Plus: Sway will track stars' every move from the MTV News Chopper during 'Opening Act' at 8 p.m. Sunday.
By Chris Harris


Taylor Swift
Photo: MTV.com

The clock keeps ticking away toward the launch of the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] at 9 p.m. Sunday. But the VMA action really gets under way an hour earlier, at 8 p.m., as MTV News brings viewers "Opening Act," which will be co-hosted by country crossover cutie [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] live from the VMA red carpet.

New this year to the preshow is the MTV News Chopper, which will be flying Sway across the Los Angeles airways all evening long. Sway, armed with cutting-edge GPS tracking technology, will clue viewers in on the whereabouts of the various celebrities who'll be arriving for the big show and ensure that all the VMA nominees, presenters and performers arrive on time and in style.

Swift will serve as MTV News' fashion correspondent during the preshow. Once inside, Swift will be taking the VMA stage to introduce the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. The preshow will also feature MTV News' Tim Kash, John Norris, Kim Stolz and Jim Cantiello, who will be reporting on all of the festivities while interviewing some of the biggest stars in entertainment as they make their way to this year's VMAs.

In addition, the VMA red carpet will be transformed during the preshow into a stage that will host a one-of-a-kind VMA dance-off, featuring crews Kaba Modern and Fanny Pak from MTV's own "America's Best Dance Crew." ([Only registered and activated users can see links. ]) "ABDC" fans chose Kaba Modern and Fanny Pak to perform during "Opening Act" after five finalist crews from seasons one and two of the show competed last weekend in the special one-hour "America's Best Dance Crew: Battle for the VMAs."

After the preshow performance, fans will once again have the power — voting at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] for the winning crew, which will be announced on the VMA stage.

This year's VMAs will be [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. The evening will feature performances from [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]and a special [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Presenters include [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Pete Wentz, Jamie Foxx, "Gossip Girl" star Chace Crawford, a very pregnant [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], Kobe Bryant, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], Paris Hilton, Slash, Taylor Swift, Shia LaBeouf, Michael Phelps, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johansson, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Christopher "McLovin" Mintz-Plasse and "The Hills" gang — Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt.

This year's VMAs will unfold at the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood and will air live starting at 9 p.m. ET.

Now that you've helped us pick the nominees for this year's Video Music Awards, head to [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] to vote for your favorite in the Best New Artist category, check out the latest additions to the performer and presenter lineups, see the best (and worst) of VMA fashion and much more. Then tune in this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET for MTV News' "Opening Act" on the red carpet, followed by the big show, live from Hollywood at 9 p.m. ET.



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