Initially , rapper Kanye West and Lady Gaga had plans to launch a joint tour in October 2009 , known as Fame Kills : Starring Kanye West and Lady Gaga . Amid negative response to his controversial outbursts at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards , West declared that he would take a hiatus from his music career . Nevertheless , the complete schedule for Fame Kills was released , with the tour set to begin on November 10 , 2009 , in Phoenix , Arizona . Shortly afterwards , the tour was officially cancelled without any explanation . Gaga addressed the situation at '' Billboard '' s annual Women in Music luncheon , where she cited creative differences as the reason for the tour 's cancellation . In an interview she stated , " Kanye is going to take a break , but the good news is , I am not . " After assuring the public that she would be embarking on her own tour , Gaga officially announced The Monster Ball Tour on October 15 , 2009 . It was originally planned to debut in London in early 2010 , but ended up kicking off on November 27 , 2009 , in Montreal . Rapper Kid Cudi and singer Jason Derülo were confirmed as the supporting acts for the tour , with Cudi supporting Gaga from the beginning of the tour , and Derülo joining from December 28 , 2009 . The official poster for the tour featured Gaga in Versace 676 sunglasses and wearing a gyroscope around her called " The Orbit " , which she first wore on the October 3 , 2009 , episode of '' Saturday Night Live '' . The contraption was designed by Nasir Mazhar in collaboration with Gaga 's own creative production company , Haus of Gaga . The tour 's sponsor of the American leg was Virgin Mobile USA , who introduced the " Free I.P. " program which offered free show tickets to fans who volunteered their time to homeless youth organizations
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
The Monster Ball Tour