KUALA LUMPUR - THE Pussycat Dolls are set to sizzle on stage at MTV's regional awards show on Saturday which will be broadcast around Asia from the glamorous hilltop Genting Highlands casino resort in Malaysia.

The Grammy-nominated pop superstars will open the concert which boasts a star-studded artist line-up at the Arena of Stars, Genting - including dance group Jabbawockeez, Leona Lewis, OneRepublic, Panic at the Disco, Super Junior, The Click Five and The Script.

Fans started gathering outside the arena on Saturday, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars in between rehearsals.

The Dolls, who shot to fame in 2005 with their worldwide hit Don't Cha came under fire last year by authorities in mainly-Muslim Malaysia for their raunchy performances and sexy attire and the concert promoters were fined 10,000 ringgit (S$3,705).

This time around the girls - Nicole Sherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Melody Thornton and Jessica Sutta - will perform their latest hit single When I Grow Up for the first time in Asia at the Awards, complete with their signature flashy costumes, dance moves and fireworks displays.

And the chilly highlands breeze was not cramping their style.

'It's not as cold as the time we were in the winter in Austria opening the ski season at the Swiss Alps in the snow. That was cold. If you were standing still, you would be frozen', lead singer Sherzinger told MTV Asia in an interview.

The show which pays tribute to regional and international music talent will be hosted by Jared Leto of rock group 30 Seconds to Mars who predicted a 'crazy and wonderful night' at Saturday's show.

There are nine regional categories and seven international awards up for grabs, including favourite international artist in Asia which will see a fight between punk pop princess Avril Lavigne, Fergie, Justine Timberlake and Linkin Park.

Hong Kong's Andy Lau will be competing against Eason Chan, Joey Yung and Leo Ku for the island's favourite artist.