Miley Cyrus stunned the crowd at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, August 25. Cyrus' "We Can't Stop" performance featured her now-signature twerking and a crotch grab or two. After she donned the fuzzy gray leotard pictured here ... Rick Diamond/Getty Images/MTV
... Miley Cyrus stripped down to a flesh-toned bra and panties while Robin Thicke performed "Blurred Lines" with 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar. Rick Diamond/Getty Images/MTV
On receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Justin Timberlake took the VMAs audience back in time through his jams, from his new single "Take Back the Night" to "SexyBack" and "Cry Me a River." And then ... Neilson Barnard/Getty Images/MTV
... 'N Sync "surprised" the crowd when the group reunited on stage. It was only a brief interlude during JT's performance, but it was awesome to see (from left) Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick making beautiful music together again. Drake performed "Hold On, We're Going Home" and "Started From the Bottom." Rick Diamond/Getty Images/MTV
Bruno Mars took to the VMAs stage in a leopard print button-down and performed his new single "Gorilla" among laser beams and bursts of fire. Rick Diamond/Getty Images/MTV
After being introduced by NBA player Jason Collins and A$AP Rocky, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performed their same-sex marriage equality song "Same Love" with Mary Lambert.
Kanye West performed a stirring rendition of "Blood on the Leaves" in silhouette, against a backdrop of Steve McQueen's "Lynching Tree." Neilson Barnard/Getty Images/MTV Lady Gaga returned to the VMAs stage for the first time in two years. She opened the show with her new single "Applause," featuring the singer's requisite multiple costume and hair changes, starting with this conceptual get-up ... Rick Diamond/Getty Images/MTV
... and ending in a sea-shell bra and flower-festooned thong. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images/MTV
Katy Perry was ready to rumble while playing her chart-topping single "Roar" under the Brooklyn Bridge. The song closed out the VMAs. Getty Images