The "american" must not have been so american. Sometimes it is a performer who is in europe trying to rehab or build a career by being from somewhere else.
According to the MC, he introduced the guy as 'famous' for whatever, and said it like he was well known.
Now maybe he's well known to the MTV crowd....but I'd never heard of him...
..and there was nothing memorable about him.
I think your suggestion is correct.