Katy Perry: EMAs will be education (From The Argus)

Katy Perry: EMAs will be education

5:16pm Wednesday 4th November 2009

Katy Perry has said that hosting MTV's European Music Awards in Berlin is a chance to educate people about the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The 20th anniversary of the historic event is on November 9, and Russell Brand's beau said: "As much as it has to be funny, you also want to help educate my generation or the generation after me that might not know the importance of the unity of the Berlin Wall when coming down - how it really affected people's lives.

"It can't always be rock and roll and partying and liquor," Perry said. "You have to have a little meat on the bones."

Katy also said she would acknowledge Berlin's 1920's post-World War I reputation for hedonism and entertainment by donning costumes inspired by Liza Minnelli's performance in the 1972 film Cabaret, an homage to Weimar-era Germany and the decadence of Berlin.

U2 will play a special 20-minute set in front of the Brandenburg Gate - which lies on the line that formerly divided East and West Berlin - that will be beamed to the 02 World Arena where the award show is being held.

Leona Lewis and Foo Fighters will also perform at the Thursday evening awards, though Robbie Williams cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.

Grammy-winner Beyonce Knowles will perform "a very saucy set," too, said Richard Godfrey, the executive producer of this year's awards show.

Godfrey also said that American rapper Lil Kim and David Hasselhoff, the Baywatch star who's had several hits in Germany, will also be there to hand out awards.