On the eve of the MTV Video Music Awards, several stars flocked to Perez Hilton‘s “One Night in Los Angeles” party, sponsored by Carrera, to mix, mingle and enjoy killer performances by Gavin DeGraw, Michelle Branch, JoJo, The Veronicas and a surprise finale, courtesy of Demi Lovato.
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The Hollywood Reporter was on the scene for all the action Saturday night (Aug. 27). Below, read five things seen and heard on the red carpet, in the audience and even backstage.
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Surprise! It’s Demi:
Lovato took the stage for the surprise finale, dressed in a tight fitting black mini dress with long curls flowing down her back. She looked happy, healthy and her voice was spot on. Performing a particularly short set, Lovato opened with “Skyscraper” and followed up with — on special request from Hilton — “Don’t Forget.”
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After being attacked just a few short weeks ago, Gavin DeGraw appears fully recovered:
DeGraw, with not so much as a scratch on his face, hit the red carpet and spoke openly with reporters about his scary New York City attack, revealing that Elton John sent flowers to his hotel room following the incident.
After his crowd pleasing performance, DeGraw took a moment backstage to chit-chat with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.
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Perez Hilton Shares Britney Spears Memories:
Prior to beginning the festivities, Hilton reminisced with THR about past Video Music Awards ceremonies, specifically when Britney Spears performed in 2000, covered in nearly nothing but crystals.
“I remember where I was when I saw her VMA performance with ‘Oops!… I Did it Again’ and ‘Satisfaction.’ I was at Weinstein Hall at NYU on Waverly Place watching that and I literally starting squealing,” he said. “I was like ‘Oh my God! Oh my God, you guys!’ and in the middle of it where she like, drops to the floor and then does that look — and she like looks straight ahead — I was like ‘Oh, this is it.’ And at that moment in her career, Britney was it. So it’s totally fitting and amazing that she’s having a tribute at the VMAs.”
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Cash Money Goes Pop:
Newly formed pop group Savvy made an appearance at the party, announcing their recent signing to Cash Money records as the label’s first real pop act. THR spoke with Young Money’s Lil Twist about what this could mean for the label.
“This is new news to me,” he said. “That’s crazy. Young Money just signed a young R&B artist [as well]. They tryin’ to touch everything. We gonna try to shut everything down, touch every station. It’s gonna be nice.”
Savvy, who also plugged their upcoming reality show on Starz Kids & Family, said, “I think [the label is] branching out and wanting to get that younger crowd and get that Justin Bieber type crowd, so it’s smart on their part and we’re really glad that they picked us up.”
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Jersey Shore Hearts Lil Wayne:
Deena Cortese of MTV’s Jersey Shore was also on hand for the party, revealing to THR that she is most looking forward to seeing Lil Wayne at Sunday’s awards show.
“I think his lyrics are phenomenal and he always has something behind them. He always has a message behind it, and I think he’s just amazing,” she said of the rapper.
The Video Music Awards air live on MTV Sunday, Aug 28. and 9 p.m. ET.
