The 2001 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on September 6, 2001, honoring the best music videos from June 10, 2000, to June 8, 2001. The show was hosted by Jamie Foxx at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. This was the last awards show to be held prior to the attacks on the World Trade Center 5 days later.
Highlights of the show included a surprise appearance by Michael Jackson at the end of *NSYNC's performance and a controversial performance from Britney Spears, in which she danced to "I'm a Slave 4 U", while utilizing a host of live animals, including a large albino snake draped over her shoulders. Macy Gray wore a dress with a promotional message, instructing viewers to buy her new album. Andy Dick portrayed a fictional cousin of Christina Aguilera, Daphne Aguilera, who, in a skit, "attacked" Aguilera in the audience. The show also featured memorials for Aaliyah and Joey Ramone. Many of the night's winners dedicated awards to the two fallen musicians over the course of the telecast.
Fatboy Slim took home six Moonmen, the most of the evening, for his "Weapon of Choice" video, which featured the dancing talents of actor Christopher Walken. N'SYNC's "Pop" took home four awards. Notably, Gwen Stefani won two awards for her collaborations with Eve and Moby. Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink took home two awards, including the Video of the Year award, for the video of their collaborative rendition of "Lady Marmalade".
Read more about 2001 MTV Video Music Awards: Appearances
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