Lady Gaga surprises with 'normal' dress at VMAs

There was no hatching from an egg, no bra top, no see-through pants, no crazy face mask.

Lady Gaga hit the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet in an atypically understated outfit.

What?!

Wearing all black, she looked downright demure, and a little like Morticia Addams, in a black gown with a long train and a bow at the waist. It was a Prabal Gurung "technical satin" creation.

Huffington Post said she looked "pretty normal."

She promised during the MTV pre-show that the performance would include costume changes. "It's going to be awesome. We've been rehearsing for a while. ... We put together something that we thought everybody would love."

And she told JustJared earlier this week that it's "definitely the most physically demanding performance I've ever done."

Jason Derulo and Jordin Sparks were counting the minutes until Gaga took the stage. "I just can't wait to see what she pulls out of her bag of tricks!" said Sparks on the red carpet. "She's been out of the limelight for the past year, and it's great to see her back."

But, she added, "If 'N Sync performs later, though? I'm going to be the happiest girl. Ever."