Rihanna

R&B singer Rihanna and Justin Timberlake each took home two key awards at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards last night (Sept. 9) at Las Vegas' Palms Casino Resort. Rihanna won video of the year and monster single of the year for "Umbrella" featuring Jay-Z, while Timberlake won the first "Quadruple Threat" trophy and male artist of the year. Rihanna, who performed at the event, also won the monster single of the year prize for “Umbrella,” which stayed on top of the singles chart for ten weeks. She was nominated in five categories. Presented with the video of the year award by hip hop legend Dr Dre, Rihanna said the win was the "most important" of her career. Pop star Justin Timberlake also won two awards at the show: the quadruple threat of the year prize and male artist of the year. "I want to challenge MTV right now to play more videos," Timberlake said while accepting the "Quadruple Threat" trophy, and later hammered home the point by bashing the Jessica and Ashlee Simpson-themed reality shows for which the network is well-known. Two other Timberlake videos won technical awards: Samuel Bayer nabbed best director for "What Goes Around ... Comes Around" and Marty Kudelka won best choreography for "Let Me Talk to You/My Love." Beyonce took home the Earth-Shattering collaboration trophy for "Beautiful Liar," which features Shakira. Fall Out Boy won best group, while their proteges, Gym Class Heroes, won the fan-voted best new artist award. Fergie was named female artist of the year but was a surprising no-show to accept it. In what was supposed to be a dazzling start, Britney Spears opened the show with a lethargic version of her new song, "Gimme More," her maiden major public appearance in the run-up to the Nov. 13 release of her first Jive album in four years. After emerging from a coin-operated booth, Chris Brown showed off his impressive dance moves during "Wall to Wall," all while dressed in a Charlie Chaplin-like getup. Here are the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards winners: Monster single of the year: "Umbrella," Rihanna featuring Jay-ZQuadruple Threat award: Justin TimberlakeEarth-shattering collaboration: "Beautiful Liar," Beyonce featuring ShakiraMale artist of the year: Justin TimberlakeFemale artist of the year: FergieBest group: Fall Out BoyBest new artist: Gym Class HeroesVideo of the year: "Umbrella," Rihanna featuring Jay-ZBest editing: Ken Mowe for Gnarls Barkley's "Smiley Faces"Best director: Samuel Bayer for Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around ... Comes Around"Best choreography: Marty Kudelka for Justin Timberlake's "Let Me Talk to You/My Love"