Los Angeles , California ( CNN ) -- An unscripted , shocking moment during last year 's MTV Video Music awards dominated Sunday night 's show , with Kanye West and Taylor Swift putting their feelings to music . Taylor Swift sang a ballad of forgiveness for West -- the rapper who interrupted her acceptance speech at last year 's show , while West 's song seemed to acknowledge his reputation as a jerk . `` Who you are is not what you did , '' Swift sang . `` You 're still an innocent . '' `` Let 's have a toast for the scumbags , '' West sang in his hook . Other lines were unprintable because of graphic language . Swift , who has built a career writing songs about men who have done her wrong , penned her song -- `` Innocent '' -- earlier this year `` about her feelings about last year 's VMAs , '' her representative told CNN . There was no immediate information from West 's representative about his song , which ended the show . West also was the target of jokes from show host Chelsea Handler . She lampooned by West by giving tips on how to fend off people stealing a spotlight . Another celeb made fun of her own bad behavior early in the show . Lindsay Lohan , fresh out of jail and rehab , appeared in a backstage skit with Handler , who was wearing an alcohol-detection bracelet like the one Lohan recently wore . `` Wake up , Handler , pull it together , '' Lohan said as she slammed Handler against a wall . `` You 're a menace . Do you think anyone will work with a drunk ? Take it from me , they do n't . '' Handler made her first stage entrance wearing a model of a house on her head , a joke aimed at Lady Gaga , who is known for creative and often bulky costumes . Gaga won two awards early in the show -- including for best female video and best pop video . Each time she struggled to reach the stage because of her dress , which she explained was `` too heavy to walk in . '' Eminem , who opened the show in a duet with Rihanna , won for best male video and best pop video . The rapper did n't come on stage to accept because he had already left the building to catch a plane to New York . `` Jersey Shore '' cast members provided humor from a hot tub . Handler jumped in the jacuzzi with the four , including Snooki and the Situation . Teen singing sensation Justin Bieber took the stage outside of the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles during the first hour . Usher followed with a song on the main stage . Linkin Park , Drake , Paramore , B.o.B , Florence + The Machine also were on the list of performers . Last year 's show is remembered mostly for what was not planned . West , who walked the red carpet with a bottle of cognac in his hand , jumped on stage after Swift was announced the winner over Beyonce in one category . `` Taylor , I 'm really happy for you , and I 'm gon na let you finish , but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time , '' he said , snatching the microphone from Swift after she had won her award . Swift stood onstage , speechless , clutching her award . The cameras panned to a shocked Beyonce , while the audience booed and later chanted `` Taylor . '' Though Beyonce later afforded the teen singer another opportunity to finish her speech , the West backlash had begun . It cost him his spot on a concert tour with Lady Gaga .
Taylor Swift sings forgiveness for Kanye West . Swift wrote the song about her feelings toward West . Kanye West is set to perform at this year 's VMA show . West suffered backlash for his antics at last year 's show .