London: Teen stars Justin Bieber and girlfriend Selena Gomez perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday in Belfast, guaranteeing plenty of screaming fans and close media attention to what they say and do.
Canadian heartthrob Bieber hit the headlines this week after a young woman alleged that the chart-topper had fathered her child when he was 16. He appeared on the US Today show on Friday and denied the claims.
"I'd just like to say basically that none of those allegations are true," said Bieber, now 17. "I know that I'm going to be a target, but I'm never going to be a victim."
Gomez, who is hosting the event and performing her new single, has had problems of her own recently.
On Thursday, an Illinois man pleaded not guilty to stalking the American actress best known for her role in Disney television show "Wizards of Waverly Place", but was ordered to stay away from her for three years.
Thomas Brodnicki told a psychiatrist that he travelled to Los Angeles to see the star and had conversations with God about killing her, according to court documents.
In Belfast, the celebrity couple are expected to be joined by Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga at what is billed as one of the biggest nights in music outside the United States.
Northern Irish rockers Snow Patrol, whose 2006 album "Eyes Open" sold over five million copies worldwide, also make an appearance as do the surviving members of Queen, who will pick up the Global Icon accolade.
U.S. DOMINATION
The annual awards tend to be dominated by U.S. acts even though they are held in Europe each year and are mostly decided by fans from the region.
Gomez said regional differences mattered less in the internet age.
"I think that it's not necessarily about America dominating anything," she told Reuters in a telephone interview.
"I think music is worldwide. Wherever people come from, whether they are from America or not, I think it's all definitely about creating great music.
"So I'm glad that a lot of European artists will also be attending."
Last year it was the flamboyant Gaga who dominated the MTV EMAs, picking up prizes for best female, best pop act and best song for "Bad Romance".
Due to prior commitments the 25-year-old New Yorker could not make the MTV event held in Madrid, but she is in the lineup on Sunday at the Belfast Odyssey Arena and also leads the nominations with six.
In four categories -- best song ("Born This Way"), best pop and live act and best female artist -- she is up against compatriot and rival chart-topping diva Katy Perry.
Lady Gaga's other two nominations are best video (Born This Way) and biggest fans, a new category introduced this year.
Bruno Mars joins Perry with four nominations -- best new, best male, best "push" act and best song for "Grenade."
Adele, Britain's best-selling chart sensation, is shortlisted three times -- best female act and best song and best video for "Rolling in the Deep."
Bieber competes for best pop, best male and biggest fans, while Thirty Seconds to Mars is up for best alternative, best world stage and biggest fans.
Bieber, who launched his new album "Under the Mistletoe" this week, has already been named the inaugural winner of the MTV Voices award in recognition of his charity work.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)
REUTERS
Fun facts about the EMAs:
Lady Gaga's been on a bit of a shopping spree in Belfast's House of Fraser. On landing, her PA headed straight for the store to pick out a grey and silver chaise lounge, 2 n'espresso coffee machines and some ‘shabby chic' fine bone china cups and saucers and a cake-plate to decorate her dressing room.
The same store -- on the Northern Irish city's Victorial Square, is out of hotpants, with all apparently having been bought up with the show's dancers.
Wardrobe requests for this year's awards include Viking helmets and nude body suits.
On show day, the M.A.C make-up team will be getting through 300 sets of false eyelashes, 60 mascaras and 80 lip glosses.
Two years ago a group of ‘Fanwalkers' from across Europe entered a competition that saw them walk from their home towns to the EMAs. Amazingly, 40 of these ‘Fanwalkers' have stayed in touch and come together each year for a reunion. MTV treated these dedicated music fans to tickets for this year's awards.
Celebs will strut their stuff down a hot pink carpet. Hope there's no clashing.
More than 50 dancers have been enlisted for the 2011 MTV EMA - so costumes are being made for lightning-fast costume, hair and make up changes in the two hour show. Random wardrobe requests include Viking helmets and nude body suits.
Jessie J's dancers have requested specially commissioned hand-printed fabric. Other EMA dancers will be donning hand-painted tracksuits. The wardrobe team will be working late into the night all week to make sure all the costumes will be ready in time for Sunday's show - last year the team stayed up to 3am hand-sewing Shakira's costume.
A awards show can be stressful, which is why backstage the stars have access to the EMA SPA, with manicures by Butter London Nails, massages with DECLEOR and Eucerin and hair styling with Batiste among the treatments on offer.
The MTV dressing room crew will be decking out more than 10 dressing rooms for the star-studded line-up of performers and presenters, decorating each with prints by celebrity artist Tyler Shields.
More than 3,000 airline flights have been booked for performers, nominees, sponsors, competition winners, media and crew attending the 2011 MTV EMA.
MTV has booked nearly 10,000 room nights in 39 hotels in Belfast to cater for the thousands of people associated with the show.
Keep an eye out for two super hot models: Victoria's Secret angel and Leonardo DiCaprio's ex Bar Refaeli will be presenting an award, which Irina Shayk, who is rumoured to be having footballer Christiano Ronaldo's baby, is a brand ambassador for Replay denim and will appear wearing a custom-made denim outfit by the brand.
Canadian heartthrob Bieber hit the headlines this week after a young woman alleged that the chart-topper had fathered her child when he was 16. He appeared on the US Today show on Friday and denied the claims.
"I'd just like to say basically that none of those allegations are true," said Bieber, now 17. "I know that I'm going to be a target, but I'm never going to be a victim."
Gomez, who is hosting the event and performing her new single, has had problems of her own recently.
On Thursday, an Illinois man pleaded not guilty to stalking the American actress best known for her role in Disney television show "Wizards of Waverly Place", but was ordered to stay away from her for three years.
Thomas Brodnicki told a psychiatrist that he travelled to Los Angeles to see the star and had conversations with God about killing her, according to court documents.
In Belfast, the celebrity couple are expected to be joined by Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga at what is billed as one of the biggest nights in music outside the United States.
Northern Irish rockers Snow Patrol, whose 2006 album "Eyes Open" sold over five million copies worldwide, also make an appearance as do the surviving members of Queen, who will pick up the Global Icon accolade.
U.S. DOMINATION
The annual awards tend to be dominated by U.S. acts even though they are held in Europe each year and are mostly decided by fans from the region.
Gomez said regional differences mattered less in the internet age.
"I think that it's not necessarily about America dominating anything," she told Reuters in a telephone interview.
"I think music is worldwide. Wherever people come from, whether they are from America or not, I think it's all definitely about creating great music.
"So I'm glad that a lot of European artists will also be attending."
Last year it was the flamboyant Gaga who dominated the MTV EMAs, picking up prizes for best female, best pop act and best song for "Bad Romance".
Due to prior commitments the 25-year-old New Yorker could not make the MTV event held in Madrid, but she is in the lineup on Sunday at the Belfast Odyssey Arena and also leads the nominations with six.
In four categories -- best song ("Born This Way"), best pop and live act and best female artist -- she is up against compatriot and rival chart-topping diva Katy Perry.
Lady Gaga's other two nominations are best video (Born This Way) and biggest fans, a new category introduced this year.
Bruno Mars joins Perry with four nominations -- best new, best male, best "push" act and best song for "Grenade."
Adele, Britain's best-selling chart sensation, is shortlisted three times -- best female act and best song and best video for "Rolling in the Deep."
Bieber competes for best pop, best male and biggest fans, while Thirty Seconds to Mars is up for best alternative, best world stage and biggest fans.
Bieber, who launched his new album "Under the Mistletoe" this week, has already been named the inaugural winner of the MTV Voices award in recognition of his charity work.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)
REUTERS
Fun facts about the EMAs:
Lady Gaga's been on a bit of a shopping spree in Belfast's House of Fraser. On landing, her PA headed straight for the store to pick out a grey and silver chaise lounge, 2 n'espresso coffee machines and some ‘shabby chic' fine bone china cups and saucers and a cake-plate to decorate her dressing room.
The same store -- on the Northern Irish city's Victorial Square, is out of hotpants, with all apparently having been bought up with the show's dancers.
Wardrobe requests for this year's awards include Viking helmets and nude body suits.
On show day, the M.A.C make-up team will be getting through 300 sets of false eyelashes, 60 mascaras and 80 lip glosses.
Two years ago a group of ‘Fanwalkers' from across Europe entered a competition that saw them walk from their home towns to the EMAs. Amazingly, 40 of these ‘Fanwalkers' have stayed in touch and come together each year for a reunion. MTV treated these dedicated music fans to tickets for this year's awards.
Celebs will strut their stuff down a hot pink carpet. Hope there's no clashing.
More than 50 dancers have been enlisted for the 2011 MTV EMA - so costumes are being made for lightning-fast costume, hair and make up changes in the two hour show. Random wardrobe requests include Viking helmets and nude body suits.
Jessie J's dancers have requested specially commissioned hand-printed fabric. Other EMA dancers will be donning hand-painted tracksuits. The wardrobe team will be working late into the night all week to make sure all the costumes will be ready in time for Sunday's show - last year the team stayed up to 3am hand-sewing Shakira's costume.
A awards show can be stressful, which is why backstage the stars have access to the EMA SPA, with manicures by Butter London Nails, massages with DECLEOR and Eucerin and hair styling with Batiste among the treatments on offer.
The MTV dressing room crew will be decking out more than 10 dressing rooms for the star-studded line-up of performers and presenters, decorating each with prints by celebrity artist Tyler Shields.
More than 3,000 airline flights have been booked for performers, nominees, sponsors, competition winners, media and crew attending the 2011 MTV EMA.
MTV has booked nearly 10,000 room nights in 39 hotels in Belfast to cater for the thousands of people associated with the show.
Keep an eye out for two super hot models: Victoria's Secret angel and Leonardo DiCaprio's ex Bar Refaeli will be presenting an award, which Irina Shayk, who is rumoured to be having footballer Christiano Ronaldo's baby, is a brand ambassador for Replay denim and will appear wearing a custom-made denim outfit by the brand.
