ARIANA GRANDE: Will Avoid Taylor Swift at *VMAs*

MTV set the table for trouble at next month’s Video Music Awards. Taylor Swift received 10 nominations, as did Ariana Grande, who is managed by Scooter Braun. He’s the music mogul who earned Taylor’s ire for buying the record label she used to be on.

But potential friction between them has been avoided, since Ari will be 3,000 miles away, doing shows in London the day before and after the awards on August 26th. has bailed on attending the VMAs.

Still, Ariana will compete directly with Taylor for three major awards: Best Video, Best Song and Best Pop Song of the Year. A source said (quote) “MTV likes to give awards to artists in the building. I think MTV is in a tough spot.” (New York Post)