2012 MTV Video Music Awards Performance + Show Pictures

As you can see in these performance and show pictures from the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, the entire evening was jam-packed full of entertaining moments. Rihanna kicked off the festivities in true gangsta fashion, rising from beneath the stage lounging in a throne, all while basking in red light. She sang 'Cockiness' and 'We Found Love,' but the ultra risque first song was definitely the standout.

Later that evening, Rihanna's BFF Katy Perry, who was seated with her during the VMAs, presented One Direction with their Best Pop Video award. Millions of girls died a bit inside when Katy smooched each of the 1D boys, kissing Niall and Harry right on the lips! Lucky gal. In other news, the boy band were totally adorable accepting their award and had us singing along later with a performance of 'One Thing' and 'What Makes You Beautiful.'

And in another development of our game of Rihanna's six degrees of separation, her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was present at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in L.A. He kept to himself mostly (although Kevin Hart did address his brawl with Drake to neither party's delight), except when he attempted a chivalrous act by (sort of) escorting Demi Lovato down the steps after she presented him with the Best Male Video moon man trophy.

Check out the rest of these awesome MTV Video Music Award performance and show pictures, including more of Pink blowing us away with her 'Blow Me' performance, Frank Ocean's ambient and somber performance plus much more!