Black Eyed Peas won for best international song for "I Gotta Feeling", but there was confusion over the award for best international group. Black Eyed Peas was identified as the winner of that award during the ceremony, but it was later confirmed that in fact Tokio Hotel was the victor in that category.

Rihanna performed at the ceremony and received the award for best international female. U.K. pop singer Robbie Williams performed at the show and collected the honor for best international male.

Other performers included Black Eyed Peas, Michael Buble, Jay-Z, Mika, and David Guetta and Kelly Rowland. Beyonce and Williams both received special awards on the night.

Domestic winners included French dance artist Christophe Willem (best French male and album) and the cast of the musical "Mozart l'Opera Rock," who won best French group, best song and the breakthrough award for singer Florent Mothe.