Lady Gaga opened the 2011 VMAs dressed in full on Jo Calderone drag, her now infamous male alter ego, and incited a worldwide "WUTTT THE EFFFFF!!!!" VMA moment to remember with her performance of "Yoü And I." Gaga started her performance by walking out through the audience dressed in a plain white t-shirt and black men's slacks as she smoked a cigarette. Jo Calderone talked at length about getting in a fight with his (?) girlfriend, who we think is probably Lady Gaga. (But who knows?! I'm still breathing into a paper bag.)
Never breaking character or the fourth wall, Lady Gaga as Jo Calderone concluded her monologue by beginning "Yoü And I" on the piano in the middle of thes tage, and in no surprise to all the Little Monsters out there, she completely wailed on those keys in a super high-energy performance. As the song continued, Gaga... er, Jo picked up where the "Yoü And I" video left off by breaking out into a dance routine! Jo Calderone and about twenty "West Side Story"/Ralph-Macchio look-alikes danced through the middle of the song while Queen's famous "We Will Rock You" provided the beat.
Speaking of Queen (segues!), Brian May, Queen's legendary guitarist, joined Gaga on stage (!!!!!) as she made her way back to the piano. Brian rocked next to Gaga as she opened a beer (why not?), sprayed it on the audience, and climbed on top of the piano to finish out the song. Okay, now I'm gonna go rewind this performance 100 times.
+ Watch Lady Gaga's performance of "Yoü And I" at the 2011 VMAs.