NEW YORK (CNN) -- Even by the standards of the anything-goes MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West's hijacking of country-pop sweetheart Taylor Swift's speech at the Sunday night ceremony was particularly brutal. Kanye West takes the microphone from Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. The pre-show buzz had focused on the highly anticipated tribute to the late Michael Jackson, but West's disruption stole the spotlight. A giddy Swift was in the midst of her acceptance speech for Best Female Video when the often-mercurial West rushed onstage, grabbed her microphone and let loose an outburst on behalf of singer Beyonce Knowles, who had lost out in that category.
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Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift's acceptance speech, apologizes on blog
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Beyonce Knowles later gives Swift a chance to finish her remarks
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Madonna pays bittersweet tribute to the late Michael Jackson
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Janet Jackson dances in high-energy salute at Radio City Music Hall
Beyonce Knowles
Beyonce Knowles
But audiences who stayed tuned until the end of the broadcast were treated to a touching bookend: @placeholder, the night's top winner, invited Swift onstage and gave the teen singer her moment in the spotlight.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift
Swift
Taylor Swift
Swift
But audiences who stayed tuned until the end of the broadcast were treated to a touching bookend: Knowles, the night's top winner, invited @placeholder onstage and gave the teen singer her moment in the spotlight.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift
Swift
Taylor Swift
Swift
Speaking to reporters later, @placeholder was understated about her take on the disruption.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift
Swift
Taylor Swift
Swift
Soon after, an apology to @placeholder appeared on his blog:
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift
Swift
Taylor Swift
Swift
"I'm sooooo sorry to @placeholder and her fans and her mom," the message said in all caps.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
"When @placeholder was 6, he became a superstar and was perhaps the world's most beloved child.
Madonna
After @placeholder's tribute, an army of dancers re-created dance moves from several of Jackson's music videos.
Kanye West
Kanye West
West
West
Kanye West
But the much-publicized sneak peek was overshadowed by @placeholder's tantrum.
Beyonce Knowles
Beyonce Knowles
The cameras panned to a shocked @placeholder, while the audience booed and later chanted "Taylor."