![Highlights from the 2003 VMAs](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/64e87dc22300001a00b1d893.jpg?cache=laYwQjT6P7&ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
RK Capak/ Getty/ Stephen Lovekin / Frank Micelotta / Christopher Polk
Since their launch in 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards have garnered a reputation as one of the most outrageous and unpredictable nights in music.
And that was certainly the case in 2003, which wound up providing one of the most talked-about moments in pop culture history.
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It wasn’t all about Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera’s opening performance, though.
Here’s a rundown of what made the 2003 VMAs – which took place 20 years ago – one of the most action-packed in pop history...
Let’s start on the red carpet, where Venus and Serena Williams apparently predicted the Barbenheimer trend 20 years early
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RJ Capak via Getty Images
Beyoncé made one of her first major public appearances as a solo artist
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Dave Hogan via Getty Images
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Justin Timberlake apparently hit the red carpet straight from a job interview
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Evan Agostini via Getty Images
As did a pre-Mean Girls Lindsay Lohan, for that matter
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Steve Azzara via Getty Images
Credit to Kim Cattrall who absolutely turned it out on the night
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KMazur via Getty Images
Christina Aguilera brought a touch of Las Vegas to the New York event
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Steve Azzara via Getty Images
This photo of her with the Black Eyed Peas is perhaps the most 2003 thing we’ve ever seen
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KMazur via Getty Images
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Oh wait, maybe that honour should go to the Newlyweds themselves, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson
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Jim Spellman via Getty Images
And they weren’t the only married couple turning heads on the night
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KMazur via Getty Images
Back on the red carpet, Kelly Osbourne and Avril Lavigne were all about two things. Rock. And, indeed, roll.
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Steve Azzara via Getty Images
Meanwhile... oh
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Steve Azzara via Getty Images
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To mark the 20th VMAs, the night kicked off with a performance from Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to pay tribute to Madonna’s rendition of Like A Virgin almost two decades earlier
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J. Shearer via Getty Images
The Queen of Pop herself then joined them on stage to perform her single Hollywood
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Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
Oh yeah, and there was some kissing. We don’t think anyone noticed, though
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Kevin Kane via Getty Images
Well, maybe one person did
![Justin Timberlake in the VMAs audience](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/64e878a92500001900798c61.png?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
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Christina returned to the stage later in the night, going from the Queen of Pop to the Queens of Soapland with a tribute to Kat Slater and Liz McDonald
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Kevin Kane via Getty Images
Oh yeah, and that’s Dave Navarro of Red Hot Chilli Peppers who joined her for a belting rendition of Fighter
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KMazur via Getty Images
The 2003 VMAs also marked Beyoncé’s first ever performance as a solo artist and let’s just say even in those days she knew how to make an entrance
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Frank Micelotta via Getty Images
While it might not have been quite as polished as some of the latter-day routines Beyoncé is famous for, let’s face it, a Beyoncé performance is still a Beyoncé performance
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KMazur via Getty Images
And, of course, she had a surprise guest too
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Frank Micelotta via Getty Images
Other performers on the night included Good Charlotte...
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Scott Gries via Getty Images
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...50 Cent and Snoop Dogg...
![50 Cent and Snoop Dogg during 2003 MTV Video Music Awards - Show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/64e87a682300006100b1d88c.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
KMazur via Getty Images
...And Coldplay, who took the opportunity to make a political point
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Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
We need to talk about some of the chaotic presenting duos, too. Namely OutKast and Iggy Pop...
![Iggy Pop and OutKast](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/64e87aa3250000340087f163.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Kevin Kane via Getty Images
...David Spade and the Olsen twins...
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Kevin Kane via Getty Images
...Evanescence and Sean Paul...
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Kevin Kane via Getty Images
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...and Kelly Clarkson (looking ever so slightly Sarah Palin-esque) and Ludacris
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Kevin Kane via Getty Images
Towards the end of the ceremony, Adam Sandler presented Video Of The Year to Missy Elliott for her Work It music video
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Christopher Polk via Getty Images
Missy got her moment to shine earlier in the night, when she performed Work It with Britney, Christina and Madonna
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Frank Micelotta via Getty Images
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Justin Timberlake picked up not one but two awards for Cry Me A River (all while his ex Britney Spears, who inspired the song, was in the audience watching)
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Kevin Kane via Getty Images
Beyoncé was the night’s other big winner, scooping three awards in total
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Kevin Kane via Getty Images
And sticking with the nostalgic theme of the opening routine, Metallica closed the show with a chaotic mix of some of MTV’s biggest hits from the previous two decades
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Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
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