Newsbeat goes backstage at MTV Europe Music Awards

By Chi Chi Izundu
Newsbeat reporter in Madrid Katy Perry won best video for California Gurls

The MTV awards has had its fair share of controversies and melt downs over the years but this year's EMAs went off without a hitch.

The European Music Awards in Madrid was more about putting on a big show with performances from Katy Perry, Rihanna and Kings of Leon.

The centrepiece of the stage set was a massive 3D sculpted metallic cube which rotated. It was based on a magic box theme and looked totally different for each performance.

Katy Perry on the rotating stage she performed on at the MTV EMAs

Rihanna performed Only Girl in the World, with a dress made out of flower heads. Her set was full of them with her backing dancers ripping them up.

Katy Perry performed Firework in front of 100,000 fans at the show's outdoor stage at Madrid's historic Puerta de Alcalá (Alcalá Gate).

Not surprisingly she had a lot of them in her performance and at one point they seemed to be firing out of her bra.

She arrived with new husband, Russell Brand, showing off their wedding rings for the first time. Her's was a giant green gem.

Surprise guest

Kanye West, who has caused upsets at previous MTV Awards, showed up as a surprise guest.

Eva Longoria had 13 costume changes including a comedy ham outfit

He was forced to apologise for interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to say he thought Beyonce should have won at last year's Video Music Awards in New York.

But last night (7 November) he performed with 30 Seconds to Mars at the EMA pre-show without any upset.

Host Eva Longoria changed her outfits constantly through the show. The best one, a giant comedy ham outfit, paid homage to Lady Gaga's famous meat dress.

She told reporters before the show she would be showing off some skin: "I will be in a lot of skimpy stuff tonight, we have 13 wardrobe changes. But not in the swimsuit no."

Rap lesson

As part of the show's advertising Eva had to perform a rap. She was taught by Dizzee Rascal: "I was absolutely terrified to do the rap.

Dizzee Rascal and Plan B dressed up for their red carpet appearances

"It was very tongue-in-cheek and a lot of fun."

Dizzee Rascal opened the show performing with Shakira and apparently in rehearsals was very taken with the backing dancers in their skimpy outfits.

He revealed he was looking forward to seeing Kid Rock perform: "I was with him in the bar the other night. He's a good dude.

"It will be interesting to see Bon Jovi, just because they've been in the game so long."

No Brit wins

There were no Brit wins at the awards but Plan B did perform live.

Pretty Reckless singer Taylor Momsen showed off her bra on the red carpet

He was backed by dancing policemen but played up on the red carpet making rude gestures to the photographers taking his picture.

Dizzee and Plan B partied together at the after-party while watching Friendly Fires and Taylor Momsen's Pretty Reckless perform.

The Gossip Girl star handed out an award and wore an outfit showing off her bra.

You can Watch the 2010 EMAs on MTV, Tuesday 9 November at 11am or 8pm or Wednesday 10 November at 12.30pm or 11.30pm

See more pictures from the MTV EMAs in Madrid