Controversial music performances

Before Miley Cyrus scandalised the world with her raunchy antics, Madonna locked lips with Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears and shocked viewers. And that was just one of many controversial performances in the world of music. Here’s a smattering of other bizarre performances that set tongues wagging (Miley Cyrus-related pun unintended).

ROCK YOUR BODY

ARTISTS: Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake

WHEN & WHERE: 2004, Super Bowl Halftime Show

WTF MOMENT: Timberlake sings about getting Jackson “naked by the end of the song” and then seemingly rips off her top. That bit was planned. What happens next wasn’t.

 

WAR

ARTIST: Sinead O’Connor

WHEN & WHERE: 1992, Saturday Night Live

WTF MOMENT: When O’Connor holds up a picture of Pope John Paul II, says “Fight the real evil” and tears it up.


 

I’M A SLAVE 4 U

ARTIST: Britney Spears

WHEN & WHERE: 2001, MTV Video Music Awards

WTF MOMENT: First she shows up in a cage with a tiger, then hangs a python around her neck and dances about.

 

PAPARAZZI

ARTIST: Lady Gaga

WHEN & WHERE: 2009, MTV Video Music Awards

WTF MOMENT: Gaga ‘bleeds’ midway then ‘hangs’ herself in the end and pretends to be dead.

 

GETT OFF

ARTIST: Prince

WHEN & WHERE: 1991. MTV Video Music Awards

WTF MOMENT: When Prince turns around, reveals his ‘buttless’ pants and waves them around at the audience.

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