THE RETURN OF GAGA: The 2011 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS Are Back June 19 with Lady Gaga Announced as First Blockbuster Performer

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- Queen of Pop, Lady Gaga triumphantly returns to take over MuchMusic HQ in Toronto -

- Fuse to simulcast show across U.S., live from MuchMusic HQ in Toronto -

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TORONTO, April 7 /PRNewswire/ - As if flaming bras weren't enough, Lady Gaga returns to give fans much more than they bargained for at the biggest awards show on the planet - the 2011 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS! Two years after her exploding, show-stopping performance, the hottest entertainer in the world craves a return to the MMVAs stage to show her fans why she was Born This Way. She's covered herself in raw meat, Kermit the Frog toys, and arrived on a red carpet in an egg - what will she do at the MMVAs?

Fans can now mark their calendars, as MuchMusic confirmed today the show airs live from the MuchMusic HQ in Toronto on Sunday, June 19 at 9 p.m. ET. Gaga, whose third studio album, Born This Way, hits stores on May 23, is the first performer confirmed for the party that has fans taking to the streets and lining up overnight for the chance to get arms-length away from the hottest A-Listers in the world. For the second year in a row, the MMVAs are simulcast live in the U.S. on Fuse, Madison Square Garden's national music television network.

** Media Note ** Download photos of Lady Gaga at bellmediapr.ca/muchmusic and to watch the MMVA sizzle reel click here.

Last year, millions of fans watched as co-host Miley Cyrus ripped up the stage at the legendary corner of Queen and John; Katy Perry made a sweet arrival on the Red Carpet in an ice cream truck; Toronto's own Drake lit up the stage in front of a hometown crowd; and thousands upon thousands of girls screamed for Justin Bieber's MMVAs debut. When the final note was sung, the 2010 MMVAs had a cumulative average audience of 2.1 million viewers in the first 24 hours, and ultimately an incredible Reach of 6.2 million viewers within the first seven days.*

"Canada's MMVAs have always been known for being the loudest live street party of the year," said Sheila Sullivan, Executive Producer, 2011 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS. "What better way to kick off this year's show than by announcing that THE world's hottest entertainer is returning to our stage. Who can forget Lady Gaga's flaming bra from 2009? She is proof that at the MMVAs, anything and everything can happen!" 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 and many more.

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 how to vote in the all-important UR FAVE categories. Fans can also stay tuned for the full list of nominees, which is slated to be announced in May.

Official sponsors of the 2011 MMVAs include: Coca-Cola Canada, Get a Load of Milk™, Playtex® Sport®, Procter & Gamble, RIM, Rolo®, STRIDE, Virgin Mobile Canada™, and H&M, designer of the official MMVAs wristband.

*Source: BBM Canada

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 2011 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS. The show airs live on Sunday, June 19 at 9 p.m. ET with a star-packed Red Carpet special beforehand. Past years have seen kick-ass performances and appearances by 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, 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