Belles of the MTV ball: Miley, Taylor, Katy

Edgy in black Emilio Pucci, Miley Cyrus proved she had laid her teen queen ghost to rest as she walked the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet in a platinum cropped hairdo more Pink than Hannah Montana.

Country singer Taylor Swift is also bidding farewell to her sweet as sugar candy image. She picked a white J. Mendel pant-suit rather than a dress for the awards.

Katy Perry's electro pop-couture punk style remained unchanged in a faintly Gothic corseted Elie Saab dress.

Coming up: The new look Miley Cyrus

Singer Miley Cyrus shocked her fans when she posted a picture of her new haircut on Twitter. The singer-actress uploaded images of her new platinum blonde pixie style, cropped close to her head on one side and tweeted, "self love is the greatest of all flatterers".

Not everyone was thrilled with Miley's new look and the disappearance of her tumbling locks. To her critics she said: "If you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all. My hair is attached to my head no one else's and it's going bye bye"

Ahead: Miley's pant-less look at Billboard Music Awards

Miley Cyrus shed every last vestige of erstwhile alter-ego Hannah Montana in a bosom-baring jacket-dress by Jean Paul Gaultier. She accessorized with bedhead hair and endless legs.

Country singer Taylor Swift was stunning in red Elie Saab with a lace bodice and smoky eye makeup.

Newly single Katy Perry chose holograph print mauve dress with matching purple highlights in her hair, pale skin and dark red lips.

Rock of Ages actress Julianne Hough glittered in a Kaufman Franco dress worn with Nicholas Kirkwood shoes.

Alicia Keys was edgy in black Azzedine Alaia. She presented the Billboard Icon Award to Stevie Wonder and she also performed with him.

Country star Carrie Underwood was princess-like in a frothy prom-style Oscar de la Renta gown.

Nelly Furtado was a study in contrasts in white Alberta Ferretti and a peep of black underpinnings.

Justin Bieber, who bagged Top Social Artist, on the red carpet.

True Blue: Usher was bright in his aqua blue blazer.

The show was hosted by Modern Family stars Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen.