TORONTO, Ont. – Justin Bieber and Katy Perry were early winners at the star studded MuchMusic Video Awards, Sunday.

Outrageous electro-pop duo LMFAO opened the show with a mash-up medley of their dance-floor hits. The duo took the stage surrounded by acrobatic dancers (including someone in a plush pink bear costume and several inflatable zebras) before eventually stripping to thongs.

Katy Perry took the International Video of the Year award for “Last Friday Night,” and next up Justin Bieber was awarded International Video of the Year by a Canadian for “Boyfriend.” Bieber also walked away with the award for Favourite Artist.

MMVA co-hosts LMFAO won International Video of the Year by a group for “Sexy And I Know It.”

Thousands of fans lined the red carpet surrounding Queen Street West and John Street hours before the show hoping to catch a glimpse of some of music’s biggest stars.


Nelly Furtado, Headley, Kelly Clarkson, and Marianas Trench were all in attendance but it was pretty clear early on who fans were there to see – Justin Bieber.

Throughout the show a worshiping crowd shrieked at the very mention of the pop star’s name.

Only days before the release of his third album, Bieber closed the show with his new single “All Around The World” and then transitioned into his No. 1 single “Boyfriend.”

Sunday night’s performance is only two days before the much-anticipated release of “Believe,” Bieber’s third full-length album, which will feature “Boyfriend.”

“With this album, I was really inspired by my fans,” he said. “Canada, I will always support you and always love you.”

Bieber had the adoring crowd eating from his palm from his red-carpet entrance — when he approached with his adorable baby brother in his arms, bringing the throngs to a fever pitch of screamed swooning — to his show-closing performance.

And the fans were ready for him, ready with cardboard cutouts of his head held aloft, with marriage proposals scrawled on gigantic signs and with purple and red Bieber bands firmly affixed to their foreheads.

Earlier in the day, some industrious Bieber followers were even spotted trying to squeeze underneath fencing set up around the perimeter of the stage in the hopes of possibly catching a glimpse of the singer.

When the 18-year-old claimed his first award of the evening, the piercing squeals of the crowd reverberated for blocks.

“Thank you so much,” said Bieber, clad in a black T-shirt with a gold chain dangling from his neck. “I want to say thank you so much to my home. I want to say thank you to all my family, my fans, I wouldn’t be here without you guys.

Breakout pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen — whose hit “Call Me Maybe” has topped the charts in Canada and around the world — also performed. The Mission, B.C., native took home three awards, represented the night’s biggest haul.

Victoria’s Nelly Furtado and Vancouver pop outfit Marianas Trench were also been added to the lineup for the show, as well a feature performance from Katy Perry.

Marianas Trench, who lead with seven nominations going into the show, took home Pop Video of the Year for “Haven’t Had Enough.”

Toronto rapper Drake, who was a no-show at the awards, and Hedley from Abbotsford, B.C., are next with five nominations apiece.

Drake was awarded MuchVIBE Hip-Hop Video of the Year for “The Motto” featuring Lil Wayne & Tyga.

The Sheepdogs and City and Colour also reeled in trophies.