" Paparazzi " was performed at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards , which began with Gaga lying on the floor , on a set that was described as an ornate mansion . She stumbled across the stage and did choreographed dance moves , finally ending up playing a piano . The final chorus involved theatrical blood dripping from Gaga 's ribcage as Gaga collapsed on the stage wailing in agony and one of the dancers gently lifted her . Gaga then hung lifeless with one hand rising above her dancers and blood smeared on her face with a golden halo being projected on the screen behind her . Gaga dedicated the performance to her fans . Ashley Laderer from '' Billboard '' opined that " this was the performance that really made Lady Gaga . It proved she was more than just a superficial pop star — she was an artist , and quite unlike one we 'd ever seen before , a true force to be reckoned with . " The song was performed by Gaga in a similar choreography at the thirty-fifth season of NBC 's late night comedy show '' Saturday Night Live '' . It was also present on the set list of Gaga 's Monster Ball Tour ( 2009 – 2011 ) . On the original version of the show , she wore multiple donned braided extensions and was perched atop a railing . From each of her braids , a dancer was attached on the stage . A backdrop of stars were shown during the performance . During the revised Monster Ball shows , Gaga changed the concept and the performance of the song . She wore an emerald green dress by Thierry Mugler , and was attacked by a giant , mechanical Angler fish . Gaga then removed the dress to reveal a leotard of the same color and during the bridge she is lowered beneath the stage to acquire her pyro-technic bra . In the final chorus of the song Gaga returns and kills the monster with the sparks from the bra
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)