MTV show goes on
2005-09-02 12:52
Miami - Some of the worlds top entertainers headed to steamy Miami for Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, even though deadly Hurricane Katrina crashed the bashes planned ahead of the glitzy annual show.
Despite the cancellation of what were to be glamour-filled parties and concerts in the days leading to the star-studded event, organisers remained upbeat.
"VMAs weather the storm" the music network said as Katrina headed out to sea after killing seven people in the Miami area.
MTV said the partying would resume on the eve of Sunday's main event hosted by entertainment powerhouse Diddy, the hip-hop star, fashion mogul and self-made tycoon formerly known as Sean P Diddy Combs.
The ceremony, which MTV will broadcast live, will include appearances by some of the entertainment world's elite, including Jessica Simpson, Lil Kim, Coldplay, 50 Cent, Ashley Simpson, Bow Wow, Hillary Duff, Alicia Keys and Usher.
Favourites
Among the clear favourites for the coveted astronaut-shaped Moonman award are new punk rockers Green Day, rapper Missy Elliott and pop-rock singer Gwen Stefani.
Green Day has scored six nominations for its "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and another two for "American Idiot."
Elliott got six nominations for "Lose Control", tying with Stefani who scored four nominations for "Hollaback Girl" and two for "What Are You Waiting For?"
Irish superstars U2 picked up five nominations for "Vertigo", from their album "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb".
The organisers told music fans to brace for "what promises to be MTV's biggest and most outrageous night."
But with sponsors unlikely to welcome renewed scandal, MTV may find it hard to live up to its reputation for such headline-grabbing incidents as Madonna's French kissing session with Britney Spears, and the "wardrobe malfunction" that left Janet Jackson's right breast exposed.
Departing from tradition, MTV will roll out a white carpet for its famous guests, who are expected to show up in mega-yachts or in their own tricked out rides.
"This thing is going to be hot," said Diddy. "Everybody knows Diddy is a partier," he told reporters before stepping into his silver Rolls Royce.
Diddy spoke at one of the few pre-ceremony events that did not fall victim to Katrina's wrath.
His own party to launch the Bad Boy Latino label he formed with Emilio Estefan was called off as the hurricane wrought havoc over Miami.
Organisers tried to make the best of the bad weather, posting fashion photographs of VMA celebrities taking a drenching, under the headline: "VMAs get wet."