NEW YORK CITY – A brief appearance by music superstar Michael Jackson overshadowed the planned performances at Thursday night’s MTV Music Video Awards.
The 43-year-old “King of Pop” received a standing ovation after dancing for less than a minute during an onstage performance by the male vocal group ‘NSync. It was Mr. Jackson’s first American performance in several years.
Videos from artists Fatboy Slim and the movie “Moulin Rouge” were the evening’s biggest winners. Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” received six awards, including best direction and best choreography.
“Weapon of Choice” was one of the cable music channel’s most unusual videos this year because it featured no large cast, elaborate production or even an appearance by Fatboy Slim – only actor Christopher Walken dancing around an empty hotel lobby.
The night’s biggest award for best video went to a remake of Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade,” featuring a chorus line of singers Mya, Pink, Li’l Kim and Christina Aguilera in a performance inspired by the musical film “Moulin Rouge.”
The Irish rock group U2 received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement.
Artists also paid tribute to actress-singer Aaliyah, who died August 25 in a plane crash in the Bahamas.
The event was broadcast live from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera House.
