EDINBURGH, UK (MTV) -
"Expect the unexpected," that was what pop diva and host
Christina Aguilera said when asked what people could anticipate from last night�s MTV 2003
Europe Music Awards in Edinburgh. Many of the world's biggest recording artists assembled in Scotland for the MTV
Europe Music Awards last night.
The star-studded event was dominated by the US pop star Justin Timberlake, who walked away with awards for best album, best male and best pop act at the event in Edinburgh. He led the nominations field, competing in five categories. Christina Aguilera was named in four.
Timberlake's adoption of an R'n'B sound and collaborations with the hit producers The Neptunes have seen his popularity soar and earned him critical acclaim.
Collecting his third award, he paid tribute to the Scots, saying: "This is my first time in Scotland and I just want to say thank you. You don't get nicer than you people."
Coldplay did not turn up to collect the award for best group. The controversial rapper Eminem took the best hip hop title.
Other winners included The White Stripes duo for best rock act, and the reggae artist Sean Paul for best new act.
The ceremony, hosted by Christina Aguilera and Vin Diesel, was broadcast live to an estimated audience of a billion people worldwide.
Aguilera, who is famous for her raunchy image, opened the ceremony with a stripping nun routine. She was followed on stage by Beyonce Knowles, who wore a silver dress as she performed her new single Baby Boy with Sean Paul, one of the highlights of the event at the Ocean Terminal Arena.
The lead singer of Destiny's Child, who recently released her debut solo album, won the best R'n'B award for her recent solo work but lost out to Aguilera for best female artist. Pink closed the show with her single Trouble, dressed in a skintight red devil outfit.
Scotland's first minister, Jack McConnell, said the event would bring $5,5m to the Edinburgh economy and much much more to the Scottish economy in the longer term.
About 700 journalists and more than 100 photographers descended on the city for the ceremony.
Complet list of 2003 MTV Europe Awards winners:
Best new act Sean Paul
Best dance act Panjabi MC
Best R'n'B act Beyonce
Best hip hop artist Eminem
Best rock act The White Stripes
Best pop act Justin Timberlake
Best female artist Christina Aguilera
Best male artist Justin Timberlake
Best album Justified, Justin Timberlake
Best group Coldplay
Best Video Untitled 1, Sigur Ros
Best Song Crazy In Love, Beyonce
