Is There a VMAs Love Curse?

Looking back at the romance track records of Miley & Liam, Robin & Paula and these other couples, all signs point to yes
By Laura Franco
Updated August 09, 2014 11:00 AM

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MILEY CYRUS & LIAM HEMSWORTH

Credit: Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP

Cyrus got tongues wagging at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards – just not her fiancé's. Although Hemsworth was noticeably absent for her booty-shaking performance to "We Can't Stop" – in which she was joined by Robin Thicke for a pop medley – Hemsworth reportedly didn't give her foam finger the thumbs-up. Ultimately, they just couldn't twerk it out: Less than one month later, the couple announced plans to end their engagement.

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ROBIN THICKE & PAULA PATTON

Credit: John Shearer/Invision/AP

"You guys killed it," Patton told Cyrus's co-twerker after their racy performance. Her approval was short-lived, however, and Thicke was officially a single man by February, after nine years of marriage. As the 2014 VMAs approach, Thicke's still trying to get her back.

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KATY PERRY & RUSSELL BRAND

Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty; Michael Loccisano/Getty

The singer reportedly found herself love-struck when she met the British comedian at the 2008 show (which she attended with then-beau Travie McCoy). By New Year's Eve 2009 the stars were engaged, then married in India 10 months later, leading Perry to Tweet, "I luv the VMA's, u never know what u'll get from em! I got a hubby." But happiness was short-lived: On New Year's Eve 2011, Brand texted Perry to break up with her.

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MICHAEL JACKSON & LISA MARIE PRESLEY

Credit: Mark Cardwell/Landov (2)

It was a kiss for the ages: During their first public appearance together, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jackson shared a surprise on-stage lip-lock in September 1994, just months after their secret Dominican Republic wedding. Afterward, Jackson coyly turned to the crowd and said, "And just think, nobody thought this would last." It didn't: Two years after the couple's awkward televised smooch, they ended their marriage.

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BRITNEY SPEARS & JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Fans went crazy when pop music's reigning prince and princess, Timberlake and Spears, went public during the September 2000 VMAs, confirming months of speculation surrounding their relationship. But the love didn't last forever: The pop pair split in 2002 and, later that same year, Timberlake came out with "Cry Me a River," widely speculated to be a dig against his ex for her cheating heart.

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PAMELA ANDERSON & KID ROCK

Credit: Landov; Getty (2)

Talk about a love triangle! At the September 2007 festivities, the competition for the buxom blonde's affections led to a brawl between Anderson's ex-husband Tommy Lee and then-beau Kid Rock. "I told him very honestly and very clearly. I said, 'I won,'" Kid Rock – who was later charged with a misdemeanor for assault – told MuchMusic. Neither guy really won, though: The next month, Anderson married film producer Rick Salomon (but later split with him, too).

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TAYLOR SWIFT & JOE JONAS

Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The rising stars set hearts aflutter when they attended the September 2008 ceremony together – only to call it quits a month later. The country songstress was reportedly dumped on a 27-second phone call from Jonas, and then, of course, was inspired to pen one of her many post-breakup hits, this one called "Forever and Always."

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ASHLEE SIMPSON & PETE WENTZ

Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

The then-newlyweds beamed with baby love as Simpson put her growing belly on full display during the September 2008 ceremony – then welcomed son Bronx two months later. They divorced in February 2011, though remain committed to co-parenting their growing little guy.

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RIHANNA & CHRIS BROWN

Public opinion be damned, the on-again, off-again pair raised eyebrows when they shared a smooch at the September 2012 show after Rihanna won the video of the year award for "We Found Love." They later appeared cozy at the 2013 Grammys, but their current status? Splitsville.

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By Laura Franco