LADY GAGA dominated the MTV VMAs – winning four gongs out of 12 nominations and performing her new single The Dead Dance on stage for the first time.
She is now the third most awarded artist in the ceremony’s history with 22 gongs — one more than Madonna.
Gaga is now just behind Beyonce and Taylor Swift who are tied on 30 awards each.
Despite putting on the best performance of the night, Bizarre can reveal the superstar wasn’t actually inside the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, when she appeared on stage.
In fact Gaga secretly recorded her performance across town at Madison Square Garden, where she was performing on her Mayhem Ball tour, and shot it four times to make sure they had the perfect take.
Gaga pushed back her performance there by 90 minutes in order to walk the red carpet at the VMAs before racing back across town to get on stage.
A source said: “Gaga was adamant she wanted to be involved in the VMAs but obviously cancelling her show at MSG was never an option.
She and her team worked with MTV for weeks in order to get in two places at once.
“As soon as she won Artist of the Year she raced backstage for pictures and then drove to MSG. It was full on but if anyone could pull it off it’s Gaga.
“During her show she performed with some of her Moonmen — she’s so proud to be still winging awards.
“It was a really special moment, especially as her mum and dad were in the crowd.”
As she picked up the Artist of the Year gong, Gaga gave a shout-out to her fiance Michael Polansky and said: “To my partner in all things, Michael.
“Creating this year with you was a beautiful, beautiful dream, and you have been my partner every step of the way.
“I dedicate this to you too, my love. I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden.”
Feeling reflective the superstar went on to admit she wants to be performing until 2045 and feels like New York has shaped her into the artist she is today.
Gaga said: “I hope in 20 years when I have written lots more albums that I will still be back here. I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel that this is where I grew up because it made me so much of who I am.
“I think about what [my music] would have sounded like if I hadn’t grown up here.
“I feel like when you are from New York it kind of grows roots in your veins. You have this understanding of life and community, it’s very strong. It’s a feeling. I can’t quite describe it as it’s a feeling.”
Now Gaga is on a roll, the wheels are in motion for her to come to the UK for four headline shows at London’s O2 Arena.
The gigs, along with two more in Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, sold out in seconds.
And if her performance in New York was anything to go by, us British fans are in for a treat.
IT’S RAINING MEN FOR SABRINA
SABRINA CARPENTER wowed fans with a seriously sexy and rain-soaked rendition of her new single Tears.
And there was something for everyone, as she was surrounded by a troupe of very attractive male dancers dressed as policemen as well as drag queens.
During the evening, Sabrina won three MTV VMAs and used her performance to call for the advancement of trans rights.
Speaking on stage, the Manchild singer said: “This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity.
“So to get to be part of something that can make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your f***ing oyster, I’m so grateful to do that.”
NIGHT’S YUNG FOR AEROSMITH
HOMEGROWN star Yungblud led a special tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne after his death in July.
The punk rocker was joined by Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry for a medley of the Black Sabbath singer’s hit singles Crazy Train, Changes and Mama, I’m Coming Home.
Speaking on the carpet, Yungblud revealed he was wearing Ozzy’s cross necklace (which Ozzy had given him, inset above) as a mark of respect.
He added: “It’s a big moment to honour someone you love.
“I’m wearing his cross tonight. I love him and always have. I hope he’s up there with a drink watching tonight.”
Teasing his future plans, Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Harrison, added: “There is a new project coming in two weeks… I’ve not said that yet.”
As the cameras cut away from the singer, to Steven Tyler’s impressive guitar solo, Bizarre watched as Yungblud turned his back on the audience and sipped an alcoholic drink, looking up to the emotional montage of the late rock legend.
Over the past few years Yungblud had grown close to Ozzy and his family. He was one of the star acts at Black Sabbath’s homecoming gig in Birmingham earlier this summer.
Yungblud revealed to Bizarre that he learned of Ozzy’s passing via a text from the heavy metal legend’s son Jack Osbourne. The singer said: “You get to know someone personally, who you love and then they leave.
“I was texting him, then his son Jack texted me and said, ‘He’s gone’.
“Being around the family and being at the funeral, the amount of love there. That family are real as f***.
“The dream is to have kids and a family like that. There’s no gimmicks. It’s authentic.”
VMA SPOT
BUSTA RHYMES gave fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane by performing eight of his biggest hits after collecting the inaugural Rock The Bells Visionary Award.
The rapper belted out a medley of his best-loved songs including Break Ya Neck, Gimme Some More and Stop the Party – which got some of the night’s biggest cheers.
TATE’S IN TRAINING TO WED
TATE McRAE appeared to be using the VMAs as a dry run for her own wedding.
The singer wore a sheer white dress with a statement train that was so long she needed two members of staff to carry it like bridesmaids.
Tate is thought to be single at the moment, but after watching her red-hot performance of Revolving Door and Sports Car in this two-piece we imagine she won’t be short of offers.
ARI: MIC’S TUTU TALL
ARIANA GRANDE may be small but she took home some of the biggest gongs of the night.
She picked up the award for Best Pop and Video of the Year for her Brighter Days Ahead.
Despite not being a performer, Ari was given her own dressing room backstage to cater for her three wardrobe changes.
The superstar arrived in a fitted polka dot number and ended things in a white ballerina tutu.
During her time on stage, Ari seemed overcome with emotion at her wins, before joking that the height of the mic got taller each time she took to the stage.
VMA SPOT
BIZARRE’S Jack got the A-List treatment before the main event after Virgin Atlantic invited him for champers at their Clubhouse Lounge at Heathrow before he set off to New York.
Not all of the stars flying out for the bash fancied a tipple, as Gogglebox’s Joe Baggs put Jack to shame by swerving the bubbles for a green juice.
MARIAH’S MEDLEY
MARIAH CAREY returned to the VMAs stage for the first time in two decades to pick up the Video Vanguard Award and to perform a medley of her hits.
And, naturally, the notorious diva made sure the luxuries were laid on before she even stepped foot in the Big Apple.
Insiders said Mariah flew in via private jet, which had been decked out with white roses and cashmere blankets.
After laying low for a couple days at her sprawling £16million penthouse in Tribeca, Mariah and her glam squad then spent most of Sunday getting her red carpet-ready.
MTV bosses were on alert for the infamous diva to be hard work, but I’m told everything went smoothly . . . even if she did keep a wide berth from almost every other star.
Mimi opted to swerve both the red carpet and on stage VIP seats, instead zipping in and out via the backdoor.
She was handed her gong by Ariana Grande. Mariah told Ari: “I love you. I’m so grateful for you and I’m beyond proud of everything you’ve achieved, girl.”
It marked the first time the We Belong Together singer has ever won a coveted Moonman.
RICKY WINS LATIN ICON
RICKY MARTIN proved he’s still got it with a hip-thrusting medley of his biggest hits.
The Latin pop king belted out Livin’ La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon Bon, Maria, The Cup Of Life along with two Spanish tracks.
Ricky, who also picked up the first ever Latin Icon award, was hoisted high above the crowd to kick off his medley before an outfit change mid performance.
A beaming Ricky told fans: “I’m addicted to your applause that’s why I keep coming back.”
Later this year he will tour Australia with support from Rita Ora. It’s been a long time since he played the UK so hopefully dates over here are not far off.