August 25, 2006

Shakira, OK Go Announced As VMA Performers; 50 Cent, Axl, Kanye Join Presenters

By Corey Moss (MTV.com)

Shakira and OK Go are completely different acts with two big things in common.

One, their videos feature some of the most remarkable dancing in recent memory. And two, both are now performing at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.

The Colombian singer and Chicagoan rockers have been added to a list of performers that also includes Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Panic! at the Disco, T.I., the Killers, Ludacris with Pharrell, the All-American Rejects and the Raconteurs. The show will mark Shakira's third VMA performance and the first for OK Go, whose intricately choreographed, homemade videos for "A Million Ways" and "Here It Goes Again" have become Web phenomena.

Several new presenters were also announced Thursday (August 24), including 50, Axl Rose, Kanye West, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, LL Cool J and the Pussycat Dolls. Borat and Sarah Silverman will also make special guest appearances.

Previously announced presenters include Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Missy Elliott, Fall Out Boy, Rihanna, Busta Rhymes, Lil Jon, Amy Lee of Evanescence, Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars, the cast of Jackass: Number Two and professional snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White.

Jack Black is hosting the show, which will be broadcast live from New York's Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, August 31.