Rihanna performs during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Center on Thursday, September 6, in Los Angeles. Click through the gallery to see the highlights of the night.
VMA 2012 highlights —
Rihanna performs during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at the Staples Center on Thursday, September 6, in Los Angeles. Click through the gallery to see the highlights of the night.
Getty Images
Host Kevin Hart speaks during Thursday night's awards' show.
VMA 2012 highlights —
Host Kevin Hart speaks during Thursday night's awards' show.
Getty Images
Singer Frank Ocean performs "Thinkin About You."
VMA 2012 highlights —
Singer Frank Ocean performs "Thinkin About You."
Getty Images
One Direction singers, from left, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik perform "One Thing" on Thursday night.
VMA 2012 highlights —
One Direction singers, from left, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik perform "One Thing" on Thursday night.
Getty Images
The crowd carries artist Taylor Swift.
VMA 2012 highlights —
The crowd carries artist Taylor Swift.
Getty Images
Singer Katy Perry kisses Harry Styles of One Direction as he and fellow band member Niall Horan accept the award for best pop video for "What Makes You Beautiful." The UK boy band took home three Moon Man trophies Thursday night.
VMA 2012 highlights —
Singer Katy Perry kisses Harry Styles of One Direction as he and fellow band member Niall Horan accept the award for best pop video for "What Makes You Beautiful." The UK boy band took home three Moon Man trophies Thursday night.
Getty Images
U.S. Olympic athlete Gabby Douglas leaps in the air during Alicia Keys' performance of "Girl on Fire."
VMA 2012 highlights —
U.S. Olympic athlete Gabby Douglas leaps in the air during Alicia Keys' performance of "Girl on Fire."
Reuters/Landov
Singer Pink descends on giant red lips during her performance of her latest single, "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)."
VMA 2012 highlights —
Singer Pink descends on giant red lips during her performance of her latest single, "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)."
Getty Images
Singer Rihanna stands to accept the award for video of the year for "We Found Love."
VMA 2012 highlights —
Singer Rihanna stands to accept the award for video of the year for "We Found Love."
Getty Images
Green Day drummer Trey Cool keeps screaming fans wanting more as he pounds away on "Let Yourself Go."
VMA 2012 highlights —
Green Day drummer Trey Cool keeps screaming fans wanting more as he pounds away on "Let Yourself Go."
Getty Images
Recently sidelined by illness, Green Day lead singer Billy Joe Armstrong performs "Let Yourself Go."
VMA 2012 highlights —
Recently sidelined by illness, Green Day lead singer Billy Joe Armstrong performs "Let Yourself Go."
Getty Images
From left, One Direction singers Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik perform Thursday night.
VMA 2012 highlights —
From left, One Direction singers Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik perform Thursday night.
Getty Images
Rappers Two Chains and Lil Wayne team up Thursday night.
VMA 2012 highlights —
Rappers Two Chains and Lil Wayne team up Thursday night.
Getty Images
Drake, center, accepts the award for best hip-hop video for "HYFR" with Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne.
VMA 2012 highlights —
Drake, center, accepts the award for best hip-hop video for "HYFR" with Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne.
Getty Images
Taylor Swift closes out the show with "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
VMA 2012 highlights —
Taylor Swift closes out the show with "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
Getty Images
Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose arrive on the red carpet Thursday night at the Video Music Awards. The couple revealed they're expecting their first child.
VMA 2012 highlights —
Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose arrive on the red carpet Thursday night at the Video Music Awards. The couple revealed they're expecting their first child.
AFP/Getty Images
Comedian and host Kevin Hart surfs the crowd.
VMA 2012 highlights —
Comedian and host Kevin Hart surfs the crowd.
Getty Images