What have Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Madonna got in common?

Apart from the being some of the biggest female stars in the music business, selling heaps of records, and having achieved true pop diva status, the trio have also hit the headlines for their show-stealing appearances at the MTV Video Music Awards.

While Kanye West and Eminem may have tried to steal the limelight, it has been left to the first ladies of pop to provide the truly memorable moments at the annual US event.

So let’s hear it for Taylor, Miley, Britney and the rest, and look back at some of their highlights.

1. Beyonce and her epic set (2014)

Beyonce with Jay Z and Blue Ivy
(Chris Pizzello/Invision)

Kitted out in a sparkly leotard, Queen Bey performed a medley of tracks from her self-titled album as she was honoured with the special VMA Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award.

She was almost upstaged by daughter Blue Ivy, however, who came up on stage with daddy Jay Z to present the award to her tearful mum.

Beyonce with her moonmen
(David Crotty)

2. Miley twerks, Taylor disses Harry Styles (2013)

Miley and Robin at the VMAs
(Charles Sykes/Invision)

This was the year of the twerk. Miley Cyrus stripped down to a nude bikini for her duet with Robin Thicke on his controversial hit Blurred Lines.

Waving a foam finger, the We Can’t Stop singer gave Robin his own personal twerk, making headlines around the world.

Taylor Swift
(Charles Sykes/Invision)

Taylor Swift also gets a mention for her acceptance speech after winning best female video, when she appeared to make a dig at ex Harry Styles about being the inspiration for her song.

Accepting the moonman for I Knew You Were Trouble, Taylor said: “I also want to thank the guy who inspired this song, who knows exactly who he is, cos now I got one of these (gestures to her trophy).”

The One Direction star was seen looking uncomfortable in the audience.

3. Rihanna and Katy Perry show they are besties (2012)

Rihanna and Katy Perry
(Mark J Terrill/Invision)

The chart-topping stars proved they were BFFs as they sat together and held hands at the ceremony in 2012.

Katy helped celebrate her pal’s success as Ri-Ri picked up the video of the year gong for We Found Love. Rihanna also impressed with her live performances, appearing on a golden throne for a version of Cockiness.

Riahnna at the VMAs
(Mark J Terrill/Invision)

4. Beyonce reveals her pregnancy (2011)

Beyonce at the MTV VMAs
(PA)

The former Destiny’s Child star was back in the spotlight as she revealed her pregnancy on the awards show.

“Tonight I want you to stand up on your feet, I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside of me,” she said as she introduced her performance of Love On Top, before cradling her growing tummy.

5. Lady Gaga wins eight moonmen and shows off her meat dress (2010)

Lady Gaga and Cher
(Matt Sayles/AP)

A big year for Lady Gaga as she dominated the awards, winning eight including video of the year.

She also took the prize for the most talked-about outfit of the year with her famous dress made from cuts of meat.

A tearful Gaga told the crowd: “I was so nervous tonight that I’d let my fans down,” before revealing the name of her new album and singing a snippet from the title track Born This Way.

6. Madonna snogs Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera (2003)

Madonna, Britney and Christina
(Julie Jacobson/AP)

In one of the classic moments of VMA history, the Queen of Pop was joined on stage by two young pretenders to her crown – Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Dressed as brides, Britney and Christina did their take on Like A Virgin, before “groom” Madonna emerged from a giant wedding cake to sing Hollywood. After some saucy dance moves, Madonna moved in for a snog with each of the pop princesses, before the trio were joined on stage by Missy Elliott.

Britney Spears snogs Madonna
(Julie Jacobson/AP)

7. Britney takes her snake to the show (2001)

Britney Spears and her snake
(Beth A Keiser/AP)

Britney grabbed the headlines in 2001, when she performed one of the VMAs more memorable collaborations.

As if arriving on stage in a cage with a big cat wasn’t enough, Britney went on to perform a raunchy belly dance-inspired routine that involved her wrapping a snake around her neck.