VMA chaos, as usual: Kanye upset, Jackson honored

AP, Sep 14, 2009 12:00 pm PDT

Taylor Swift was relishing her unlikely win of best female video at the MTV Video Music Awards. The 19-year-old knew that the network doesn't exactly make a habit out of giving their moonman trophies to country music stars.

"I was standing on the stage and I was really excited because I had just won the award," Swift said after Sunday's show at Radio City Music Hall. "And then I was really excited because Kanye West was on the stage. And then I wasn't so excited anymore after that."

Grabbing the microphone, the rapper protested Swift's selection and announced that Beyonce, also nominated, should have won because her "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was "one of the best videos of all time."

As he had numerous times before, West made sure an awards show spotlight shone on him.

A stunned Swift staggered and didn't get to finish her acceptance speech. The crowd booed West, who shortly after was asked to leave the show and left the building.

But Swift, who won for her video "You Belong With Me," got a chance to recapture her time in the spotlight. Toward the end of the evening, when Beyonce won video of the year for "Single Ladies," the pop star promptly invited Swift out on stage to properly "have her moment."

"They told me to stand by the side of the stage," Swift said. "I didn't really know what was going to go down, but I thought it was so wonderful and gracious of her to do what she's always done.

"I thought that I couldn't love Beyonce more and then tonight happened."

West later apologized on his blog to Swift, her fans and her mother.