Katy Perry snags nine MTV video nominations

Flirtatious pop star Katy Perry seemed just as amazed as everyone else by the whopping nine nominations she received yesterday when the shortlist for the MTV's Video Music Awards (VMAs) were announced. She leads the pack, and her nominations include the big one – Video of the Year.

 "I have nine nominations!" she shouted on hearing the news. "Nine? I thought that was a typo or something! Oh my god, really? That's the most nominations I've ever gotten for anything."
 
Ever since Perry blazed onto the music scene with her provocative 'I Kissed a Girl' in 2008 – about trying a lesbian kiss and 'liking it' – the singer has entranced the press, recently coming second in FHM's list of the hundred sexiest women of 2011. Her engagement and subsequent marriage to British comedian and renowned lothario Russell Brand has helped maintain her high profile.
 
But could this string of nominations for one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in the industry help Perry finally gain recognition as an artist rather than a pin-up?
 
Should she win the Video of the Year, perhaps. Her song 'Fireworks' is up for the prize, but faces stiff competition from Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' as well as the Beastie Boys, Bruno Mars, and Tyler, The Creator.
 
Adele herself has enjoyed an incredible year and has received a total of seven VMA nominations, two behind Perry. It would be a major surprise if the English 23-year-old didn't take home a gong or two given that her album, '21', is currently the best selling album of 2011.

Rapper Kanye West joins Adele with seven nominations. ·