In 2011, MTV had their biggest audience in history, 12.3 million viewers tuned in to the VMAs. Now this year, at a bigger venue, the awards show is prepared to dazzle minds everywhere.

“I think that the show is going to be very good this year,” says junior Marissa McMillan. “Especially since One Direction is performing.”

Kevin Hart, a comedian, is this year’s host. Many believe he is going to have big shoes to fill due to the success of Russell Brand for the past two years. He does not seem nervous in the least though because he has already posted a video involving himself and one of the power couples, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, calling the trio, “Kev-Ye-Kim.”

Performing in the main show this year is Green Day, Alicia Keyes, Frank Ocean, One Direction, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and P!nk. Calvin Harris will be gracing the audience with his presence in the pre-show.

Some of the presenters include, The Fierce Five (Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, and McKayla Maroney), Miley Cyrus, Ke$ha, Wiz Khalifa, Katy Perry and Mac Miller.

Nominations were released on July 31st with Drake and Rihanna bringing in the most nominations at five, while Beyonce and Katy Perry have four. Some of the nominations are:

Video of the Year -
Katy Perry, "Wide Awake"
Gotye, "Somebody That I Used To Know"
Rihanna, "We Found Love"
Drake feat. Rihanna, "Take Care"
M.I.A., "Bad Girls"

Best New Artist -
Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, "We Are Young"
Carly Rae Jepsen, "Call Me Maybe"
Frank Ocean, "Swim Good"
One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"
The Wanted, "Glad You Came"

Best Male Video -
Justin Bieber, "Boyfriend"
Frank Ocean, "Swim Good"
Drake feat. Rihanna, "Take Care"
Chris Brown, "Turn Up the Music"
Usher, "Climax"

Best Female Video -
Rihanna, "We Found Love"
Katy Perry, "Part of Me"
Beyoncé, "Love on Top"
Nicki Minaj, "Starships"
Selena Gomez & The Scene, "Love You Like a Love Song"

Best Hip-Hop Video -
Childish Gambino, "Heartbeat"
Drake feat. Lil Wayne, "HYFR"
Kanye West feat. Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz, "Mercy"
Watch the Throne, "Paris"
Nicki Minaj feat. 2 Chainz, "Beez in the Trap"

Best Pop Video -
One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"
Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, "We Are Young"
Rihanna, "We Found Love"
Justin Bieber, "Boyfriend"
Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa, "Payphone"

Best Rock Video -
Coldplay, "Paradise"
The Black Keys, "Lonely Boy"
Linkin Park, "Burn it Down"
Jack White, "Sixteen Saltines"
Imagine Dragons, "It's Time"

Best Electronic Dance Music Video -
Duck Sauce, "Big Bad Wolf"
Calvin Harris, "Feel So Close"
Skrillex, "First of the Year (Equinox)"
Martin Solveig, "The Night Out"
Avicii, "Levels"

Best Video With a Message -
Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper"
Rise Against, "Ballad of Hollis Brown"
Kelly Clarkson, "Dark Side"
Gym Class Heroes, "The Fighter"
K'Naan feat. Nelly Furtado, "Is Anybody Out There?"
Lil Wayne, "How to Love"

This year the VMA’s are sure to amaze and excite viewers everywhere.