The MTV Video Music Awards are no stranger to controversy.

The VMA stage has showcased many notorious moments in pop culture history, including the awkward kiss between Michael Jackson and then-wife Lisa Marie Presley, Britney Spears’ provocative dance with a python, the kiss shared between Spears and Madonna, Russell Brand’s jab at the Jonas Brothers’ purity rings and various others throughout the show’s twenty-five year reign.

Leave it to Kanye West to stir up the pot of controversy once more at this year’s VMAs, which premiered last Sunday night from Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Taylor Swift, winner of the best female video award for “You Belong With Me,” was in the middle of her acceptance speech when West stormed onto the stage, took the microphone out of her hand, and declared that Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time with “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” which was nominated in the same category. Swift was speechless, looking every bit the part of Cinderella in her sparkling gown and elegant up-do but unfortunately missing out on her fairytale moment.

Later in the evening, Beyonce was awarded Video of the Year for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” but decided to let Swift have the winning moment she wasn’t able to experience earlier in the show. Beyonce invited the 19- year-old country singer back on stage to have a second try at a thank-you speech, much to Swifts’s appreciation.

This controversy struck up a frenzy on Facebook, gossip sites and news sites during the show’s telecast, overshadowing other newsworthy moments of the night, including a demurely dressed Madonna giving a speech dedicated to the legend that was Michael Jackson.

“Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being, but he was a king,” she said. “Long live the king.”

A collection of extremely talented dancers, along with special guest dancer Janet Jackson, also paid tribute to the late King of Pop in a dance medley of some of Jackson’s greatest hits.

The VMAs would not be the legendary award show it has become without epic performances, and this year’s show did not disappoint.

Lady Gaga’s artistic (or outlandish, you decide) performance of “Paparazzi” ended with the Best New Artist winner hanging above the stage, blood splashed across her stomach.

In another bold presentation, Pink sang “Sober” while simultaneously performing acrobatic flips and spins on a trapeze suspended high above the stage.

Beyonce once again proved herself to be a superstar entertainer through her highly energized, electric performance of “Sweet Dreams” which segued into “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” complete with the iconic dance routine that perhaps had swayed West’s earlier actions.

To close the show, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys paid tribute to the host city of New York by performing “Empire State of Mind.”

In order to retain the attention of the tween demographic, the VMAs revealed the extended trailer to the upcoming film “New Moon,” the second installment of the “Twilight” saga. The film’s stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner were presenters at the event, igniting exciting vampire-esque squeals from die-hard fans in the audience.

The VMA telecast also included the first trailer for the upcoming Michael Jackson documentary, “This is It,” a film which includes rehearsal footagefrom what would have been the King of Pop’s final concert tour.

Other winners of the night included: T.I. for Best Male Video (“Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna),Spears for Best Pop Video (“Womanizer”), Green Day for Best Rock Video (“21 Guns”), and Eminem for Best Hip-Hop Video (“We Made You”).