Lady Gaga to open MTV Video Music Awards

(AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON)

When Lady Gaga appeared at MTV's Times Square studio for the premiere of her "Yoü and I" video on August 18, her fans lined the street posting a banner that read "Gaga to Host VMAs!"

MTV has not revealed the host for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, televised live from the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, August 28, but the network did announce that Gaga will open the show with what could top her typically dramatic entrances.

In 2009, Lady Gaga's VMA performance ended with her hanging on a bloody meat-hook at the end of "Paparazzi." Last year she wore her infamous meat dress, and at the Grammys earlier this year, she emerged from a giant egg. Speculation on her stunt includes an appearance from her male alter ego Jo Calderone.

Jazz crooner Tony Bennett stated in Billboard this week he expects that Gaga will be "as big as Elvis."

A tribute to Britney Spears will be featured in MTV's 2011 VMA show, including a presentation from Madonna. A greatest hits performance will salute the 29-year-old Spears, including Selena Gomez performing "Baby One More Time," Katy Perry singing "Oops! I Did It Again," Demi Lovato doing "Toxic," Kesha and Nicki Minaj joining in, and one of the singers who inspired Spears, Janet Jackson, performing "I'm A Slave for You."

Producers also plan a salute to the late Amy Winehouse, who died on July 23 in London.

Last week MTV announced that other performances for the annual show include Bruno Mars, Adele, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Young the Giant.

Adele has seven nominations for "Rolling in the Deep" from her album 21, including for best female video, best pop video and video of the year.

Wayne has three nominations under his belt for both "6'7'" and "Look at Me Now," his collaboration with Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes.

The public can vote for select categories at http://vma.mtv.com.

Lady Gaga's MTV promo: http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/682691/vma-2011-lady-gaga-performance-promo-extended.jhtml#id=1668279

RC