Head in a Box? Why Lady Gaga's VMA Performance Was Her Most Bizarre Yet

Lady Gaga's performance at the MTV Video Music Awards was typical Mother Monster behavior 

Lady Gaga's opening performance at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (August 25, 2013) was arguably one of her most bizarre ever. The songstress, who was promoting new single 'Applause,' began the show by wearing a white box on her head. 

Gaga fluttered her eyelashes as the camera squeezed in on a huge close-up, before making a series of bizarre facial expressions and belting out operatic notes.

From then on, the singer got pretty creative and underwent several costume changes. At one point during proceedings, the quirky singer stripped down to just a bikini made from seashells. 

Though Gaga's performance is likely to be one of the most talked about on Monday morning (see also Miley Cyrus) it was One Direction and Justin Timberlake's evening. The British boy band won Song of the Summer for their track 'Best Song Ever,' while Timberlake won the big one: Video of the Year for 'Mirrors.'

One Direction, now considered the biggest pop act in the world, had premiered their new documentary This Is Us in London's Leicester Square earlier in the week. Reports suggested some 80,000 fans packed into the city centre to catch a glimpse of their idols.

Timberlake was also honoured with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award - the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award. After receiving it from comedian Jimmy Fallon, the pop star told the audience in New York, "I don't deserve this award. But I'm not going to give it back."