Gaga scooped up awards for Best Female and Pop artist, as well as Best song for “Bad Romance.” However, the 24-year-old’s “Telephone” lost in the best video category, which went to main rival Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.” Gaga lost in the best live act category to Linkin Park. Gaga was not present to accept her awards but her acceptance speech was beamed live from Budapest, the latest stop of her Monster Ball Tour.
Other winners included Justin Bieber (Best Male), 30 Seconds to Mars (Best Rock), Paramore (Best Alternative), Eminem (Best Hip-Hop), and Ke$ha (Best New Act).
The show featured performances by Shakira, 30 Seconds to Mars, Perry, Linkin Park, Miley Cyrus, and Jon Bon Jovi, who received the Global Icon Award. Some of the performances were held at the Puerta de Alcala, where around 100,000 people packed the historic venue. “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria-Parker hosted the show.
