MTV VMAs 2014: Miley Cyrus has homeless man accept Video of the Year award for her

The 21-year-old pop star took home the top accolade for 'Wrecking Ball'

Miley Cyrus has taken home the prize for Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards 2014 (Getty Images)

Miley Cyrus’ naked-swinging, hammer-licking music video for “Wrecking Ball” has won her the coveted Video of the Year gong at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The former Disney star, 21, scooped the top prize ahead of Beyoncé and Jay Z’s “Drunk in Love”, Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”, Sia’s “Chandelier” and Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX’s “Fancy.

But Cyrus surprised everyone by giving her time in the spotlight to a young homeless man named Jesse, who walked on stage to accept her trophy for her.

Jimmy Fallon held the microphone out for him to explain how viewers could donate to Hollywood homeless centre Mr Friend's Place. Cyrus, meanwhile, somewhat dramatically sobbed.

More details about the worthy cause can be found on Cyrus' Facebook page.

Despite her VMAs success and much adoration from fans on social media, Cyrus also announced that she has passed the twerking baton on to none other than US rapper Nicki Minaj.

Cyrus became the talking point of the 2013 ceremony following her raunchy “Blurred Lines” duet with Robin Thicke, but it was Minaj’s ’enthusiastic’ dance moves that stole this year’s show.

On the red carpet before the event kicked off, Cyrus was asked by MTV about “Anaconda” breaking “Wrecking Ball”s record for the most Vevo views in 24 hours.

“I ain’t got that ass,” she said, simply. “I can bring that body, I can bring that wrecking ball, but I can’t bring that ass. Not that Anaconda.”

Cyrus opted for a much more covered outfit than last year’s nude latex bikini, choosing a black leather top and trousers instead.

“I’ve retired (from twerking), yeah,” she declared. “I’m making some music right now with The Flaming Lips. It’s different. It’s a little psychedelic. It’s not about twerking - it’s about music.”