VMAs: Rihanna, One Direction have carpet off to a screaming start

The MTV Video Music Awards red carpet kicked off Thursday with some help from a lingering summer temperature -- and heat from superstar acts contending for a moon man trophy.

Heavily featured in network promos, boy band One Direction overwhelmed the crowd of screaming girls (that moment you realize the metal barricades are holding back ladies with homework due tomorrow).

The boys responded the only way they knew how: diving into a sea of cardboard signs to sign autographs and pose for photos.

Nominee Rihanna also made waves by showing off her slick new pixie cut and a bold floor-length white gown. Another pop diva following suit in a white, well, pantsuit?

Taylor Swift. Metallic heels and heavy bangs completed her look as she drifted into the arena for the big show.

Pink brought some glitter to her long-sleeve, body-hugging dress beside a very cleaned up Carey Hart in an all-black suit. Rappers Big Sean and Tyga rocked simple tees and chunky jewels, eclipsed soon by a rapidly punkish Miley Cyrus.

In a long, gothic Emilio Pucci creation, Cyrus displayed the latest incarnation of her short blond ‘do (reminiscent of Pink).

Stay tuned to the Ministry for more tidbits from the pre-show, but now what you’ve been waiting for -- the order of diva arrivals. It’s a treacherous, high stakes game that establishes pecking order. And here’s how it went down:

Rihanna was the first notable on carpet (well played, as the restless crowd was hungry for star power), followed by Pink, Miley Cryus, Taylor Swift, Emma Watson (shout-out to Hermione, she has no business arriving so late when her only purpose is to promote “Perks of Being A Wallflower,� but major points for gravitas).

Nicki Minaj had them all beat -- but Katy Perry didn’t think so. She was up last, high-fiving fans on the way in as they chanted her name.

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