Apparently Michael Jackson wanted to get the dust off his signature black penny loafers 24 hours ahead of schedule. He performed in front of a U.S. audience for the first time in years when he joined 'NSYNC onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Toward the end of the group's performance of "Pop," the words "King of Pop" appeared on a giant Etch a Sketch, only to be replaced by a silhouette of Jackson. As the oversized drawing device was elevated, Jackson, dressed in a white V-neck T-shirt and a black shirt and pants, came onstage and started to do the robot, pop-lock and show off his often-imitated spins and feet shuffling, but he did not sing.

Jackson's only acknowledgement to the audience, which gave him a standing ovation, was a single point of the finger.

Jackson and 'NSYNC will again team up for a performance of the Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine" with Jackson's brothers during the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years tribute. The star-studded tribute concerts take place Friday and Monday in New York.

In June, Jackson made a surprise stage appearance as a guest of Jay-Z at New York radio station Hot 97's Summer Jam. Although he did talk to the stunned audience at that show, he did not dance.

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