Asia's music star shine at MTV Asia Award

BANGKOK : Asia's biggest music stars showed off their finest Saturday at MTV's regional awards show, in a glitzy concert broadcast around the continent from the heart of Bangkok's commercial district.

Fans waited for as long as five hours to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities -- including the likes of "Mission Impossible 3" star Maggie Q -- parading along a red carpet entrance to the performance hall.

Grammy-winner and Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland hosted the show with Wang Leehom, who won for the best Taiwanese artist.

The two hosts sang after an explosive opening performance by nu metal band Korn, in an evening that mixed artists from different countries and styles.

Taiwan's pop queen Jolin Tsai, who won the style award, gave an acrobatic hip-hop performance of "Dancing Diva" with twirling gymnastics ribbons.

Bombshell diva Tata Young, who took best Thai artist, and former British boy bander Lee Ryan sang "Endless Love," while Wang Leehom sang a Chinese opera-inspired version of "Heroes on Earth."

Webbe, who belonged to Blue with Ryan, joined Thai group Thaitanium to perform "No Worries."

Rowland also debuted her new single "Gotsta Go" before a swooning crowd of 5,000 people in a packed house.

"It was more than I expected, and it was a lot of fun," Rowland said after the show, praising her co-host as full of "great energy."

The show was a smaller affair than last year's awards show, which came in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami and was transformed into a global aid concert for the recovery effort.

That didn't deter the screaming crowd.

"We love Vanness. He's smart and can dance so well. He's so sexy when he dances," squealed Rin Khaochot, 30, who came with a group of Vanness Wu fans wearing T-shirts with his name on them.

"The male artist I really want to win is Eminem. I love him so much, I wish he could be here," said Pomme Kessung, a 19-year-old Bangkok student who won a ticket to the show in a raffle.

Awards were handed out to international stars, as well as to the best artists from around Asia.

Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin was named favorite male artist, while Kelly Clarkson took best female artist.

Backstreet Boys won for favorite pop act, Green Day for best rockers, and Simon Webbe for best breakthough artist. Best video went to Korn for "Twisted Transistor."

In the Asian categories, Vicky Zhao won from mainland China, Twins from Hong Kong, Jai from India, and Peterpan from Indonesia.

Seven took the honor for South Korea, Mawi for Malaysia, Rivermaya for Philippines and Taufik Batisah for Singapore.

Wang Leehom won for Taiwan and Tata Young for Thailand. - AFP /dt