The 2012 VMA nominations are in, and Rihanna and Drake are frontrunners with five nods each. Pop's leading lady Katy Perry follows close behind with four nominations for 2012's smash hits "Part of Me" and "Wide Awake." New acts like "Call Me Maybe" songstress Carly Rae Jepsen and UK band The Wanted will spar against Bieber, Beyonce and Kanye West with between one and three nods each.
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If the looks that graced last year's VMA red carpet are any indication, we're definitely in store for a fashion-forward show. Three of our favorite nominees never disappoint. But whose style packs the most punch?
Beyonce:
New mom Beyonce didn't let pregnancy change her glamorous style - and motherhood hasn't stopped her either. The singer, with three nominations at the 2012 VMA's for "Love On Top" and "Countdown," is a fan of high hems, sequins and big everything.
For her first award show appearance post-Blue Ivy's birth, Beyonce slipped into a bright-yellow Stéphane Rolland gown at this summer's 2012 BET awards. Bey accented the one-sleeved gown with a large metallic belt that reminded us of a disco ball. Paired perfectly with Lorraine Shwartz drop earrings, the star was her usual glam self.
We also loved the singer's 2011 Grammys look. She showed some serious skin with her black Chanel sequined blazer and matching sequined shorts, paired with saucy Christian Louboutin python platform heels.
At last year's VMAs Beyonce announced her pregnancy on stage in a sequined pink blazer, setting a then Twitter record for most tweets per second about a single event. We can't wait to see what the star has in store for us this year!
Rihanna:
The good girl gone bad has slimmed down and toned up since her last VMA appearance in 2010. And, true to form, she hasn't been shy about showing off her newly sculpted physique with plunging necklines, wild prints and slinky silhouettes.
We particularly loved her 2012 Grammys red carpet look, a sleek and simple black silk gown, that revealed skin in all the right places. The custom Giorgio Armani gown had a deep neckline, an open back and high slit - talk about hot! Rihanna played up her wild side with a gold diamond-adorned snake armlet and mussed-up bleach blonde waves.
At the 2012 BRIT awards, Rihanna opted again for a plunging neckline in Givenchy Haute Couture. The gold sequin dress was halter style and had a thigh-high leg split, showing of the star's toned thighs. Paired with over-the-top accessories like brown leather gloves and gold strappy heels, Rihanna showed no fear.
Katy Perry:
There's no question that this in-your-face girl likes to get campy on the red carpet. Katy has never met a costume she didn't like. The "Firework" singer usually arrives in bright, girlie colors, pushing the envelope with pastel hair and over-the-top accessories. Since her divorce from actor Russell Brand, the newly single star has rarely toned it down.
For the summer premiere of her movie Katy Perry: Part of Me, Katy donned a goofy movie-inspired ensemble. Bursting out of a giant popcorn box, Katy's film-reel bra was paired with a red and white popcorn themed skirt and a pair of bubblegum pink heels. The look was complete with a purple coif.
For the 2011 VMAs, Katy's look was more subdued - her light pink hair accenting an geisha-inspired ensemble. Topping off her candy-colored dress with a matching parasol, the geisha girl was sweet and sexy all rolled into one.
From parasols to plunging Vs, these three bombshells always make us smile. Do you have a favorite?
