The 2002 MTV VMAs: Here's What the Awards Show Looked Like 20 Years Ago

Mar. 15, 2025

01of 16Pretty in PunkJeff Kravitz/FilmMagicThe rockstar was all the rage in 2002 — even J.Lo wanted in! Avril Lavigne, Lisa Marie Presley and Pink opted for cropped tees and low-waisted pants, while Lopez donned a more classic look with curled hair and a fitted blouse.

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Pretty in Punk

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The rockstar was all the rage in 2002 — even J.Lo wanted in! Avril Lavigne, Lisa Marie Presley and Pink opted for cropped tees and low-waisted pants, while Lopez donned a more classic look with curled hair and a fitted blouse.

02of 16Tied Up and TrendyMark Mainz/GettyMary J. Blige’s leather ensemble — complete with myriad fasteners to lace, zip or button her up — struck a stark contrast against the shiny Moon Man that she won for Best R&B Video.

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Tied Up and Trendy

Mark Mainz/Getty

Mary J. Blige’s leather ensemble — complete with myriad fasteners to lace, zip or button her up — struck a stark contrast against the shiny Moon Man that she won for Best R&B Video.

03of 16Cool Toned ThreadsMark Mainz/GettyChristina Aguilera ingeniously refashioned a scarf into a top, paired it with a micro mini denim skirt and was instantly Fashion Queen of the Aughts, crowned with a newsboy cap.

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Cool Toned Threads

Christina Aguilera ingeniously refashioned a scarf into a top, paired it with a micro mini denim skirt and was instantly Fashion Queen of the Aughts, crowned with a newsboy cap.

04of 16Dapper DuoJeff Kravitz/FilmMagicYou’d be hard pressed to find a better pair than Britney Spears and Michael Jackson to present the VMA for Best Pop Video.

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Dapper Duo

You’d be hard pressed to find a better pair than Britney Spears and Michael Jackson to present the VMA for Best Pop Video.

05of 16Business CasualMark Mainz/GettyShakira’s suit-and-tie look may not fit a corporate dress code, but when she later performed “Objection (Tango)” during the ceremony, she certainly was the boss of the stage.

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Business Casual

Shakira’s suit-and-tie look may not fit a corporate dress code, but when she later performed “Objection (Tango)” during the ceremony, she certainly was the boss of the stage.

06of 16Glitter and GoldMark Mainz/GettyIn case the sparkling dragon pendant wasn’t enough bling for the red carpet, Busta Rhymes wore a rhinestone shirt bearing the same emblem: the logo for his clothing line, Bushi.

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Glitter and Gold

In case the sparkling dragon pendant wasn’t enough bling for the red carpet, Busta Rhymes wore a rhinestone shirt bearing the same emblem: the logo for his clothing line, Bushi.

07of 16Winning TeamMark Mainz/GettyGwen Stefaniand her No Doubt bandmates arrived at the 2002 VMAs wearing more patterns than there are members in the group. However, they all went home with the same metallic accessory: a Moon Man award for Best Group Video.

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Winning Team

Gwen Stefaniand her No Doubt bandmates arrived at the 2002 VMAs wearing more patterns than there are members in the group. However, they all went home with the same metallic accessory: a Moon Man award for Best Group Video.

08of 16Synchronized StyleKevin Kane/WireImageBrimmed hats and gelled hair topped these four ‘Nsync members — Chris Kirkpatrick,Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone and JC Chasez — as they presented the Viewers’ Choice VMA.

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Synchronized Style

Kevin Kane/WireImage

Brimmed hats and gelled hair topped these four ‘Nsync members — Chris Kirkpatrick,Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone and JC Chasez — as they presented the Viewers’ Choice VMA.

09of 16Twin ChicMark Mainz/GettyThe Olsens donned somewhat “fraternal” outfits for the award ceremony: Mary-Kate went sleeveless while her sister wore long sleeves, and Ashley rocked textured pants to complement the skirt beside her. They even split on the closed-versus-open-toed shoes.

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Twin Chic

The Olsens donned somewhat “fraternal” outfits for the award ceremony: Mary-Kate went sleeveless while her sister wore long sleeves, and Ashley rocked textured pants to complement the skirt beside her. They even split on the closed-versus-open-toed shoes.

10of 16Glam GirlParis Hilton in 2002.Mark Mainz/GettyIn a pink-and-purple floral halter top and matching tie-dyed sarong, Paris Hilton looked ready for a VMAs afterparty at a Malibu Barbie Dreamhouse.

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Glam Girl

Paris Hilton in 2002.Mark Mainz/Getty

In a pink-and-purple floral halter top and matching tie-dyed sarong, Paris Hilton looked ready for a VMAs afterparty at a Malibu Barbie Dreamhouse.

11of 16Triple ThreatKevin Kane/WireImageWhenAmerican Idol’s Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson presented the Best New Artist in a Video award, the singing competition show was less than a week away from crowning its season 1 winner. Little did these judges know that their first champion,Kelly Clarkson, would go on to win three VMAs of her own (and counting).

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Triple Threat

WhenAmerican Idol’s Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson presented the Best New Artist in a Video award, the singing competition show was less than a week away from crowning its season 1 winner. Little did these judges know that their first champion,Kelly Clarkson, would go on to win three VMAs of her own (and counting).

12of 16Tinted ShadesMark Mainz/GettyA 24-year-old Usher matched his glasses to his hexagonal leather jacket.

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Tinted Shades

A 24-year-old Usher matched his glasses to his hexagonal leather jacket.

13of 16Letting it ShineMark Mainz/GettyAshanti, who performed alongside Ja Rule and Nas at the 2002 VMAs, looked like a firework in a glittering beaded dress.

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Letting it Shine

Ashanti, who performed alongside Ja Rule and Nas at the 2002 VMAs, looked like a firework in a glittering beaded dress.

14of 16All About an Up-DoMark Mainz/GettyActress Kirsten Dunst arrived at the 2002 VMAs wearing her hair in milkmaid-style braids, perhaps tapping into herGerman and Swedish roots.

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All About an Up-Do

Actress Kirsten Dunst arrived at the 2002 VMAs wearing her hair in milkmaid-style braids, perhaps tapping into herGerman and Swedish roots.

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A Host of Laughs

16of 16Red AlertKevin Kane/WireImageDavid Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar must have done a bit of color-coordinating before they took the stage to present Best Rock Video.

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Red Alert

David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar must have done a bit of color-coordinating before they took the stage to present Best Rock Video.

source: people.com