2013 MTV Video Music Awards: Best & Worst Moments and Full Winner's List

Everyone from 'N Sync to Miley Cyrus to a seashell-bikini-wearing Lady Gaga showed up for tonight's show

By Sierra Marquina Aug 26, 2013 3:42 AMTags

The highly anticipated 2013 MTV Video Music Awards went off with a bang Sunday night.

Starting the festivities was Lady Gaga who donned wigs and ensembles representing various Gaga eras during her "Applause" performance, getting everyone in the crowd like Will Smith and daughter Willow Smith moving and grooving. In typical fashion, Gaga topped herself by almost going topless: stripping down to a seashell bikini to watch the rest of the show.

After that came everything from Miley Cyrus stripping down to a yellow two piece while performing (and bumping and grinding) "Blurred Lines" with Robin Thicke to what appeared to be Kanye West having a seizure while performing. A performance that Thicke clearly approved of as he tweeted Kanye praise. Go figure!

And did we mention Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift rocking out during Miley's performance, which included performers Miley brought along from her favorite Los Angeles club, Beachers Madhouse? Because that happened too.

Held in Brooklyn at the newly opened Barclays Center, the biggest moment however, had to be without question, 'N Sync's reunion during Justin Timberlake's performance!

Justin was performing a medley of his hits, which had Selena and Taylor, along with the rest of the audience on their feet. But what really made the audience freak was when all the members of 'N Sync interrupted to perform a medley of their own hits on stage.

And that wasn't the last of the fantastic surprise star turns. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' "Same Love" performance included a surprise appearance by Jennifer Hudson and might have been the most moving VMA performance to date!

As for the most awkward moment, aside from Miley's hair, did Taylor really drop an F-bomb while One Direction and ex Harry Styles were on stage?! The Internet sure thinks so.

And another awkward moment for the ex couple? While accepting the Moonman for Best Female Video for "I Knew You Were Trouble" Taylor said thanks to "who I wrote this song about cause you know who you are and now I have this award," while MTV then cut to a smirking Harry, who kept chewing his gum. 

And speaking of One Direction, the band may have won Best Song of the Summer against Miley, Calvin Harris & Ellie GouldingDaft Punk, and Robin Thicke, but when they went up to receive the award, the audience booed the boys!

Faring far better with the crowd was Katy Perry, who closed out the show with a live performance of her hit single "Roar" outside under the Brooklyn Bridge. Nice.

So was it the best VMAs yet? We will let you decide for yourself!

To see who took home a Moonman, read the full winner's list below:

Video of the Year: Justin Timberlake, "Mirrors"

Best Hip-Hop Video: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton, "Can't Hold Us"

Best Male Video: Bruno Mars, "Locked Out of Heaven"

Best Female Video: Taylor Swift, "I Knew You Were Trouble"

Best Pop Video: Selena Gomez, "Come & Get It"

Artist to Watch Presented by Taco Bell®: Austin Mahone, "What About Love"

Best Collaboration: P!nk feat. Nate Ruess, "Just Give Me a Reason"

Best Video with a Social Message: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lewis, "Same Love"

Best Rock Video: Thirty Seconds to Mars, "Up in the Air"

Best Art Direction: Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu, "Q.U.E.E.N"

Best Choreography: Bruno Mars, "Treasure"

Best Cinematography: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton, "Can't Hold Us"

Best Direction: Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z, "Suit & Tie"

Best Editing: Justin Timberlake, "Mirrors"

Best Visual Effects: Capital Cities, "Safe and Sound"    

Song of the Summer: One Direction, "Best Song Ever"