Your support helps us to tell the story
In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.
Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.
Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives
Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Megan Thee Stallion honored MTV VMAs’ 40-year history by recreating Britney Spears’ remarkable “Slave 4 U” outfit.
On 11 September, the 29-year-old “Mamushi” artist took center stage inside the UBS Arena to host this year’s awards ceremony. For her big entrance, Megan stepped out in a bedazzled leotard resembling Team USA’s gymnastics uniforms for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, the on-stage performer plucked a piece from fashion history on live television later in the show when she stepped out in a replica of Spears’ “Slave 4 U” outfit from her 2001 VMAs performance.
Megan laughed as the camera focused on her in the green bra top, low-waisted blue bottoms with dangling beads, and a long tulle train exactly like the “Toxic” singer’s from 23 years ago. And wrapped around her arms was a real albino python, subtly slithering as she pretended to sing the hit song.
“Okay. Okay. Stop the music,” Megan screamed, standing still trying not to bother the snake. “I’m just playing. Come get the snake. I don’t know this snake, this snake don’t know me. Oh my god.”
Online, fans obsessed over the iconic pop culture remake, praising the “Cry Baby” vocalist’s look in the outfit.
The “Criminal” performer recently reflected on her iconic performance while holding the snake around her shoulders on X, formerly known as Twitter, ahead of her memoir release. Speaking to her social media fans, Spears admitted the 2001 MTV VMAs moment was a “favorite” of hers.
“One of my favorite performances was with an albino python,” she wrote on September 6, 2023. “I still remember how scared I felt when I was handed this snake and took the stage.”
In her book, The Woman in Me, Spears details the experience, confessing how she believed the snake was “hissing” at her the entire time. “The goddamn snake’s tongue is flicking out at me,” she said.
“What nobody knows is that as I was singing, the snake brought its head right around to my face, right up to me, and started hissing at me,” Spears continued. “You didn’t see that shot on the TV, but in real life? I was thinking, ‘Are you f***ing serious right now? The f***ing goddamn snake’s tongue is flicking out at me. Right. Now.’ Finally, I got to the part where I handed it back, thank God.”
The music legend’s “Slave 4 U” performance marked her third one at the MTV VMAs. In 2003, Spears took the stage once again, kissing Madonna and Christina Aguilera during “Like a Virgin.” Unfortunately, the artist was not present for this year’s awards ceremony.
You can find all the winners from the 2024 MTV VMAs here.
