MuchMusic wrangler Kathleen Newman-Bremang knows what it takes to be in charge of the busiest people at the MMVAs.  Wrangler’s must know where and when MMVA guests have to be at all times, act as their shadow and their guide to the MMVAs, and ensure their guest has a great time.  Oh, and they’re doing it all during a live show.  I need to lie down now. 

Kathleen has been wrangling MMVA talent for years, from Brody Jenner to Chris Bosh to the Jonas Brothers.  Most recently, she took on the role of being the sole wrangler for the 2013 MMVA co-host PSY, and Kathleen is again stepping up wrangle this year’s co-hosts, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. 

We chatted with Kathleen to get the behind the scenes scoop on the world of wrangling and what she’s looking forward to the most this year. 

What are the big rules of wrangling? 

The big rules of wrangling: know where you are going, know where your talent is at all times, be organized, be nice, but assertive and ALWAYS BE ON TIME.  Also, clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose. 

What’s the main different between wrangling a guest and wrangling the co-hosts? 

The main difference is that the co-host has a lot more to do.  The co-hosts are usually there for rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday.  They have to do script run-throughs and camera tests while guests show up just for the main show on Sunday.  As a wrangler, you spend more time with the co-hosts making sure they stay on schedule. 

What was it like wrangling 2013 MMVA co-host PSY? 

Psy was hosting and performing, so it was really challenging.  A lot of running around, making sure his entourage and dancers were where they needed to be and making sure Psy had his script and was on time for everything.  Being punctual was the most difficult part because Psy is basically the “Mariah Carey” of Korea, meaning he is a little bit of a diva (in a good way!)  and is used to doing things on his own time.  The MMVAs don’t work like that.  We have a very strict schedule. 

It took a lot of coaxing, but thankfully he made all of his cues and the show went smoothly.  After his very last performance, we got to his greenroom and he gave me a huge hug and said, in perfect English, “I know you worked hard this weekend.  Thank you!”  It was a nice calm moment after a pretty hectic weekend.  Plus, he hugs like a teddy bear! 

What does your schedule look like for this weekend? 

My weekend will be pretty full with rehearsals and camera tests for Kendall and Kylie Jenner.  I’ll be with them and their team backstage making sure they have everything they need and I’ll be coordinating with the show producers and director to make sure Kendall and Kylie know their cues and get everywhere they need to be on time. 

What are you most looking forward to while wrangling Kendall and Kylie? 

I’m really excited to see what they will be wearing.  Their outfits are always on point! 

What is your most memorable MMVA moment? 

I have so many but my ultimate favourite MMVA moment is probably from 2010.  Our offices were in a small building very close to the parking lot where all the performers rehearsed, so we could hear every performance.  Every time Miley Cyrus rehearsed Party in the USA we would leave our desks and run to the stage.  Dancing to Party in the USA with my co-workers/ best friends in the parking lot is definitely one of my fave moments.  I also love watching the dress rehearsals on the Friday and Saturday nights before the show.  We got to see Lady Gaga rehearse her now infamous flaming bra routine in 2009 before anyone else saw it.  We knew it was going to be something no one would forget. 

Back in 2009, the MMVAs made a big leap that saw Much VJs get some very famous help with their hosting duties.  From Disney stars to party rockers to a man who has the biggest viral video of all time, the MMVAs kicked off the trend of celebrity co-hosts in a very big way. 

Let’s have a look at the history of the MMVA celebrity co-hosts and find out where they are now! 

The Jonas Brothers (2009)

Then: For the first celebrity hosts of the MMVAs we went with triple the celebrity power.  The Jonas Brothers brought the screaming girls, but remember, this was 2009, the first time all the grown boys and girls realized the Jo Bros were also all grown up (insert giggity here). 

Now: The group shocked the world when they announced their break up in 2013.  Well, they’re breaking up as much as three people who are related can break up.  Kevin and Joe Jonas have recently announced they will be venturing out on an intimate talk tour, which will include stories from the guys’ time together as a band and with Disney.  Nick is staying busy shooting the new TV show Navy Street, where he plays a MMA fighter. 

Miley Cyrus (2010)

Then: Cyrus was just beginning to shed her Hannah Montana image when she accepted her gig as the 2010 MMVA co-host and proceeded to completely shatter any memories of her young Disney character.  Cyrus hit the ‘child star transitioning into adulthood’ ground running and showed that she was not one to be tamed.  Her then-fiance Liam Hemsworth was often spotted outside the Much building during Miley’s rehearsals, taking time to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. 

Now: A single Miley has completely reinvented herself as a bona fide pop star and the wild child of the music industry.  Her Bangerz album has been one of the most inventive records to be released in recent years and she’s been raising eyebrows and delighting fans with her tour, though it’s temporarily been put on hold while Cyrus combats a nasty allergic reaction. 

Selena Gomez (2011)

Then: Back in 2011, Gomez was making the transition out of her Disney series Sonny With A Chance with her first mainstream adult role in Monte Carlo.  The young starlet performed her hit single Who Says and played coy on stage when presenting an award to her rumoured boyfriend, Justin Bieber. 

Now: We’re still not really sure whether Bieber is just a rumoured boyfriend, since the pair have been on again/off again since 2011.  Gomez released another disc, Stars Dance, and hit a rocky period at the beginning of this year when she entered rehab for exhaustion.  Gomez seems to be preparing to re-enter the music industry, having posted videos of her singing on her Instagram account in the past few days. 

LMFAO (2012)

Then: Most people were pretty shocked when we announced that party rockers LMFAO would be taking on co-hosting duties at the 2012 MMVAs.  Heck, even a few of us at Much weren’t sure if the zebra-print-loving singers were up to the task!  LMFAO proved they were the hostess with the mostess and more when they hit the stage in June 2012, killing their hilarious opening skit and keeping the jokes and the party vibe going throughout the show. 

Now: Like the Jonas Brothers, LMFAO are another family band that seem to have reached their end.  The nephew/uncle duo announced they were taking a break in 2012 and have yet to reconcile, with both Sky Blu and Red Foo releasing music on their own.  Sky Blue performed at the first ever Big Jingle in 2012 and Red Foo was most recently seen as a guest judge on this season of Dancing With The Stars. 

PSY (2013)

Then: Singer/rapper PSY had made a name for himself as one of the biggest pop stars in his home country of South Korea, but few outside the country had heard of the singer before his breakout single Gangnam Style.  The song, and it’s accompaning hilarious and irreverent video, became the most viewed video on YouTube of all time.  Performing Gangnam Style and Gentleman at the 2013 MMVAs, PSY quickly proved that he wasn’t just big in South Korea anymore. 

Now:It’s rumoured that the K-Pop star will be released his follow-up to Gangnam Style sometime this year. 

]]>http://mmva14.muchmusic.com/where-are-they-now-mmva-host-edition-2/feed/0Check out a playlist inspired by the hosts of the MMVAshttp://mmva14.muchmusic.com/check-out-a-playlist-inspired-by-the-hosts-of-the-mmvas/
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The Jonas Brothers
The Jo Bro trio became the first celebs to co-host the annual awards show back in 2009. 

Demi Lovato
Former MMVA co-host Nick Jonas has been touring with long-time friend and fellow MMVA performer Demi Lovato on her Neon Lights tour this year. 

Joe Jonas
While on hiatus from The Jonas Brothers, Joe Jonas released his first solo album Fastlife, which included the sexy single Just In Love. 

Miley Cyrus
Cyrus took on co-hosting duties back in 2010 and showed the world that Hanna Montana would not be tamed. 

Mike Will Made-It
Former MMVA co-host Miley Cyrus proved she could hang with the boys when she supplied the chorus for Mike Will Made-It’s 23. 

Icona Pop
After announcing that she would be taking her Bangerz album on tour, 2010 MMVA co-host Miley Cyrus announced that Swedish duo Icona Pop would act as her tour openers. 

Selena Gomez
The former Disney starlet took on MMVA co-hosting duties back in 2011. 

Taylor Swift
Gomez’s bestie, Taylor Swift, made her first appearance at the MMVAs in 2013 as a presenter. 

Justin Bieber
It’s pretty difficult to talk about Gomez’s history with the MMVAs without discussing Justin Bieber.  The pair both attended the 2011 and 2012 MMVAs. 

LMFAO
It’s difficult to believe that the insuperable duo are now separated, so let’s remember their happier, party-rocking days. 

Back when they were still LMFAO, the party-rockers teamed up with Natalia Kills for their track Champagne Showers. 

5.  Oversized Psy
The Gangman Style star proved to take his hosting gig seriously, ending the night and his second performance with a two story blow-up doll made to look like PSY. 

4.  Red Couple Carpets
From Chavril to Tyler Hoechlin and Brittany Snow the now-defunct Big Sean and Naya Rivera, last year’s MMVA red carpet was the place to be to see some of the biggest couples of the year. 

3.  I See London, I See France
First the Janoskian’s showed us their boxers, then Marianas Trench performed in their tighty whities.  People looooove getting naked at the MMVAs. 

2.  All the feels of the side stage
Ed Sheeran kicked off all the feels with his solo performance of Lego House on the side stage and the emotional hits just kept coming.  Serena Ryder was up next to perform What I Wouldn’t Do, with Philip Philips getting the guitar passed on to play Home.  Someone get me a box of Timbits to cry over. 

1.  The arrival of T-Swizzle
We knew that if we waited long enough, prayed hard enough, and sent enough annoying fan letters, we would finally get Taylor Swift to the MMVAs.  Dreams do come true.