balloon party!

Worst Protection: Host Hart entered the awards with a little security, and by little, we mean a bunch of little people. Not sure if they can protect him much, but they made Hart look very tall, so that's good.

Best Monologue: Right away, Hart called out Drake and Chris Brown, who are both friends of his, and told them to squash their beef. And just like that, the elephant in the room was exposed. Thank you, Kevin Hart! Oh wait, then he brought up Kristen Stewart. Yeah, he went there. Kevin's commentary on it? "So what? It happens." There were some expletives in there, too.

Worst Dye Job: What's going on with Chris Brown's hair? The singer rocked his usual platinum look, but dyed the top of it light blue. Not sure if it worked in his favor.

Best Hair Twins: Miley Cyrus introduced Pink for her performance (which was beyond fantastic, by the way) and the duo were each sporting a platinum mohawk 'do. Who wore it better? Well, we just can't decide.

Worst Attempt at Being a Rapper: Oh, Andy Samberg. He tried to do a little flow onstage while presenting the award for Best Hip-Hop Video, and it was a cute attempt, but not exactly a win. As for Rashida Jones, she's gangster.

Best Raw Performance: Did you guys know Frank Ocean can sing? Like, really sing? This guy took the stage tonight and without any flashy props (although, that fire was pretty cool) or loud instrumentals, Ocean showed his vocal range while serenading us with "Thinking About You" and left our ears wanting more.

Worst Attention Span: Hey, Lil Wayne, you just won an award, take your headphones off! Even while onstage with Drake to accept the award for Best Hip-Hop Video, Weezy was too preoccupied with his iPod to care about what was going on. He did lift up his shirt for us, though. How sweet.

Best (Worst) Dressed: Bachelorette star Rebel Wilson—with a bag of chips in hand—wore one of those bikini shirts on stage, and it also revealed that a bikini wax was necessary. It was so bad that it was good. 

Most Awkward Snub: When Nicki Minaj went up to accept her award for Best Female Video, she passed fellow noms Ri-Ri and Katy Perry without so much as a smile their way. That's not very nice, Nicki!

Best Dance Break: OMG, you guys, it's Psy! The Korean rapper, whose hit "Gangnam Style" went viral on YouTube, made an appearance and performed the song's featured dance with Hart (who didn't seem to get the simple step-step-double step combo, but that's OK).

Worst Tease: Ugh, the exclusive trailer for Twilight's Breaking Dawn: Part 2 premiered during tonight's show and it was just so great that we can hardly wait to see the flick in theaters!

Most Overdone Move: Would anyone else like to crowd dive tonight? That seemed to be the thing to do. 

Best Mix: Tonight was a comeback for Alicia Keys who, aside from rocking a new, short 'do, performed her latest single "Girl on Fire" featuring Minaj, and also included some gymnastics by gold medal winner Gabby Douglas

Most Predictable Screenshot: Taylor Swift closed the show with her hit "We're Never Ever Getting Back Together" (which felt like an extended Kmart back-to-school commercial) and just when we thought our assumptions were wrong, the cameras cut to Taylor Lautner. Wah-wah.

Here's the complete list of winners for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards:

Video of the Year: Rihanna, "We Found Love"
Best New Artist: One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"
Best Female Video: Nicki Minaj, "Starships"
Best Hip-Hop Video: Drake, featuring Lil' Wayne, "HYFR"
Best Male Video: Chris Brown, "Turn Up the Music"
Best Pop Video: One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"
Best Rock Video: Coldplay, "Paradise"
Best Video With a Message: Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper"
Best Electronic Dance Music Video: Calvin Harris, "Feel So Close"
Most Shareworthy Video: One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"
Best Choreography: Chris Brown, "Turn Up the Music"           
Best Editing: Beyonce, "Countdown"         
Best Visual Effects: Skrillex, "First of the Year (Equinox)"                
Best Cinematography: M.I.A., "Bad Girls"
Best Art Direction: Katy Perry, "Wide Awake"       
Best Direction: M.I.A., "Bad Girls"