Spears, 'N Sync to Perform at VMAs

September 6 -- (ABCNEWS.com) — Christina Aguilera and Lil' Kim posing as courtesans and a dancing Christopher Walken are among the performers vying for attention at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The opera stars typical of New York City's Lincoln Center will step aside as a far more raucous bunch arrives tonight for the music channel's awards at the famed Metropolitan Opera House.

TV personality Jamie Foxx (of The Jamie Foxx Show and the movies Bait and Booty Call) is the new host of the annual event, where the clothing gets skimpier each year.

Rockers U2, Linkin Park, and Staind are on the bill, along with Jay-Z and Jennifer Lopez. Britney Spears is expected to debut a new song, "I'm a Slave 4 U," which is sure to inflame the tempers of those critical of her very sexual persona. The performance is also drawing protests from animal rights activists. According to the New York Post, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is angry over reports that Spears plans to perform with live cheetahs.

Whether or not the big cats are on the bill, the pop princess' boyfriend Justin Timberlake and his group 'N Sync will also perform during the live broadcast. It's even rumored that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop himself, may make an appearance, one day before the first of two star-studded concerts celebrating his 30 years as a solo artist.

The raunchy jokes and revelry will be tempered as the music industry continues to recover from the recent death of 22-year-old R&B star Aaliyah. The singer's brother, aspiring filmmaker Rashad Haughton, will address the crowd in his first public remarks since her death in a plane crash, according to The Associated Press.

Don't Forget the Moon Man … Chart toppers 'N Sync and Destiny's Child are among the contenders for multiple awards, although many of the leading videos were achieved through collaborations.

Camera-shy electronic artist Fatboy Slim decided to leave the video performance to actor Christopher Walken. The result: A surprisingly graceful Walken dancing through a hotel lobby helped "Weapon of Choice" receive a leading nine nominations, including Video of the Year.