MTV EMAs 2012: Taylor Swift Is Popular in Europe, Too

Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber cleaned up at the 2012 MTV European Music Awards on Sunday (November 11), tying for the most wins with three statues apiece. Swift, who was recently shut out stateside at the Country Music Association Awards, took home trophies for Best Female, Best Look, and Best Live Act. The singer bolstered her first-ever EMA appearance with a circus-themed rendition of super popular single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and later thanked her fans via Twitter, writing, “Such an insane night!!! You guys won me 3 EMAs! Best female, best live act, best look. Can’t even begin to thank you enough. I love you!!”

Bieber, who missed the ceremony to work out some of his relationship demons on stage in Boston, still won the awards for Best Male, Best World Stage, and Best Pop. Most of those wins are well-worn territory for the Canadian crooner, who triumphed in the Best Male and Best Pop categories at last year’s EMA and was declared Best Male and Best PUSH act — a franchise that highlights up-and-comers — in 2010. This year, Best PUSH went to Bieber protegé Carly Rae Jepsen, who also nabbed Best Song for “Call Me Maybe.” Jepsen — a first-time EMA nominee, winner, and performer — treated the audience to a live version of “Maybe,” complete with crowdsurfing.

Fellow first-time guest Lana Del Rey was dubbed Best Alternative, while PSY, another EMA virgin, got Best Video for “Gangnam Style,” which he performed with Kraut-favorite David Hasselhoff. British boy band One Direction were declared Best New Act and won an award for having the “Biggest Fans.” Linkin Park followed up their 2011 win for Best Rock by winning again this year. Nicki Minaj claimed Best Hip-Hop during her inaugural visit to the awards show and producer/DJ David Guetta collected Best Electronic. Whitney Houston posthumously received the Global Icon honor.

No Doubt lost Best Pop, the Killers struck out for Best Rock, and Pitbull didn’t get Best Male or Best Song, but they all took the stage as performers. Other live acts that went home empty-handed include Rita Ora, Muse, and fun.