Why Jennifer Lopez missed Madonna and Britney's 2003 VMA kiss

Jennifer Lopez said she missed the memorable 2003 MTV VMA kiss because she was working on the film Shall We Dance and the production wouldn’t let her out. She told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live that they “just wouldn’t let me out of the movie.”

Lopez recalled rehearsing a sultry medley of “Like a Virgin” with Madonna and Britney Spears and even going to Madonna’s house to prepare. She said the plan had her coming out first to sing, and that she hadn’t rehearsed an onstage kiss; Madonna later told them “that’s what she wanted to do.”

Studio staff allowed Lopez to meet with Madonna on a weekend but would not release her to perform, so Christina Aguilera ultimately filled the spot. The televised set featured Spears, Madonna and Aguilera in wedding-themed attire, ending with a three-way kiss and a later appearance by Missy Elliott performing “Work It.”

Madonna spoke about reenacting the kiss on tour, and Spears and Madonna later recreated the moment at Spears’ 2022 wedding to Sam Asghari.

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