Madonna did everything to make her infamous MTV Video Music Awards' kiss a secret.
In 2003, Madonna shared the stage with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, during which she and the "Toxic" singer shared a kiss. Two decades after the performance, former MTV staffers revealed how the singers kept the whole thing to make it as surprising as possible.
Madonna's MTV VMAs Performance in 2003 Was a Secret
Rolling Stone received revelation from former staffers of MTV who said Madonna did not share the details of the performance even from this working on the production. She reportedly cleared the Radio City Music Hall during the rehearsals to ensure privacy, as well.
During the 2003 performance, the Queen of Pop performed "Like a Virgin" with the two singers before performing her single, "Hollywood."
She then kissed Spears and Aguilera on the lips before Missy Elliot joined them on stage.
"When you turn to Madonna, [MTV network chiefs] were always very understanding that this is her creative moment," former staff Summer Strauch told the news outlet. "They value whatever she chooses."
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Initially, Jennifer Lopez was set to perform with Madonna and Spears, but dropped out because of her film, "Shall We Dance?" She revealed in an interview that she was originally involved in the infamous kiss and was not only tapped to perform.
Reacting to the infamous kissing scenes, former MTV president Van Toffler told the news outlet he feared the performance was "in jeopardy." However, he witnessed everyone smiling and high-fiving after seeing the highlight of the performance.
Madonna Prepared For It for Weeks
MTV's former executive vice president of music and talent Tom Calderone told Rolling Stone in the same interview that the "Back That Up To The Beat" singer indeed asked the venue to be cleared in the weeks leading up to the awards show.
On the other hand, MTV reacted to the controversy positively and revealed that it was the reason why they wanted Madonna to perform at the 2003 MTV VMAs.
"You give Madonna the germ of an idea or just the real estate, and she's going to take it," Toffler continued. "She had a history of pushing us and pushing culture, and that's what was great about her and what was great about MTV. We pushed culture in provocative ways."
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