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 also the last awards show to be held prior to the September 11 attacks , which occurred five days later , and it featured the World Trade Center towers in Limp Bizkit 's winning rock video . 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
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
2001 MTV Video Music Awards