Katy Perry Takes Top Prize at 2011 MTV Video Music Awards

Katy Perry snagged the top Moonman at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards for her catchy pop anthem "Firework." But music heavyweights Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Adele, Britney Spears and Kanye West were also among the big winners Sunday night.

But the award winners were, as always, only part of the fun of MTV's wild affair. The memorable moments happened on stage -- starting with opening act Lady Gaga performing "You and I" in drag as her alter ego, 50s-looking greaser Joe Calderone. Kanye West and Jay-Z were also one of the night's highlights, when they surprised audiences by performing their collaborative single "Otis."

Britney Spears received the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and was honored with a full-scale dance-off choreographed to her greatest hits. British comedian Russell Brand took the stage for a manic but touching tribute to the late singer Amy Winehouse -- pointing out how many attendees, including "the Mrs." (Katy Perry) owed her a debt -- before introducing Bruno Mars' take on Winehouse's throwback tune, "Valerie."

Beyonce also wowed the crowd with her knockout performance of "Love on Top" and received loud cheers as she opened her sparkly blazer to debut her baby bump. The cameras quickly cut to the grinning dad-to-be, her hubby Jay-Z.

But for movie lovers, the night's most exciting moment was when Jennifer Lawrence appeared in a pre-recorded message to introduce the very first glimpse at highly anticipated The Hunger Games. The exclusive clip was much too short to sate the movie's legion of fans, but it featured Lawrence's protagonist Katniss Everdeen running and hunting in the titular Games.

Winners List:

Video of the Year
Katy Perry, "Firework"

Best Female Video
Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"

Best New Artist
Tyler, The Creator, "Yonkers"

Best Male Video
Justin Bieber, "U Smile"

Best Collaboration
Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, "E.T."

Best Hip-Hop Video
Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass"

Best Rock Video
Foo Fighters, "Walk"

Best Pop Video
Britney Spears, "Till the World Ends"

Best Video With A Message
Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"

Best Choreography
Beyoncé, "Run the World (Girls)"

Best Visual Effects
Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, "E.T."

Best Art Direction
Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"

Best Editing
Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"

Best Cinematography
Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"

Aisha Tyler Aki Ross Alecia Elliott Alessandra Ambrosio