Jennifer Lopez News

(9/7/01, 1 a.m. ET) -- Performances at the VMAs have always been memorable, and this year's offerings were no exception. The night's entertainment kicked off with Jennifer Lopez's Latin-themed rendition of her smash "Love Don't Cost A Thing." She was soon joined on stage by Ja Rule for a segue into their collaborative hit, "I'm Real." Linkin Park was next up with its unique brand of metal, singing "One Step Closer" while enhanced by the addition of four live DJs spinning eight separate wheels of steel. Then Alicia Keys, sitting alone at a piano at the front of opera house's thrust stage, performed a tight rendition of "Fallin'" backed by her band and a gospel choir.

*NSYNC brought comic books to life with a live rendition of "Pop" backed by a dance troupe straight out of the pages of Superman. Just as their live act appeared to end, Michael Jackson joined the quintet on stage. Although the "King Of Pop" did not sing or say a word, he did perform a dance routine similar to that in his "Smooth Criminal" video, after which he and *NSYNC enjoyed a standing ovation.

Jay-Z took the show to the masses gathered outside in the Lincoln Center plaza with his performance of "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," for which the rapper was flanked by dancing children adorned in Chicago Bulls uniforms. Back inside, Staind represented old-fashioned rock and roll with a subdued rendition of "Fade."

Technical difficulties didn't stop Missy Elliott from getting the crowd bouncing to "Get Ur Freak On." She was joined on stage by newcomers Nelly Furtado, Ludacris, and Trina, whereupon they shifted into a rendition of Elliott's "One Minute Man." Afterward, Elliott dedicated the performance to Aaliyah.

After a few more technical difficulties following the presentation of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award to U2, the Irish rock powerhouse performed a medley of "Elevation" and "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Of," two tracks from its latest album, All That You Can't Leave Behind.

Britney Spears was the final artist to hit the stage, performing her soon-to-be-released new single, "I'm A Slave 4 U." Prior to the show, the People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) criticized Spears's performance for its planned use of live panthers. Despite PETA's requests, the performance still featured an immense live tiger as well as a large albino snake that Spears proudly toted around her neck.

-- Chad Dougatz, New York

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