<p> <em>To get ready for the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center Sunday night, we're going to look at the nominees in some of the top categories.</em></p> 
<p> The "Artist to Watch" category probably won't be too close, but you never know. Voting in this category doesn't close until it is awarded Sunday night, so feel free to support your fave <a href="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2013/artist-to-watch/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> 
<p> (App users, watch the videos at <a href="http://newsday.com/backstagepass" target="_blank">newsday.com/backstagepass</a>.)</p> 
<p> <iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ktBMxkLUIwY" width="480"></iframe></p> 
<p> <iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IxxstCcJlsc" width="480"></iframe></p> 
<p> <iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2PEG82Udb90" width="480"></iframe></p> 
<p> <iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hXw9glhWR2Y" width="480"></iframe></p> 
<p> (Watch the uncensored version of <strong>The Weeknd</strong>'s "Wicked Games" <a href="http://youtu.be/O1OTWCd40bc" target="_blank">here</a>. Warning: There's swearing.)</p> 
<p> <iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xlAStGQyYYc" width="480"></iframe></p> 
<p> <strong>WILL WIN:</strong> <strong>Austin Mahone.</strong> The 17-year-old heartthrob is well on his way to becoming the next Justin Bieber and his video for “What About Love” has set so many teenage girls’ hearts a-flutter and their fingers a-voting.</p> 
<p> <strong>SHOULD WIN:</strong> <strong>Zedd</strong><strong>.</strong> The 23-year-old German producer is the real deal, as his high-energy live show proves and his famous fan (and new collaborator) Lady Gaga will attest. His song “Clarity” shows that dance songs can be lyrically complex and still keep the beat.</p>

To get ready for the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center Sunday night, we're going to look at the nominees in some of the top categories. The "Artist to Watch" category probably won't be too close, but you never know. Voting in this category doesn't close until it is awarded Sunday night, so feel free to support your fave here. (App users, watch the videos at newsday.com/backstagepass.) (Watch the uncensored version of The Weeknd's "Wicked Games" here. Warning: There's swearing.) WILL WIN: Austin Mahone. The 17-year-old heartthrob is well on his way to becoming the next Justin Bieber and his video for “What About Love” has set so many teenage girls’ hearts a-flutter and their fingers a-voting. SHOULD WIN: Zedd. The 23-year-old German producer is the real deal, as his high-energy live show proves and his famous fan (and new collaborator) Lady Gaga will attest. His song “Clarity” shows that dance songs can be lyrically complex and still keep the beat.

Entertainment

Music

MTV VMAs predictions: Artist to watch

Newsday

*austin mahone vmas pg

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

One LI college's gym was a hotbed for some of the rock's biggest names.

By the time they got to Woodstock, these legendary rock acts had already played LI gigs

The rapper took part in a new venture from a culture-oriented hospitality group.

Here's what happened when Wyclef Jean 'took over' Gurney's in Montauk

Combs' prison release is moved up once again

The viewing party celebrates the Discovery channel special featuring Montauk shark expert Craig O'Connell.

'Sharkzilla Takes New York' viewing party to be held in Montauk

On its Instagram page, Kinetic Content, the program's production company, says it is looking for applicants who are "brave, open-minded, and ready for a committed relationship."

'Love is Blind' looking for singles in search of love

Three years after season 3 ended, the soccer-themed series heads off in a new direction for season 4.

'Ted Lasso': 6 burning questions about the new season

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

Here's how these Long Island content creators use TikTok to build their careers.

Meet the Long Islanders making it big on TikTok

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

The Grammy winner shares stories about her show at Sag Harbor, Clive Davis and more.

Melissa Manchester talks about 'Cagney,' Clive Davis, performing on LI, more

"Valley of the Dolls" and "St. Elmo's Fire" were bad, but their songs were music to our ears.

Remember these great songs from not so great movies?

Mayor Mamdani said she paid the city for "the event and the response to the event."

Taylor Swift paid $160G in city permit bill for wedding

Jim Steinman wrote the song for Bonnie Tyler, who never tired of singing it.

'Total Eclipse' got its heart from a Long Islander

A new musical about the country superstar will open Jan. 19, her 81st birthday.

Well, hello 'Dolly'! Parton show headed to Broadway

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Experts say the snowy winter could be a driving force in the increase in Long Island's tick and firefly population. NewdsayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen reports.

How snowy winter could lead to summer surge of ticks, fireflies

Newsday food writer Melissa Azofeifa tried several dishes on from the social media menu at Island Lake Diner in Ronkonkoma.

Trying the social media menu at Island Lake Diner

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland and Joye Brown take a look back at the summer of 2008 and the "Montauk Monster."

Picture This: That time a 'monster' washed ashore in Montauk

Two people, clad in black masks, banged on the door of Rex A. Heuermann's Massapequa Park home Tuesday night.

2 shown on Ring camera banging on door of Rex A. Heuermann's home

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa stops by Smokin' Al's in Massapequa to try their oversized nachos, known as Macho Nachos.

Trendy Bites: 'Macho Nachos' at Smokin' Al's

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visited Mokafé's newest location, which is next to the Hicksville LIRR station.

Mokafé brings Yemeni coffee to Hicksville

Fake listings, bogus fees and stolen data target renters squeezed by Long Island's high housing costs. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Rental scams prey on LI apartment hunters

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa learns the 'high pressure' job of an engineer at National Grid's materials testing lab in Melville.

LI Works: Under pressure with Ken at National Grid

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits three restaurants where dining al fresco is the way to go.

Out East: Restaurants with great outdoor spaces

A pop-up at Robert Moses State Park called "Shark Shack" teaches about marine life and shark safety.

Shark Shack at Robert Moses State Park tells you what to do when you meet a shark

Sitewide Video Playlist

A 2023 Farmingdale High School crash led to New York mandating seat belts in charter buses, but enforcement remains challenging. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'This law is difficult to enforce'

Suffolk created a street takeover task force in 2024 that has broken up more than 100 incidents in the county.

What local police departments do to combat the problem

Ring camera footage appears to show Riverhad Town GOP official leaving the scene after she allegedly struck multiple parked cars and continued driving.

Caught on camera: Riverhead GOP official allegedly hits parked cars

Suffolk police are seeking the person who set fire to a 2014 International truck at Consolidated Bulk Carriers Inc. on Windsor Place in Central Islip.

Watch as truck goes up in flames

After discussions with the Southold Town's public safety task force, calls intensify to adopt guidelines for responding to immigration raids. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

'Make sure that these people say who they are'

The plane was built more than 100 years ago at the Curtiss aircraft factory in Garden City. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'There's only three in the country'

The settlement agreement was on the verge of collapse after disagreements between Thomas' mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, and Suffolk and the other defendants in the case. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Judge approves $9M settlement

Suffolk police charged three people following a street takeover involving at least 200 ATV's, dirtbikes and motorcycles that began in Hauppauge.

Street takeover prompts police response

'Kids love this stuff'

Seth Kurpiel, who suffered a broken neck in 2025, reconnected with the medical professionals who helped him get back on his feet. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.

'The impossible is possible'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Music - megaslot

Long Island concerts from Jones Beach to the UBS Arena, plus Long Island bands playing the local music scene.

MTV VMAs predictions: Artist to watch

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.