Rihanna Haircut 2012: Pulls a Miley Cyrus and Chops Off Long Locks Pre-VMAs

Rihanna has cut her long dark locks into a short, choppy do' just in time for her appearance at MTV's 2012 VMAs. While the R&B princess is known for her rather wild fashion choices and ever-changing hairstyles, this is the first time the "S&M" songstress has rocked a short mane since her previous cut back in 2008. Looks like the pixie-do' is becoming a rejuvenated hot Hollywood trend - remember all the hype Miley Cyrus got when she premiered a new, spiky, platinum blonde style earlier this summer?

Check out Rihanna's new look here.

Rihanna debuted her rocker hairstyle in L.A. on Wednesday, where she was rehearsing for the MTV Video Music Awards. The 24-year-old Barbados beauty, who is up for five VMA nominations, is set to perform in the opening act alongside ASAP Rocky and Calvin Harris. She will be performing a remix of "Cockiness (Love It)" and "We Found Love," both singles off of her most recent album "Talk that Talk."

Earlier this year Rihanna's hairstylist Ursula Stephen said, "Her hairstyle typically changes depending on what's on our agenda, what she's wearing, or how she's feeling. We take it day by day and event by event, and usually will both bring ideas to the table. It's always a collaboration."

Maybe Rihanna figured she needed a fresh look going into Thursday night's event - rumors had it that ex-flame Chris Brown would also be attending the awards show and that the two would even share the stage at some point. But new reports claim that such allegations are false and that Brown will not even be at the Staples Center in L.A. on Sept. 6.

Wonder if Rihanna will flaunt the new short do' tonight, or change it up (like she is infamously known for doing) for what promises to be one stellar VMA performance.