LADY GAGA, BEYONCE LEAD MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

The nominations for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards have been announced, with Beyonce and Lady Gaga leading the way with nine nominations each.

The 26th annual show will take place on September 13, and Beyonce and Lady Gaga will battle it out for the Moonman award in categories like Video of the Year and Best Female Video.

“I’m excited and honoured to be tied for most nominated for the VMAs,” Beyoncé said. “I’ve been blessed this year to have Single Ladies become a video people really connected with and responded to. I’ve spent so much time watching all the great versions people created all around the world. It’s beautiful to feel you touch people and bring a song to life with a video.”

The ever-entertaining Lady Gaga also commented on her nominations: “After years of hustle in New York City, where we made our art videos in bars, myself and the Haus of Gaga are honoured to receive nine nominations for the 2009 VMAs,” she said. “We believe in the immensity and the promise of ‘showbiz’ and will continue to give it mouth-to-mouth, till its vomiting return. All you need is a camcorder, a flashlight and one truly great idea. Thank you, MTV, for being our video flagship, and for supporting this bunch of inspired kids, who love to get wasted and make art together.”

Other nominees include Britney Spears, Eminem and Kanye West. The show, which is to be again hosted by British comedian Russel Brand, will also feature performances by Taylor Swift, Pink, Green Day and Muse. Celebrity presenters confirmed for the show include Katy Perry, Ne-Yo and Chace Crawford.