S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Eminem has reportedly been chosen to open the curtains at this weekend's MTV Video Music Awards 2010 ceremony in Los Angeles.
The decision was confirmed by MTV general manager Stephen Friedman.
Eminem, who is nominated for eight trophies – will open Sunday’s ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in LA, which has been transformed with a sprawling white set. MTV general manager Stephen Friedman said: “We thought that there’s no better way to kick off the show than a performance from Eminem.” (The Press Association)
Details on the stage design have been revealed by one of the Video Music Awards producers.
The enveloping stage design includes a giant rotating billboard, curvy catwalk, circular performance space and two massive video screens that will serve as curtains. VMA executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic said the undulating space, created by German designer Florian Wieder, required about 2,000 orchestra seats to be removed from the Nokia Theatre. “Every year, we try to have a theme and purpose beyond just giving awards away,” said Ignjatovic. “This year, being back in Los Angeles, we really gravitated toward mid-century modern architecture and the pop culture of the ’50s, like the youth-oriented rebellion films ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ and ‘Wild Ones.’ It’s a very L.A. kind of a set.” (The Associated Press)
This year’s showcase has also received help from artists like Eminem, Drake and Nicki Minaj who each have appeared in promotional advertisements for the VMAs.
The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards are getting a double dose of Nicki Minaj. Earlier today, the network announced that the Young Money raptress would be performing during the pre-show broadcast, and now, the Best New Artist nominee is getting her swerve on in a new promo clip for the ceremony. Set to the tune of her hit “Your Love,” a young Nicki poses in the mirror, dreaming of one day ruling rap. But as the clip progresses, Minaj is shown dolled up like a classic ’50s debutante and zooms into the present as she hops on a motorcycle and speeds through the California streets. “Ever since she was little, she dreamed of dominating the world of rap,” says the announcer. “Now the world–and every man in it–is beneath her stilettos.” (Rap-Up)
According to this year’s host, comedian Chelsea Handler, there may be a reunion between Kanye West and Taylor Swift since the rapper made headlines last year for interrupting the singer’s televised acceptance speech.
Speaking to Ryan Seacrest on his KISS-FM radio show Thursday, Handler previewed her emceeing technique and said she hoped to reunite two strange bedfellows: Kanye West and Taylor Swift. “I’d like to get them together,” Handler, 35, told Seacrest. “We’ve never really seen them together since then. They were supposed to be together on SNL, but then that didn’t end up happening…We’ll try to think of something clever to do with them, because that would be really fun.” (PEOPLE)
The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, September 12, at 9 p.m.
Check out Nicki Minaj’s Video Music Awards 2010 promotion down below:
