Justin Leads Pack at MTV Europe Awards

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/30/2003 at 12:00 PM EDT

Don't cry him a river: With five nominations, Justin Timberlake, 22, leads the pack of nominees for the 10th annual MTV Europe Music Awards, to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Nov. 6, reports Reuters.

The former 'N Syncer and McDonald's pitchman's "Stripped & Justified" tour partner, Christina Aguilera, also 22, followed with four nods and will host the MTV event. Also tied with four nominations is the Detroit duo the White Stripes.

Timberlake is up for best album for his debut "Justified," as well as for best male, best pop, best new act and best song award for his single "Cry Me A River."

New York rapper 50 Cent, who last week won three MOBO (Music of Black Origin) awards in London, is in the running for three MTV awards, as are Evanescence and Sean Paul.

Among the acts set to play the event -- which is expected to attract a TV audience of one billion (with a "b") viewers -- are Beyonce, Travis, the Flaming Lips and Kylie Minogue.

Brent Hansen, president of MTV Networks Europe, said in a statement: "I can personally guarantee you that this year's show will be edgier and more powerful than ever before."

In other news of Timberlake, he and his ex, Britney Spears, will appear as musical guests in the coming weeks on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" -- though separately -- a spokesperson for the show tells Reuters.

Spears is due to sing Oct. 18, in an episode to be hosted by Halle Berry. Timberlake will serve as both the host and musical guest on the show the week before, on Oct. 11.

The 29th season of "Saturday Night Live" kicks off this Saturday with "School of Rock" star Jack Black hosting. The scheduled musical guest is John Mayer.