BEYONCÉ, COLDPLAY AND JUSTIN SCORE VMA TRIPLE PLAYS
The trio celebrated the 20th anniversary of the MTV Video Music Awards with an opening salvo of "Like a Virgin," the same song the Material Gal sang while writhing around on the stage of Radio City Music Hall back in 1984, the first year of the show.
Missy Elliott was the big winner, earning Video of the Year for her "Work It" clip, but Beyoncé ("Crazy in Love"), Coldplay ("The Scientist") and Justin Timberlake ("Cry Me a River") took home the most Moonmen with three apiece.
The show, hosted for the third time by Chris Rock, was filled with the unexpected, as Madonna’s daughter Lola and friend Honour came on stage as flower girls at a wedding. Spears and Aguilera then emerged from a cake in wedding gowns, followed by Madonna, and the three divas joined forces for a sexy performance of "Like a Virgin." The trio then moved into her current single "Hollywood," with Missy Elliott joining in. Toward the end of the performance, they all locked lips.
Rock's monologue took on everything from politics to several of this year's nominees, ranging from J. Lo, Aguilera and Spears to Timberlake, 50 Cent and Kobe Bryant.
Skating icons Tony Hawk and Bam Margera skateboarded onto the stage to introduce a rousing performance by Good Charlotte of "The Anthem," surrounded by fans dressed like Goth cheerleaders.
Aguilera performed a sensual medley of "Dirrty," joined by Redman, and "Fighter" with Dave Navarro on guitar. The hall later took on a more serious tone when P. Diddy and Run DMC paid homage to Jam Master Jay before presenting the award for Best Rap Video to 50 Cent for "In Da Club."
Eminem was then joined on stage by Special Ed, the puppet from Comedy Central's Crank Yankers, as part of the rapper’s anger-management therapy after his run-in last year with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. The duo then introduced 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg, who impressed the audience with their performance of "P.I.M.P."
Another hysterical moment occurred when last year's host, Jimmy Fallon, was "questioned" about his sexual persuasion by the cast of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy before introducing the award for Best Female Video. Fred Durst and Jack Black took the stage, with Black dressed as Michael Jackson, to accept what he thought was the "Comedian of the Millennium Award."
DMX then brought on Mary J. Blige, who performed a special medley of hits, with the ubiquitous 50 Cent and Method Man, live from the skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza.
In honor of the Video Music Awards' 20th anniversary, Avril Lavigne and Kelly Osbourne presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to delighted music video pioneers Duran Duran, who had never won a VMA during their career, which preceded the establishment of the awards show telecast in '84.
DreamWorks goth punks AFI earned the MTV2 Award, voted on by viewers, for their video "Girl's Not Grey." It was presented to the band by OutKast and Iggy Pop.
Coldplay performed "The Scientist," dedicating it to the hospitalized Johnny Cash, who was hospitalized for a stomach ailment and unable to attend the awards show, though he did receive an award for "Best Cinematography."
After that, the audience was brought to its feet as Beyoncé descended from the ceiling upside down for a hot rendition her new single "Baby Boy" and #1 hit "Crazy in Love" with Jay-Z.
The night drew to a climactic close with Metallica performing a medley including Lenny Kravitz's "Are U Gonna Go My Way?," The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army," Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and a surprising version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It." They finished with their newest single, "Frantic."
2003 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS
Video of the Year: Missy Elliott ("Work It")
Best Male Video: Justin Timberlake ("Cry Me a River")
Best Female Video: Beyoncé f/ Jay-Z ("Crazy in Love")
Best Group Video: Coldplay ("The Scientist")
Best Rap Video: 50 Cent ("In Da Club")
Best R&B Video: Beyoncé f Jay-Z ("Crazy in Love")
Best Hip-Hop Video: Missy Elliott ("Work It")
Best Dance Video: Justin Timberlake ("Rock Your Body")
Best Rock Video: Linkin Park ("Somewhere I Belong")
Best Pop Video: Justin Timberlake ("Cry Me a River")
Best New Artist in a Video: 50 Cent ("In Da Club")
Best Video From a Film: Eminem ("Lose Yourself")
MTV2 Award: AFI ("Girl's Not Grey")
Professional Categories
Best Direction in a Video: Coldplay ("The Scientist")
Best Choreography in a Video: Beyoncé f/Jay-Z ("Crazy in Love")
Best Special Effects in a Video: Queens of the Stone Age ("Go With the Flow")
Best Art Direction in a Video: Radiohead ("There There.")
Best Editing in a Video: The White Stripes ("Seven Nation Army")
Best Cinematography in a Video: Johnny Cash ("Hurt")
Breakthrough Video: Coldplay ("The Scientist")
