There are probably very few people out there who don’t know what cherry lip balm can do for Miss Katy Perry. You may hate the annoyingly catchy lyrics of ‘I kissed a girl’ but there’s no denying this girl is set for world domination. Perry’s first London, scrap that – her first UK show ever, rocked the tiny venue of The Water Rats Inn in Kings Cross last night. And, I was there to watch it happen.

The high heeled, lipstick lovin sex kitten dolled up in a sparkly head band and low cut, skin tight red leotard, added some glamour to the usually scruffy venue known for helping unknowns break in to the industry. With a no.1, Katy certainly doesn’t need help and as the crowds roared, ‘Katy, Katy’, she most definitely isn’t an unknown

The tiny venue, packed with infatuated die hard fans of all ages (and I mean ALL ages) were forced to wait 25 minutes for Katy to grace the stage, but they really didn’t seem to care. Nothing wrong with being fashionably late...

HIGHLIGHTS:

One of the Boys – Title Track from new album – ‘One of the girls, Pretty in pearls
Not one of the boys’ She certainly is not!
You’re so gay – This was what Katy describes as her sing-a-long number. And boy did the crowd sing-a-long. With lyrics like this, who could resist.
I Kissed A girl – But Of course! Last song of the evening. Katy made a fake call to her mum where she admitted she kissed a girl but explained, ‘but Mom she was f**kin hot!’ Well that’s ok then.

As a performer, Katy Perry is one of those people you can’t keep your eyes off. Besides her quirky dress sense and undeniable hotness ( I can appreciate female hotness), this girl can certainly belt it out! There were no backing vocals, no effects, and nothing to hide behind – this girl is just naturally talented. Although, she is shamelessly pop/rock she could easily knock out the likes of Britney.

I haven't kissed a girl, but if I was going to...

It’s all over people! Britney’s been on stage and done her bit, Russell Brand has offended anyone and everyone, Lil Wayne proved why he can sell a million in a week and I’m back in lovely rainy London.

My first time at the VMA’s was everything I wanted it to be - there were stars, scandal and a whole lot of fun. The red carpet was intense – I was jammed between MTV Canada and MTV New Zealand and even managed to get myself on Canadian TV when I chatted to MTV Canada VJ Aliya jasmine who was reporting LIVE from the carpet.

The main talking point from the carpet was ‘what the hell Brit was going to do’ and ‘what the hell British Host Russell Brand was going to do’. My old pals from the Movie Awards, the Pussycat Dolls were all in favour of Britney. Perez Hilton gave me the inside scoop revealing that the blonde popstar would NOT be singing/dancing but had something special prepared. I also chatted to, amongst others, Seth Green, T.I., Chris Brown, Heidi and Spencer from the Hills ( who I finally pinned down after they cancelled an interview with me twice on The Hills Aftershow UK!! Grrr…), T-Pain, Paramore and Chris Brown who was looking forward to being ‘disturbed’ by his girl Rihanna’s performance.

Nearly a year to the day after her performing career went askew at the 2007 VMAs in Vegas, Britney Spears opened the 25th MTV VMA’s emerging a new, confident woman. Looking healthy, Spears opened the show with a teasing sketch with actor Jonah Hill and was gracious in accepting her first-ever VMA trophies.. thanking of course ‘God’ for her win.

Our own cheeky chappy, Russell Brand shocked the VMA viewers when he ridiculed George Bush as stupid, told Republican Sarah Palin he’d like to ‘fondle’ her and mocked the Jonas Brothers for their purity rings.

To be honest, I thought he was a bit diluted and was playing it a bit too safe compared to what he normally comes out with. Obviously Jordin Sparks doesn’t agree with me when she hit back at Brand saying ‘"It's not bad to wear a promise ring 'cos not everybody, guy or a girl, wants to be a slut, OK?" Miaow!!

On stage Leona Lewis kicked off a medley with Lil Wayne and then T-Pain arrived to join Wayne for "Got Money". Lil Wayne also picked up a moonman for Best Hip-Hop Video” for “Lollipop,” beating out Kanye West, T.I. and Mary J. Blige. The lil rapper didn’t hang around for the after party as he had to fly straight to New York for a court appearance. Me however, I was definitely hanging around for the after party..

Backstage after Kanye’s show stopping finale when I was heading to the party, I was almost knocked down by a golf buggy (and I thought golf buggies were my friend) and was surprised to see it contained a shaded Benji Madden with a ridiculously glamorous Paris Hilton. At that exact moment, Britney Spears walked past me and Paris’s little voice squeeked “Oh my god Britney, congratulations on the awards”. “ Oh my gosh, thank you” responded a grinning Britney who looked extremely HOT! What a surreal experience, I felt like I was in the twilight zone.

And what about the Aftershow Party?... well that would be telling!:)

I go to a lot of festivals and for the past five years have been to Glastonbury. I skipped it this year (along with a lot of my mates) because of the mud and weather in 2007 which were very tough- especially while working!

And last year I broke my Bestival virginity and it was by far my favourite (and most sunny) festival of 07. So we all went this weekend. Suffice to say this year the weather was ridiculous. Torrential rain, strong winds, mud and flooding.

Anyway it was still a great three days but I’m now very tired and glad to be well away from the mudbath. Below is a quick run through of the best bits.

Read full Bestival reviews here

Best Acts: Sebastian Tellier, Roni Size (with Dynamite MC), Lee Scratch Perry, Chromeo and Dub Pistols.

Biggest Disappointments: Amy Winehouse (again!) and the closure of the BBC Introducing Stage for most of the fest’ meaning Lykke Li, Black Kids and Late Of The Pier pulled out.

Best Costumes: Loads of fishermen, divers, mermaids and Spongebob Squarepants (it was an underwater theme).

Worst Costumes: Groups of lads with ‘Muff Diver’ written on their shirts.

Funniest Sight: Despite Bestival being full of ‘individuals’ there was still a riot when Topshop gave out free scarfs.

Most Deluded Quote: “They gave ecstasy to soldiers in the Somme you know. I can see why now.”

It’s almost here people! In just a few hours the 25th MTV Video Music Awards kicks off in Paramount Pictures, LA, and the good news, for me anyway, I’m here! Yes, MTV News have packed me off to cover the VMA’s this year and to bring you the hottest red carpet action (it is bleedin hot here!), celebrity performances and my favourite… some juicy backstage gossip!

Our very own Russell Brand is hosting this year’s ceremony. Will our American friends ‘get’ him? Well, according to ‘Panic at the disco’ and ‘Plain White Tees’ who I met performing at a pre-show in House of Blues yesterday, they most certainly will. Although Russell is relatively unknown over here – except for his hilarious role in ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ where he is basically playing himself – tongues have been wagging on the sunny coast as to what Brand will get up to or come out with. Well we’ll be finding out soon…

Yesterday, someone foolishly let me loose around Paramount Pictures where I achieved a life long dream and stole a buggy and drove it around the lot getting a sneak peak at rehearsals and all the pre show mayhem. I ‘accidently’ ended up on the set of the Jonas Brothers performance – I use the word ‘accidently loosely I may have known exactly what I was doing- where I feared for my life as several hundred Jonas Brothers fans/ extras ran around the stage. Teenage girls are scary... ah I remember it well!

Also bumped into a withdrawn Rihanna and Chris Brown backstage who weren’t too impressed with me catching them together. Come on guys just do us a favour and admit you’re all loved up!

A throbbing drum beat bellowing from Stage 16 informed me The Ting Tings were starting to rehearse ‘Shut up and Let me go’ with DJ AM on decks. So in I went and sat on Britney Spears seat in the audience – I know it’s her seat because I had to sit on a picture of her face. It was actually quite a surreal moment walking into the auditorium and seeing an audience full of photographs of our fave celebs! A little bit like something out of a horror film where all our beloved celebs are supernaturally transformed into photocopied picture of themselves.. Hmmm.. that actually sounds quite good, maybe I’ll drop off a screenplay while I’m in Paramount Pictures...

The surprise of the day for me was definitely my meeting with Lil Wayne who was also preparing to knock us dead with his performance where he is accompanied by a string orchestra. He was very chatty and told me about his upcoming plans with T-Pain and how much he’d like to win an award this year to top of his phenomenal year! I think he has a good chance!

The one thing I didn’t get a sneak preview of was whatever it is Britney’s doing to open the show. That has by far been the main talking point.. let’s just hope it’s better than last year. Love ya Brit, do me proud!

Catch the MTV VMA's on Monday, Sep 8th, on MTV One at 9pm!

Last night I hit the red carpet of London’s Leicester Sq. for the world wide premiere of Guy Ritchie’s new movie, Rock N Rolla.

On one of the longest constructed red carpets I’ve seen at a premiere, the crowds were out in force as always hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars. Gerard Butler seemed to be the name most people seemed keen to see as fans chanted ‘…Gerry Gerrrrry…’ over and over. However, Madonna’s connection to the occasion through her famous director husband was definitely the underlying excitement with the spectators.

First on to the Rock N Rolla red carpet was Mr. Guy Ritchie himself as he began signing autographs. Followed by Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton and the rest of the cast, they all proceeded to speak to the awaiting press.

So representing MTV at the Rock N Rolla premiere I thought I’d ask the cast who their real life favourite Rock N Rolla’s actually were. Gerard Butler reckoned his would be the Rolling Stones, Bronson Webb reckoned The Artic Monkeys but my favourite answer came from Idris Elba who simply replied ‘Jimi Hendrix – let’s take it back to the old school’.

However, probably one of the biggest Rock Stars ever to walk the planet made the biggest entrance of the night at least twenty minutes after the carpet had cleared. Guy Ritchie opened the door of a blacked out executive car only to see the Queen of Pop herself Madonna emerge and accompany him on his final journey past the paparazzi – job done!

Big fan of this man, glad to see him working with The Neptunes. Check out his latest video 'Announcement' and watch out for the producer's entrance, Pharrell nails it. Dumb. Most creative video yet that Little X has directed...

So we were trying to think of a good way to launch this fancy new MTV blog and decided we’d rope in a female singer to help.

And we couldn’t just bring you just any old popstar- MTV News bagged one currently sitting pretty at the top of the charts with her debut single.

We love Katy Perry’s track I Kissed A Girl here in the office and the album (One Of The Boys) should be massive. So we’re bringing you an EXCLUSIVE taster of her disc- which is due out on September 15.

So click HERE or on the banner below to download the track and see what our Yanky cousins have been getting so excited over- then have a read of the other blogs below from our presenters and the rest of the team.

OK, I’m no longer ashamed... My name is Laura Whitmore and I am.. an Abba fan! There are probably more “rock ‘n’ roll” ways to spend a Bank Holiday Monday afternoon than at Mamma Mia The Movie… ‘sing a long’ special. Any future suggestions on a postcard please…

Yesterday afternoon didn’t run too smoothly, after ‘dragging’ a friend of mine – I say ‘dragging’ but I know he secretly loved it, to Odeon Leicester square, we sat down as the first tune belted out from the screen. That’s when we realised – s**t wrong cinema. The next 10 minutes can only be described as a scene from The Italian Job but substitute the taxis for a whole lot of tubes.

Two Irish people living in London long enough ought to know better but we still ended up taking the wrong tube... well the right tube but not necessarily the quickest route.

When we reached the right venue... the audience was a bit shy… Except for the three lovely ladies I met from Kentish Town – respect girls! You did Abba Proud.

Whether you had a note in your head or not was insignificant... they cast Pierce Brosnan for crying out loud!! I also have to show some respect to our very own Dancing Queen in the cinema. He was the first one to his feet so whoever you were you’re a legend!

On screen, Julie Walters by far stole the show with her account of ‘Take a Chance’... although the guy next to me wasn't half bad!

As for the rest of the audience, I don’t think they realised it was sing along and looked on with laughter , maybe a little bit of fear, as the dedicated few of us got down to business. Now I’m not saying the wine didn’t help, but sing a long films need to make a comeback. It’s a dark room so nobody really knows who’s singing, the words are up there so no embarrassing mix up of lines and the seats are comfy. Win Win situation me thinks– just make sure you leave before the house lights come up. Rookie mistake.

These are undeniably some of the biggest names in hip-hop, in the music industry. N*E*R*D, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West and Pusha T of Clipse collaborated once again to become Child Rebel Soldier.

We showed you behind the scenes footage on MTV News and below you can check out the finished video for the ‘Everyone Nose Remix’ directed by Hype Williams.

You can catch interviews and behind the scenes footage of the guys this Saturday on MTV One at midday on The News Cube…

I’m a little bit of a festival addict but before my MTV days it’s always been pretty much restricted to frolicking and moshing around fields in the Irish countryside – not that there is anything wrong with Irish fields, once you beware of those sheep.

So... move over Oxegen and Electric Picnic.. Laura does V! I spent last weekend at V Festival.. my first time there AND my first time to Essex I’ll have you know! The line up was amazing and I got to interview one of my favourite bands of all time ‘Stereophonics’. The boys are releasing their greatest hits ‘A Decade in The Sun’ in November. It’s always a fear to meet your heroes but Kelly Jones was as lovely as ever and unlike Muse, who I have to say did blow us away with massive satellite dishes and a huge lasers and lights show ( as well as a pretty awesome set), phonics said they can do just that without all the effects.

Unfortunately I missed their performance as I was at that time, interviewing a quite inebriated Luke Pritchard of The Kooks fame. I was asked if I wanted to be in the band with them… hmmm next time I’m bringing a lawyer and getting some sort of contract signed when they’re still on the jolly!

I also met up with my buddies The Script – congrats on the no. 1 album lads and to Mark who is a new Daddy! We reminisced about Yorkshire tea (check out my blog about the Script!) and they told me about how great the support they’re getting is. Aww Bless their little cotton socks!

Lenny Kravitz blew me away on the main stage, but as ever for us MTV News folk it was work, work, work and I only saw one song – American Woman.. a classic, as I was whisked off backstage for more interviews… this time.. Kings of Leon. When I asked bassist Jared Followill about Radiohead’s recent comment - “If we were that good looking, we’d be famous”. Jared joked that “we are as good looking as we are and we’re still no better”. Hmmm you can’t deny they are very pretty.

But I think Thom Yorke is selling himself short. The Hoosiers were all about Thom and told me after their performance on Saturday that they thought he was truly a ‘beeeeaaaautiful man’ and rated his looks above Kings.

So... In short: V = sun, rain, good music, good atmosphere, fun times but… beware pints being thrown around the pit.. Because me no thinks that was beer in those cups. You know what I’m talking about!!