Emenim set to open Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards on sprawling white stage

Emenim set to open MTV Video Music Awards

LOS ANGELES — Eminem is not afraid to open the MTV Video Music Awards.

MTV general manager Stephen Friedman said Wednesday that the rapper, who’s nominated for eight trophies and continues to sit atop sales charts with “Recovery,” will open Sunday’s ceremony at the Nokia Theatre, which has been transformed with a sprawling white set reminiscent of the out-of-this-world Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport.

The enveloping stage design includes a giant rotating billboard, curvy catwalk, circular performance space and two massive video screens that will serve as curtains. VMA executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic said the space, created by German designer Florian Wieder, required about 2,000 orchestra seats to be removed from the theater.