The 2012 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS Realize Teenage Dreams as Global Pop Star Katy Perry is First Performer Announced

2012 MMVAs Air Live on June 17

 - Returning to the MMVAs for a second time, Perry is the first artist to have five singles from one album reach #1 since Michael Jackson -

- Katy Perry: Part Of Me, a 3D feature film starring Perry releases July 5 -

-     Fuse to simulcast MMVAs across U.S., live from Much HQ in Toronto for third year -

To Tweet This Release: http://bit.ly/IBRUUW

TORONTO, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Calling all KatyCats! MuchMusic kicks off the biggest award show on the planet with a bang, as the inimitable Katy Perry is the first performer announced for the 2012 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS. The Billboard chart-topper and style icon hits the MMVA stage for a second time to blow minds with what is sure to be an explosive performance. Two years ago, Perry made a sweet arrival on the MMVA red carpet in an ice cream truck and dazzled fans with her Candyfornia-themed performance. There might not be ice cream again, but there will surely be screams for Katy!

 ** Media Note ** Download photos of Katy Perry at bellmediapr.ca/muchmusic. 

"What other award show shuts down major city blocks to bring thousands of fans at arms length to the biggest pop stars in the world?," said Sheila Sullivan, Executive Producer, 2012 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS. "We're thrilled to kick off this year's show with the announcement of one of today's most sought after artists, Katy Perry. Two years ago she brought Candyfornia to the MMVA stage. No doubt this year's performance will be out of this world!"

Fans can now mark their calendars, as MuchMusic also confirmed today that the 2012 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS airs live from Much HQ in Toronto Sunday, June 17 at 9 p.m. ET. Perry is the first performer confirmed for the party that has fans taking to the streets and lining up overnight for the chance to get Much closer to the hottest A-Listers in the world. Katy's new single, "Part Of Me" debuted in the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 on Feb. 22, making it the first in a year, and only the 20th in 53 years, to debut at #1. The single also debuted at #1 on iTunes, with over 400,000 downloads in its first week. A special edition of Katy's triple platinum album Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection, was released on March 26, and features three new songs.  Katy Perry: Part Of Me, the 3D feature film starring Perry releases July 5, and is a first-ever big-screen look at the international superstar's life both on and off-stage.

For the third year in a row, the MMVAs are simulcast live in the U.S. on Fuse, the national music television network of The Madison Square Garden Company.

Multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar, Katy Perry is arguably one of the most successful and hardest working entertainers in the world.  Since the 2008 release of "One of the Boys," Perry has topped the charts in more than 25 countries and has sold more than 50 million digital tracks and mobile products, as well as 10 million albums worldwide. Her hits include "I Kissed a Girl", "Hot N Cold", "Thinking Of You", "Waking Up in Vegas" as well as the record-breaking string of #1 hits, "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", "Firework", "E.T.", "Last Friday Night", and "The One That Got Away", all from the "Teenage Dream" album. Perry recently concluded her sold-out California Dreams Tour, playing 124 arena shows in Europe, Australasia, Asia, North America and South America.

Last year's MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS was the most-watched broadcast in MuchMusic history! More than one million viewers (1.05 million) watched from 9-11 p.m. At the street level, more than 10,000 fans descended on MuchMusic HQ to celebrate with an A-list group of stars, including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Colin Farrell, The Black Keys, Snoop Dogg, Avril Lavigne, as well as co-host Selena Gomez and scores of other artists and celebs performing, presenting, and accepting awards.

Follow the countdown to the MMVAs on muchmusic.com or on Twitter @MuchMusic to get the latest announcements on performers, presenters, celebrity guests, the chance to win big prizes, and updates on the all-important UR FAVE wildcard. Additional performer details, as well as a full list of nominees will be announced in the coming weeks.

Official sponsors of the 2012 MMVAs include: Coca-Cola Canada Ltd., Get a Load of Milk™, Procter & Gamble, BlackBerry®, SUBWAY® Restaurants, Virgin Mobile Canada, and H&M, designer of the official MMVAs wristband.

*Source: BBM Canada

Follow MuchMusic on Twitter: @MuchMusic

Follow Katy Perry on Twitter: @katyperry

About the MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS
MuchMusic gives fans the experience of a lifetime by putting them as close as humanly possible to their favourite artists and celebrities at the 2012 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS.  The show airs live on Sunday, June 17 at 9 p.m. ET with a star-packed Red Carpet special beforehand. Past MMVAS performers and presenters include: Adam Lambert, Drake, Ke$ha, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Down With Webster, The Black Eyed Peas, Nickelback, Rihanna, Jonas Brothers, Hedley, Kellan Lutz, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Nina Dobrev, Paris Hilton, Pauly D, Snooki, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Kanye West, Taylor Lautner, Brody Jenner, Ashley Greene Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Colin Farrell, The Black Keys, Snoop Dogg, Selena Gomez and many more.

At the MMVAs, the audience is the priority; Much gives them the best seats in the house, whether a foot from the stage or a foot from a television, computer, or mobile phone. Fans should hit up Much regularly at muchmusic.com or Twitter @MuchMusic for the most up-to-date info about the event of the year.

SOURCE MuchMusic

Image with caption: "Fans scream for ice cream and Katy Perry at THE 2010 MMVAs (CNW Group/MuchMusic)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120426_C9285_PHOTO_EN_12752.jpg