MTV VMAs 2012: Rihanna, One Direction Find Love & Moonmen

Taylor Swift Dazzles, Rivals Chris Brown & Drake Win Big

The most shocking aspect of the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards? That would be the lack of shocking moments at the show, held for the first time at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Chocked with stars, including Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry,Drake, Lil Wayne, Green Day, Wiz Khalifa and others, the Kevin Hart-hosted affair ran largely by the book, with a mix of goofy gags, performances and a smattering of awards ( One Direction, notably, won three).

The night opened and closed with Rihanna, who kicked off the festivities with a thumping split performance of "Cockiness" featuring A$AP Rocky, and her megahit, "We Found Love." At the end of the night, her gritty clip for "Love" snagged Video of the Year honors. "I love you guys, this is awesome," she gushed.

Taylor Swift goes for a ride during her show-closing performance of her latest hit, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

Just after presenting a Moonman, the USA Olympic gymnast team takes part in a unique performance of "Girl On Fire" with Alicia Keys.

After making several additions to her red carpet look, "Best Female Video" winner Nicki Minaj rocks the mic with her usual authority.

Following a show-opening performance of "We Found Love," Rihanna gladly accepts the Moonman for "Video of the Year" for her Calvin Harris team-up.

No stranger to the VMA spotlight, Rihanna breaks into a rendition of "We Found Love" to warm up the crowd at the start of the show.

A pair of eclectic styles take centerstage as Wiz Khalifa and Ke$ha prepare to hand out a Moonman.

Though host Kevin Hart looks a bit more excited, it's actually Rihanna who just won the Moonman for "Video of the Year." Trust us.

Chart-topping diva Pink is all smiles as she makes a unique entrance into the VMA fun.

Comically-clad actress Rebel Wilson gets a little flirty with the boys of One Direction just before presenting a Moonman.

Getting into character for new LP "Red," Taylor Swift belts the chorus of her latest single, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." Take that, ex-boyfriends!

Chris Brown takes home the Moonman for "Best Male Video" thanks to support for "Turn Up the Music."

The fresh-faced boys of One Direction pose for the camera following a breakout night at the '12 VMAs. Two Moonmen and one killer performance? Not bad!

Rihanna takes a rare breather during an evening that included a show-opening performance and the coveted award for "Video of the Year."

Hip-hop/R&B pretty boy Drake is all smiles taking home the award for "Best Hip-Hop Video" via the Lil' Wayne collab, "HYFR."

Among the breakout stars of the '12 VMAs, One Direction nail a performance of "One Thing" amongst their adoring fans.

One Direction's Niall Horan was the (very) lucky recipient of the award for Best Pop Video, with Katy Perry presenting.

With her ensemble backing her every step of the way, Taylor Swift closes out the 2012 VMAs in grand fashion.

Following a slight wardrobe change, Lil' Wayne heads onstage to accept the Moonman for "Best Hip-Hop Video" alongside collaborator/BFF Drake.

VMA fans take a brief break from pop music to share a moment with members of the "Twilight" team (L-R): actors Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, director Bill Condon and actors Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Jackson Rathbone.

The boys of One Direction exchange a well-deserved round of hugs after taking home the Moonman for "Best Pop Video."

Rihanna and 2 Chainz get up close and personal during the VMAs' big opening.

Just after capturing an early Moonman, "The X-Factor"'s Demi Lovato breaks into a high-energy rendition of "Give Your Heart a Break."

Chart newcomers One Direction gladly accept the award for Best Pop Video with a moving speech to the LA audience.

Singers Demi Lovato and Rita Ora take the stage to present the award for Best Male Video, won by Chris Brown over heavy hitters like Usher and Drake.

Host Kevin Hart entered with a dud of a joke, accompanied with a security detail comprised of little people. "I told MTV I wanted a little security. They took it literally." He called out previous host Russell Brand and the Drake-Chris Brown during his spit-fire opening monologue. "MTV is the place for mistakes."

The first award given during the telecast, Best Pop Video, went to One Direction for "What Makes You Beautiful." Presenter Katy Perry accidentally broke off the Moonman's flag when handing it to the guys, but quickly made up for it by giving the guys a peck. "Katy, thanks for the kiss. We've grown up watching this show. To be here is incredible." They later performed new single "One Thing" and later still solidified their status as the hottest new group in pop by winning Best New Artist. During the pre-show, "Beautiful" also won Most Share-Worthy Video.

Video: Memorable VMA Performances

Live sets came from P!nk, who performed "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)," currently No. 11 on the Hot 100, and Frank Ocean, with an affecting take on his emotional "Thinkin Bout You." Green Day represented the rock with a run-though of "Let Yourself Go," off "Uno!" 2 Chainz sang "Yuck!"

Alicia Keys played the original version of her single "Girl on Fire," with an able assist from Nicki Minaj and a moment-of-the-night cameo by U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas, who did a bit of light tumbling during the tail end of the performance. It was all smiles from the all-around gold medalist at last month's Olympics.

The show actually saved the best performance for last with Taylor Swift and huge ensemble of friends and furries dancing in an anthemic fist-raising TV debut of her recent Hot 100 No. 1 "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

Other winners went to Chris Brown, a magnet for controversy, who went the subtle route with his acceptance speech for Best Male Video ("Turn Up the Music"), thanking fans and management in brief comments. Brown's sworn enemy, Drake, got a bit more personal when accepting Best Hip-Hop Video, for "HYFR." The Canadian rapper said growing up black and Jewish informed the song's message. "I wanna dedicate this award to to any kid who's had a long walk home by himself," he said while surrounded by Young Money cohorts Lil' Wayne and Nicki Minaj.

Pre-show awards went to Demi Lovato, whose "Skyscraper" earned the nod for Best Video With a Message. She was soon performing her most recent single, "Give Your Heart a Break," which tops Billboard's Pop Songs chart this week.

Calvin Harris, the night's DJ, won Best EDM Video for "Feel So Close." Conveniently, the super-producer (Rihanna's "We Found Love") had his Moonman while he was pumping the beats inside the Staples Center.

Unlike last year, when the red carpet was actually inside (and thus, air conditioned), this year the press line was housed in a custom-built, double-decker structure. The talent had to run the gauntlet outside, starting with MTV in the first position and then winding their way down the second level, before descending to the first floor. Then after that, the red carpet picked up on the hot asphalt in the street between the Nokia Theater and Staples Center, where it winded through a sea of bloggers and fans.

It didn't carry the same WOW-factor as last year's big red-carpet pregnancy news (Beyonce), but Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose announced to (your boy) Sway that they were expecting their first child. "I'm hot and my feet hurt," the model said.