Selena Gomez to Celebrity Host at MTV's 2011 Video Music Awards Pre-Show

MTV News announced today that platinum recording artist and Emmy Award-winning actress Selena Gomez will kick off the biggest night in music as the celebrity host for the "2011 VMA Pre-Show" on Sunday, August 28 at 8pm (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT.) Gomez will be reporting breaking news and interviewing her peers alongside MTV News correspondents Sway, Jim Cantiello and James Montgomery Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording artist Cobra Starship will perform their smash hit, "You Make Me Feel... (Featuring Sabi) " off their soon to be released new album NIGHT SHADES (out August 29th), LIVE during the VMA pre-show. Additionally, viewers will be fist-pumping as the "Jersey Shore" invades the VMA Black Carpet as an exclusive new season teaser airs.

"I am very excited to be a part of the 2011 VMA's! After all of my years watching the VMA's, the pre-show has always been one of my favorite parts. It is a true honor to be hosting from the black carpet this year" said Selena Gomez.

"We are so excited to be a part of the 2011 VMA's! I grew up watching them every year and it was an honor to be nominated two years ago and it is an even bigger honor to be able to play the pre-show this year. I will never forget when Pat Smear left the Foo Fighters live during the pre-show and I'm planning on having him replace me this year," said Ryland Blackinton, Cobra Starship

MTV News correspondents Sway, Jim Cantiello and James Montgomery will bring viewers behind the scenes action and news as they interview today's hottest stars from the most ambitious VMA carpet to date: a lobby of a downtown Los Angeles hotel that is transformed into musical time portal featuring a paparazzi photo arena as the centerpiece to all the pre-show madness.

In addition to his hosting duties, Jim Cantiello will watch over MTV News' Twitter Tracker, a dynamic visualization of the global VMA conversation on Twitter. Cantiello will weigh in on up-to-the-minute Twitter volume on VMA nominees, performers, presenters and attendees, tweet out photos from the paparazzi theatre to monitor the speed of their movement around the country and the world, and ask fans to use them to make fan art and send them back for him to show in the show and tweet about all the black carpet action @MTV.

Adding to the excitement of the evening, MTV News will bring audiences a first-look at the new Nicki Minaj video "Fly" featuring Rihanna. In addition, as a lead in to the "2011 MTV Video Music Awards" Pre-Show, viewers will watch an all-new episode of "Jersey Shore" at 7p.m. ET/PT Then during the live pre-show, viewers will watch the cast predicting who they think the VMA winners of the night will be.

As previously announced, Adele, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown and Young The Giant are confirmed to perform. Additionally, Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, and Odd Future are confirmed to present. The "2011 MTV Video Music Awards" will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT). MTV will announce additional performers and presenters on a later date.

Viewers can vote for all general VMA categories by visiting vma.mtv.com online or m.mtv.com on their mobile phone through August 16th. In addition, Best New Artist text voting is open to all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 66333. Voting for this category continues through the show, live on August 28th. Verizon subscribers can vote on all categories via SMS by texting VMA to 66333 (standard message rates apply.)

Dave Sirulnick and Ryan Kroft are Executive Producers for the "2011 MTV Video Music Awards Pre-Show." Jonathan Mussman is Executive in Charge. Steve Paley is Director. Whitney-Gayle Benta is Executive in Charge of Talent.

The 2011 "MTV Video Music Awards" will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.2 billion people via MTV's global network of more than 60 channels reaching more than 640 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming and content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's nearly 200 digital media properties around the world.

The 2010 VMAs averaged a 10.0 P12-34 rating and 11.4 million total viewers, marking the network's best deliveries for any MTV telecast since the 2002 VMAs (8/29/02) as well as making it the third most watched telecast in MTV's history.

To watch video of last year's biggest moments, get the full list of last year's show winners and can check out fashion, celebrity and music commentary from the shows' red carpets, please go to vma.mtv.com.

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the "2011 MTV Video Music Awards." Amy Doyle, Garrett English and Dave Sirulnick are Executive Producers. Jen Jones is co-Executive Producer. Joanna Bomberg is Executive in Charge of Music and Talent. Hamish Hamilton is Director. Wendy Plaut is Celebrity Talent Executive.

Official sponsors of the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards are 5(R) Gum, COVERGIRL, Dove(R) go fresh Deodorant, Kia Motors America, PacSun, Sharpie(R), State Farm(R), Taco Bell(R) and Verizon.