[artist id="3061469"]Lady Gaga[/artist] is already a VMA icon. Since she first made her VMA debut in 2009, she has become a force to be reckoned with. She annually makes headlines for her fierce sense of style, her fierce sense of self and the fact that she's always willing to do the unexpected. That combination has made her a fan favorite. And, she said those qualities are an extension of her as a celebrity.

"I think something that's always been very important to me ... is that the fame as an art form has always been an interesting stage," she told MTV News during [article id="1669342"]"MTV First: Lady Gaga."[/article] "It begins on the subway or in the car on the way here. It begins when I wake up in the morning and I take a shower. It's not something that is temporal. It has no end, so I'm excited to continue as an artist to push the boundaries of where pop music can exist."

2009

Arrival: She hit the carpet at Radio City Music Hall in New York City wearing a designer neck brace, but it was her date, the beloved [article id="1621382"]Kermit the Frog[/article], that really made headlines.

Outfits: [article id="1621407"]Four[/article] in the main part of the show, which included her red-carpet Victorian-style gown, her white and blood-smeared performance bra and underwear, a red lace Alexander McQueen dress/mask/top hat combo and a sparkly white dress and wreath hat.

Nominations: She tied pal Beyoncé with nine nods, including Video of the Year and Best Female Video.

Wins: Three, including Best New Artist.

Performances: She gave fans a theatrical take on her [article id="1621395"]"Paparazzi"[/article] track, seemingly bleeding all over the stage at the famed New York institution.

2010

Arrival: She hit the carpet in L.A. in a stunning McQueen dress joined by dates that were just as surprising as her 2009 beau: [article id="1647651"]former armed-services members[/article], in protest of the now-defunct "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Outfits: [article id="1647692"]Three[/article], which included her red-carpet look by McQueen, an edgy black ball gown by Giorgio Armani, and, of course, the infamous [article id="1647762"]meat dress[/article] by Franc Fernandez.

Nominations: Thirteen nominations, including nods for Video of the Year, Best Choreography and Best Collaboration.

Wins: Eight wins, including the night's big prize of Video of the Year for "Bad Romance," beating out herself for "Telephone."

Performances: She rather unexpectedly gave a blink-and-you-might-miss-it sneak peek at her 2011 single [article id="1647696"]"Born This Way."[/article] When she hit the stage to accept her Video of the Year award, she sang part of the song's infectious chorus.

2011

Arrival: She's certain to arrive, but how will she do it and who will be her date? Frankly, anything is possible.

Outfits: Given her penchant of wearing numerous outfits over the course of the night, we expect many looks at this year's show.

Nominations: She racked up four noms for Best Female Video and Best Video With a Message for "Born This Way," as well as Best Art Direction and Best Choreography for "Judas."

Wins: That's up to the fans, who vote on winners.

Performances: She's scheduled to [article id="1669333"]open the show[/article] and set the vibe for the entire night. Given the caliber of stars (Eminem and Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Madonna with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera) who have done it in the past, it is one of the most-coveted slots in the show.

What do you expect from Lady Gaga at this year's VMAs? Tell us in the comments!

The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday, August 28, from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for Best New Artist at VMA.MTV.com.