Rihanna showed off her new pixie crop at the MTV VMAs last night (06.09.12).

The 24-year-old singer debuted a Brand New short hairstyle at the star-studded 28th annual Video Music Awards ceremony and rocked the red carpet in an elegant floor-length white backless gown.

The sexy star kicked off the evening at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with a live performance, belting out her new single 'Cockiness (Love It)'' with A$AP Rocky before launching into 'We Found Love' with Calvin Harris.

Rihanna was the most nominated artist along with rapper Drake, who were tied with five nominations.

The Bajan beauty scooped up a prestigious Moonman award for Video of the Year for 'We Found Love'.

The singer played it safe in The Fashion stakes, donning a long flowing red dress for her performance after her set was dubbed too raunchy last year.

One Direction were the biggest winners at the hotly-anticipated awards, beating off stiff competition from Carly Rae Jepsen to be crowned Best New Artist. Their Number 1 hit 'What Makes You Beautiful' was also named Best Pop Video.

Highlights of the evening included live performances from country queen Taylor Swift who sang her new single 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' live for the first time and Pink, who flew in on a trapeze as she warbled along to 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)'.