Pushing the boundaries! Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus play dress-up as they battle to be the

However, the 27-year-old singer did show off copious amounts of cleavage as she arrived at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday before opening the show with a performance of her latest single Applause.

Who's the red carpet queen? Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus battle it out for the most memorable outfit at the MTV VMAs at the Barclays Center Brooklyn on Sunday

'I’ve been rehearsing all week and I’m so excited,' the star told Just Jared in a pre-show interview. 'It’s been incredible dancing and singing again, doing all the things I love, so I’m having a really good time.'

 

Katy Perry, meanwhile, opted for a leopard print slinky dress complete with gold dragonfly embellishments and thigh-high slit.

The star teamed her Emanuel Ungaro distinctive dress with strappy black and gold sandals and a high ponytail as she stepped out at the annual event.

Back to black: The eccentric star sported a black PVC gown complete with sheer train and no jewellery

Little Monsters: Lady Gaga strides past a bank of eager fans as she made her way in to open the show 

Animal magic! Katy Perry cut a striking figure on the MTV VMA red carpet in a leopardprint dress embellished with dragonflies on Sunday in Brooklyn, New York

The 28-year-old singer's outfit was typically fitting ahead of the first live performance of her new single Roar at the end of the show, which she performed under the Brooklyn Bridge. 

The star also bared her teeth in a jewelled grill while posing for photographers.

'It’s about Brooklyn. It’s about keeping it real in Brooklyn,' Katy said on the red carpet about her performance.

Roar is Katy's first single from her forthcoming third studio album Prism and has famously outsold Lady Gaga's single Applause.

Stepping into the spotlight: Katy looked in good spirits as she waved to fans on the red carpet

Pearly whites: Katy bared her teeth with a multi-coloured jewelled grill on the red carpet

Meet and greet: The Firework singer took a few snapshots with her fans on the carpet

Grabbing a slice of the spotlight: Lady Gaga's father Joe Germanotta joined her at the event, while Richard Simmons looked suitably garish as he posed with Katy Perry

Miley Cyrus was also a big draw on the carpet and wowed fans by busting out a few moves on her way into the show.

The 20-year-old We Can't Stop singer sported a pair of high waisted black leggings embellished with colourful beading and a cropped top showing off the star's toned stomach.

'Today's already the f***** best day ever! Just wait till VMAs tonight,' she wrote on her Twitter page before the show.

The singer later changed her outfit to a far more revealing number as she performed with Robin Thicke on stage., drawing gasps from the star-studded audience.

Busting some moves: Miley Cyrus showed off her extremely toned figure in a pair of jewelled black leggings and crop top as she danced her way down the carpet

Glamming up: Selena Gomez looked stunning in a navy blue embellished floor length dress complete with cut out bustier

Channelling old glamour: Tyalor Swift looked very vintage Hollywood in her plunging navy blue gown and curled blonde hair

Miley's former Disney co-star Selena Gomez opted for a more glamorous look in a dark blue floor length Atelier Versace gown with a sheer cut out bustier detail.

And her good friend Taylor Swift also plumped for navy blue, looking stunning in her plunging Herve Leger by Max Azria dress, with her blonde hair curled in a vintage Hollywood style.

'Headed to the VMAs. So. Excited,' she tweeted before the ceremony.

Hell for leather: Jennifer Hudson sported a hounds tooth print top and mid leather skirt for the carpet

k

Elsewhere, Snooki arrived looking striking in a black and silver flowing gown with typically revealing front section exposing her cleavage.

The slimline star wore her red hair in loose waves around her shoulders and happily posed with her more casually dressed boyfriend Jionni LaValle.

Her reality co-stars Jenni 'JWoww Farley and her fiancé Roger Mathews glammed up for the bash, with JWoww sporting a black and white gown.

However, their Jersey Shore co-stars Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola looked a little less formal with Sammi sporting a black plunging leather top and white mini skirt.

Back to black: Snooki looked positively demure from the back of her ornate embroidered black and silver gown

Plunging style: Snooki showed off her cleavage  in the spectacular gown with silver and black lace ups at the front while Jionni LaValle wore a more casual ensemble

Jersey Shore turnout:  Jenni 'Jwoww' Farley and Roger Mathews glammed up for the big event, while their former reality show co-stars Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola and her beau Ronnie Ortiz-Magro looked a little less formal

Flashing the flesh: Ashanti looked distinctive in a bright turquoise gown, as she later chatted to glamorous Taylor Swift