Pop princess Kylie Minogue opened a glittering 2001 MTV Europe Music Awards on Thursday as British acts including chanteuse Dido, cheeky Robbie Williams and Craig David scored trophies. Twenty-year-old Craig picked up two gongs – Best UK And Ireland Act and Best R&B musician – at the ceremony in this year’s host city of Frankfurt. In doing so, he avenged his brush-off at the Brits earlier this year.
Cartoon band Gorillaz - which appears on screen only in the form of artist Jamie Hewlett’s animated characters - received the Best Dance Artist crown. Front man for the outfit, Blur’s Damon Albarn, used his time at the mic to ask for peace. Pointing to his black T-shirt emblazoned with a peace sign, Damon said: “See this symbol, it’s for nuclear disarmament. Bombing one of the poorest countries in the world is wrong. You’ve got the voice. Use it.” Gorlliaz was also awarded Best Song honours for Clint Eastwood.
Robbie Williams, busy performing in Australia in a kilt, no less, was named Best Male act and accepted the trophy via video. Best Female Jennifer Lopez was a no-show as well, but sent a pre-recorded message thanking the more than five million fans who voted for the MTV awards. “I’m so excited,” said the sultry Latina. “Thank you so much for your support. I wish I could have been there.”
J Lo was among the stars who pulled out of the ceremony following the recent terrorist attacks in the US. Janet Jackson and Destiny’s Child had been scheduled to perform, but later backed out citing security concerns. Despite the cancellations, there was no shortage of star power at the annual event. Best Group winners Limp Bizkit signed on to appear after the Bootylicious trio opted out. Ali G, aka Sacha Baron Cohen, hosted the ceremony as Ronan Keating, Christina Ricci, Boris Becker, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heidi Klum, Claudia Schiffer and Ben Stiller all presented awards.
In a high-octane performance of her chart topper Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, Kylie Minogue descended a staircase on the futuristic set to join a 48-strong horde of dancers on stage. Other top acts performing at the show – which was taped and beamed out to millions an hour later – included REM, Atomic Kitten, Dido, Basement Jaxx, Depeche Mode, Mary J Blige and Best Rock winners Blink 182.
Also taking home trophies were US-born singer Anastacia who pipped Britney Spears and Atomic Kitten to the post for Best Pop act. Australian group the Avalanches scored for Best Video for Since I Left You.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
