Katy Perry Lives The 'Teenage Dream': A VMA Cheat Sheet!

Katy Perry in her "California Gurls" video
Photo: Capitol Records

Katy Perry kissed a girl and liked it back in 2008, but since then, she's proven that she's more than just a pop singer who dresses like a pinup and makes kooky little tunes. Perry has established herself as a woman to be reckoned with, and she has two chances to take home a Moonman at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, airing live September 12 at 9 p.m.

Shortly after performing the opening number at the 2009 VMAs — and publicly flirting with her now-fiancé and the show's host Russell Brand — Perry set herself up to become one of the biggest pop stars on 2010 thanks to catchy tunes, sexy wardrobe choices and her fun, colorful personality.

After taking the stage at Radio City Music Hall last year, Perry went on to host the MTV Europe Music Awards, perhaps taking some hosting cues from Brand. After she took her act to Europe, the "Waking up in Vegas" singer found out she had been nominated for a Grammy (spoiler alert: she didn't win).

Perry and Brand celebrated their love by getting engaged in India on New Year's Eve. Perry then sat down at the judges' table on "American Idol," where she helped pick up some of Paula Abdul's slack. She later admitted she would "ditch her career" for a permanent spot on the show.

Soon, 2010 would prove to be the year of Katy Perry. She was cast in the "Smurfs" flick, got slimed at the Kids' Choice Awards, topped Maxim's Hot 100 and began her reign as pop's ruling princess when she took the stage at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards and the world became obsessed with her "California Gurls." Fans became equally obsessed with the VMA-nominated video for the track, which not only has Perry wearing a whipped-cream bra, but also hanging out naked in a cotton-candy cloud, all in the name of defeating evil Snoop Dogg.

The "California Gurls" video would help make the summer of 2010 the summer of Katy Perry, complete with a mini-beef with Lady Gaga over her use of religious imagery in her "Alejandro" video. Once a preacher's daughter, always a preacher's daughter.

Nonetheless, her song reached the top of the charts and set up Teenage Dream to dismiss all sophomore-slump fears and debut atop the Billboard 200. But not before she hosted the Teen Choice Awards with some help from the guys of "Glee," released a sexy clip for "Teenage Dream" and was nominated for Best Pop Video and Best Female Video at the VMAs. It certainly seems like she's living a teenage dream.

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 12, at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for the winners in general categories, including Best New Artist, from now through September 12.

Related Videos Katy Perry's Teenage Dream: Track By Track Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream' Music Video: The Review Related Photos The Evolution Of: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry
Get the full story from  MTV