Fed: Pop rules at MTV Awards

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2008
Fed: Pop rules at MTV Awards

By Alyssa Braithwaite and Katherine Field

SYDNEY, April 26 AAP - Powerhouses of rock and rap were no match for Australia's pop
princesses Delta Goodrem and The Veronicas, who have claimed the top prizes at the MTV
Australia Awards.

Goodrem beat bad boy rapper 50 Cent and the Foo Fighters to clinch the music video
of the year trophy for her single Believe Again at the ceremony held in Sydney tonight.

Meanwhile, The Veronicas edged out multi-award winning bands Silverchair and Sneaky
Sound System to nab the Australian artist music award.

The Veronicas - Lisa and Jess Origliasso - said winning the award was "icing on the cake".

"Even to just be here and be nominated is a great feeling," they told AAP.

As usual the awards played second fiddle to the performances, glamour and cheeky antics
with several high-profile guests flown in for the occasion.

Rappers 50 Cent and Eve and actress-turned-singer Juliette Lewis entertained the crowd,
while former Fugees singer Wyclef Jean took up hosting duties.

But none of the visiting stars were on the receiving end of the fan-voted awards, though
50 Cent and Lewis' group Juliette and the Licks were nominated.

The Chaser crew's APEC stunt, which last year gave them record television ratings,
tonight earned them the best television moment award.

"For the biggest nerds on earth it's very ironic that we are here at the MTV awards," they said.

"We didn't even anticipate there would be anything come of that little stunt.

"It was just a funny idea we thought. It went crazily out of control.

"I came last year but I was very uninvited then," Craig Reucassel said.

The star-studded event boasted Hollywood "it-girl" Mischa Barton, while other high-profile
guests included Brian McFadden, Kim Kardashian, The Vines, Leona Lewis, the Rogue Traders,
Merrick and Rosso, Ian Thorpe and Vanessa Amorosi.

The annual awards were given a makeover this year with changed categories and format,
a new gritty location at Australian Technology Park, and a trophy reminiscent of Ned Kelly's
helmet.

Three non-fan voted awards were handed out. They went to Matt Damon for best movie
star, Australian surfing world champion Mick Fanning for sport, and Timbaland for international
artist of the year.

Singer Pink, who opened last year's MTV awards, was voted the live performer of the
year for her I'm Not Dead tour.

As the only nominee for the bad karma award, former immigration minister Kevin Andrews,
was a shoo-in. He was singled out for banning 2007 MTV Awards invitee Snoop Dogg from
entering the country.

The Earth Hour initiative was recognised with the good karma trophy.

Aussie garage rock band the Vines brought the night to an end, performing their new
single He's a Rocker.

AAP kaf/acb/dj/jnb

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