2009 (8.97 million viewers 17% increase over 2008) - Gaga (and Bey) nominated for 9 VMAs. Gaga bled on stage and won Best New Artist.

2010 (11.4 million viewers, most viewers since 2002) - Gaga nominated for the most VMAs. Took home eight, wore the meat dress, and concluded the show with BTW reveal.

2011 (12.4 million viewers, highest of all time) - Gaga shows up as a man & opens show.

2012 (6.1 million viewers; down 50%) - Gaga does not attend.

2013 (10.1 million viewers; 66% increase) - Gaga opens the show again and debuts Applause.

UPDATE: 2014 - (8.2M; down 20%) - Gaga DID NOT attend.

Welp, that's 6 whole years worth of data, what do you guys think? Do some of you regret what you said last month?

Originally posted by Scuba_Dive Yes. Queen of the VMAs

Originally posted by Fenty The Great No, it's new day

This was the most recent show though. Explain.

I think Beyoncé controls those tbh.

Originally posted by Jezang Looz Rihanna/Adele/T.Swift could save it if they premiere/perform their new single. Or if Bey finally decides to perform there, too. Otherwise the ratings will go down.

Originally posted by Gasp 2011 was thanks to Britney, ha vanguard award.

Originally posted by Yooorsh Nah! Only the 2019.

Originally posted by MM3 Was that when she introduced Bey's performance? Yeah, that was ca-yute, I'm sure she brought in a couple of viewers.

Originally posted by DG1 I don't think so, the last time Rihanna opened the show; apart from being a mess of a performance, the ratings saw a decline as shown in the OP.

Originally posted by Gasp 2011 was thanks to Britney, ha vanguard award.

Originally posted by MetalHausOfJosh Yass! And people said she was fading. Yooorsh has just confirmed that she will still be relevant in 2019.