People.com Archive Sexy in the City By Michelle Tan and Jennifer Wren Published on September 18, 2006 12:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email INSIDER AT THE VMAS The ever-prepared Diddy brought a bartender on the red carpet to pour shots of Scotch. “I’m about to blow off your doors,” proclaimed Jack Black, who hosted the Aug. 31 affair at Radio City Music Hall. After a powerhouse performance of her single “Ring the Alarm,” Beyoncé had two more reasons to party: a best R&B video win and her birthday (see page 70). Shakira belly-danced her way through the hit “Hips Don’t Lie” with Wyclef Jean. Said LL Cool J: “They were hot!” Jennifer Lopez presented the video of the year award after spending the previous night nuzzling with Marc Anthony at Manor nightclub. After dueting on “SexyBack,” Justin Timberlake and Timbaland teamed up again at a post-VMA concert. Channeling another era, a retro Christina Aguilera belted out her new song “Hurt,” saying before the show, “I’m here tonight ready to rock the house.” GETTING THEIR SEXY ON Hushing rumors of a rift, Justin Timberlake met up with his sweetie Cameron Diaz at Timbaland’s preshow party Aug. 30. In a private section of the Nikki Beach nightclub, they snuggled and danced to Timberlake’s “SexyBack.” (But “we’re not engaged,” Timberlake told Ellen DeGeneres three days later.) Post-VMAs, Timberlake hosted a concert at Roseland, singing with guests such as former ‘N Syncer JC Chasez while Usher, Pink and Diddy filled the VIP area. PARTY OF THREE Madonna was right: Music does make the people come together. Celebrating Swizz Beatz’s birthday at the Manor on Aug. 30, Kanye West wowed the crowd by rapping along to his hit “Touch the Sky.” One impressed fan? Marc Anthony, who invited West to join the VIP table he was sharing with wife Jennifer Lopez. The trio grooved until 2:30 a.m., when the fast friends made a fast exit together. GREEN (ROOM) WITH ENVY Before presenting best pop video, Nicole Richie rehearsed her lines in the green room. “I’m just so nervous,” Richie said. “I hate public speaking.” Good thing her new beau, Brody Jenner, planted a reassuring kiss on Richie before she took the stage. Later on Jenner was solo when Paris Hilton began chatting him up. This time a more confident Richie grabbed Jenner and led him away without a word to her rival. But don’t sweat it, Nicole. Jenner told PEOPLE, “I love Nicole! She’s amazing.” Sporting Burberry-print shorts, Fergie and friends performed her single “London Bridge” on the red carpet before nabbing the best hip-hop video award with the Black Eyed Peas. Best male video winner James Blunt cuddled his girlfriend of four months, model Petra Nemcova. “I’m with my love,” said Nemcova. “He’s an amazing person.” NICK & JESS CLOSE ENCOUNTERS After a near miss at the swag suites (he exited through a back door when she arrived to browse), presenters Jessica Simpson and ex Nick Lachey (above, with Nicole Richie) couldn’t avoid being in the same room—the green room. The pair stuck to opposite sides of the space with their posses. After the show Lachey joined girlfriend Vanessa Minnillo (above left), who spent the night sitting on his lap at Timberlake’s post-VMA concert, while Simpson opted out of the afterparty scene. “She’s got a 6 a.m. call,” said Simpson’s dad. “I think she’ll probably be in bed!” THE PARTIES HAPPY B’DAY, BEYONCé! As music pumped through the crowded VIP room at the 40/40 Club, Beyoncé turned to a friend and mouthed, “This is crazy!” Guests including John Legend, Rihanna, Ludacris, OutKast’s André 3000 and former Destiny’s Child bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland came out to toast the night’s queen “B” as she celebrated the release of her album B’Day and her 25th birthday at an exclusive post-VMAs blowout hosted by boyfriend Jay-Z. Beyoncé’s mom, Tina, whipped up home-cooked gumbo for the occasion, while screens in the club featured the birthday girl’s latest performances and videos. The main buzz of the bash? How crazy in love Beyoncé and Jay-Z looked as the usually private couple let down their guard. Throughout the night the pair exchanged hugs and even a quick kiss in front of the crowd. Said music mogul L.A. Reid of the cuddly couple: “That’s hip-hop royalty.” MORE, LIVE FROM NEW YORK … Ask the fire department: The hottest afterparty in town was 50 Cent and LL Cool J’s soiree at Tao. “It’s great in there!” said an official after surveying the scene…. At his Duvet bash, Wyclef Jean performed with special guest Pras…. Liv Tyler took out her glasses to watch husband Royston Langdon perform with his band Arckid at Gotham Hall…. À la Tom Cruise, Jared Leto danced on a couch at Marquee…. Diddy hosted a top-secret after-afterparty. How crowded was it? Fergie couldn’t get in. For more from the VMAs, including red carpet video and candid snaps from Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, go to http://www.people.com/vma.