It was girls' night out at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, with women taking the top prize in every category -- except one -- that had a female nominee.

Katy Perry grabbed three Moonmen: Video of the Year for Firework, and another two shared with Kayne West for E.T. -- best collaboration and best special effects.

Lady Gaga, dressed in drag as her alter-ago Jo Calderone, accepted the Best Female Video and the Best Video with a Message awards for Born This Way.

Nicki Minaj took home the Best Hip-Hop Video trophy for Super Bass, and Britney Spears had a surprise best pop video nod for Till the World Ends.

Adele's Rolling in the Deep won the best directing, best cinematography, and best editing categories, but Adele herself won the hearts and minds (if there were any left to win) of audiences all over the world with her stirring, stripped-down performance of Someone Like You.

It doesn't matter if she wins or loses, wrote Roger Friedman of Showbiz411. She's already won. Her album has been number one for 33 weeks. You can't do better than that. She doesn't need MTV, the Marketing TV Network.

And of course, Amy Winehouse was there in spirit. Both Russell Brand and Bruno Mars paid tribute to the late singer, Brand with a speech and Bruno Mars with a cover of Valerie (which was originally recorded by the Zutons).

Mars capped off the performance with a protracted shout-out to Winehouse, concluding with we'll miss ya baby.

Amy Winehouse Tribute
Many of Amy Winehouse's friend from the music industry gathered together to pay tribute to her wonderful artistry. In this image, Bruno Mars (C) performs during a tribute for late singer Amy Winehouse at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011. Reuters
Katy Perry
Singer Katy Perry holds her three awards, Video of the Year for "Firework", Best Collaboration,and Best Special Effects which she won at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011 Reuters
Beyonce
Singer Beyonce places her hands on her belly as she poses at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011. Beyonce and husband, rapper Jay-Z, will welcome their first child next spring Reuters
Adele
Adele is finally releasing the music video for her hit single, "Someone Like You." REUTERS
Lady Gaga VMA
Singer Lady Gaga poses with her awards for Best Video with a Message and Best Female Video at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011 Reuters
Britney Spears Lady Gaga
Britney Spears (R) accepts the Video Vanguard award from presenter Lady Gaga at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011. Reuters
Nicki Minaj
Singer Nicki Minaj accepts the best hip hop video award for "Super Bass" at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, August 28, 2011 Reuters
Amy Winehouse Lady Gaga Britney spears Amy Winehouse