Britney Spears Calls Her Life Worse Than a Jail Sentence

Photo by: Courtesy MTV

Britney Spears says that since her breakdown, her life has been worse than a jail sentence – but that she's slowly healing one day at a time.

"I have really good days, and then I have bad days," the singer, 26, admits in a new fly-on-the wall, 90-minute documentary, Britney: For The Record, to air in the U.S. Nov. 30 on MTV and in the U.K. Dec. 1 on Sky1.

Struggling to gain control of her life again after her public meltdown earlier this year, she says candidly: "Even when you go to jail, y'know, there's the time when you're gonna get out. But in this situation, it's never ending. It's just like [the Bill Murray movie] Groundhog Day."

She adds, "I'm having to pay for it for a really long time."

Spears was hospitalized for mental evaluation in January, which resulted in her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, being granted sole custody of their sons, Preston and Jayden. Her father, Jamie Spears, also gained legal control over her affairs.

Britney Spears, in Britney: For The Record Photo by: Courtesy MTV

Not Being Heard
"If I wasn't under the restraints that I'm under right now, I'd feel so liberated," she says in the film, which follows the singer as she records and promotes her new album Circus. "When I tell them the way I feel, it's like they hear me, but they're really not listening."

A camera crew followed the singer for three months as she moved to pull her life back on track. "I wanted to make this film because I started to feel like I wasn't being seen in the light that I wanted to be seen in," Spears said. "This is an opportunity to set the record straight and talk about what I've been through and where I'm headed."

Overall, she says, "I think I've learned my lesson now, and enough is enough."

by People

Britney, Obama a Big Deal at MTV Europe Awards

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Britney Spears didn't even have to show up to come back in Liverpool.

The again-viable pop star was named Act of 2008 in absentia at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards, which were handed out Thursday in the Beatles' hometown.

Fittingly so, considering Paul McCartney was on hand to collect his Ultimate Legend award from a reverent Bono. McCartney thanked his "mum and dad," the people of Liverpool, his former bandmates and Americans, "for voting in Senator McCain."

Spears also snagged a trophy for Album of the Year for Blackout, making her and 30 Seconds to Mars (Rock Out and Video Star) the most winning artists of the night.

But while Spears taped a video thank-you message ahead of time, she was otherwise engaged tonight. Sources tell E! News that the "Womanizer" songstress is headed to Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium, where she and Justin Timberlake are supposed to reunite onstage with Madonna, whose Sticky & Sweet tour touched down in SoCal Tuesday.

Other big winners included girl-kisser and the evening's host Katy Perry, who was named Best New Act and sported a dress emblazoned with Barack Obama's face; Artists' Choice Lil Wayne; Best Act Ever Rick Astley; and Pink's "So What," which was named Most Addictive Track.

Also sharing the political love was 30 Seconds frontman Jared Leto, who sported an Obama T-shirt and urged the crowd at Echo Arena to chant the U.S. president-elect's name.

Beyoncé, the Killers, Pink, Kanye West—who didn't try to pilfer the Best Video statue this time—and British singer Estelle all performed.

Details on awards:

• Album Of The Year : Britney Spears "Blackout"
• Headliner: Tokio Hotel
• Most Addictive Track: Pink "So What"
• Best Act Ever: Rick Astley
• New Act: Katy Perry
• Artists' Choice: Lil Wayne
• Act of 2008: Britney Spears
• Ultimate Urban: Kanye West
• Ultimate Legend: Paul McCartney
• Rock Out: 30 Seconds to Mars
• Europe’s Favourite: Emre Aydın
• Video Star: 30 Seconds to Mars "Beautiful Lie"
• Regional Awards
• Best UK Act: Leona Lewis
• Best German Act: Fettes Brot
• Best Danish Act: Suspekt
• Best Finnish Act: Nightwish
• Best Norwegian Act: Erik & Kriss
• Best Swedish Act: Neverstore
• Best Italian Act: Finley
• Best Dutch & Belgian Act: De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig
• Best French Act: Zaho
• Best Polish Act: Feel
• Best Spanish Act: Amaral
• Best Russian Act: Dima Bilan
• Best Romanian & Moldovian Act: Morandi
• Best Portuguese Act: Buraka Som Sistema
• Best Adriatic Act: Elvir Laković
• Best Baltic Act: Happyendless
• Best Hungarian Act: Gonzo
• Best Turkish Act: Emre Aydın
• Best Ukrainian Act: Quest Pistols
• Best Greek Act: Stereo Mike
• Best Israeli Act: Shiri Maimon
• Best Arab Act: Karl Wolf

Total Request Dead

MTV

Start the countdown clock on MTV's countdown era: "Total Request Live" will soon shut down after 10 years on the air.

The music video show will conclude in a two-hour special on a Saturday afternoon in November, Dave Sirulnick, executive producer of "TRL," said Monday. He stressed that the show wasn't ending for good, but felt now was the right time to give it a break after an unprecedented run on the cable music channel.

"We want to close this era of `TRL' in a big celebratory way, and 10 is a great number," Sirulnick said. "And 10 is the number that `TRL' counted down every single day for 10 years, and we hit this 10th (anniversary) and we thought, `You know what? This feels like the right time and let's celebrate it and let's reward it. And let's let it have a little bit of a rest for a minute.' Let it catch its breath! Been working hard — for 10 years!"

"TRL" debuted in September 1998 and became the splashy center of the teen pop music scene with Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, N'Sync and other acts. From its heydey until 2008, it's been a destination for musicians, movie stars and celebrities promoting their new music, movies and other projects.

Sirulnick said "TRL" — which airs weekday afternoons from MTV's Times Square studio — lost some luster as it aged. It peaked in 1999 with 757,000 viewers tuning in daily, according to Nielsen Media Research.

"It becomes more of a mainstay and more of an institution than — pardon the pun — the new kid on the block," Sirulnick said.

For the finale, Sirulnick said he hopes to celebrate with many of the "folks who helped make `TRL' what it is — whether that's Justin (Timberlake) and his guys in N'Sync, the Backstreet Boys, Britney, Eminem — I think we would love to see all of them here." That includes former host Carson Daly.

In a statement, Eminem said: "I'm going to miss `TRL.' ... Where else will I be able to start feuds, defend my honor vigorously and act like an angry teenager on national TV? Oh wait ... The VMAs!"

MTV found a replacement of sorts with "FNMTV." The show debuted over the summer in a 15-episode run hosted by Pete Wentz, bassist for rock band Fall Out Boy. Taped in Los Angeles, it aired Friday nights and televised exclusive music videos and performances by such diverse acts as Slipknot and the Jonas Brothers.

MTV said it was bringing "FNMTV" back for another run in mid-November. Like last time, there will be no video countdown with the 10 viewer favorites.

by Y!News

Britney Wins Big at the VMAs

by WireImage

It was Britney's night!

The pop star made a triumphant return to MTV's Video Music Awards, winning three Moonmen, including the night's big honor, video of the year, for her hit "Piece of Me."

"I'm in shock," the grateful singer said after accepting her third award of the night from NBA star Kobe Bryant.

Happy Birthday MTV

Spears, of course, was the subject of much speculation and excitement after word spread that she would be opening the ceremony.

by WireImage.com

She looked a little nervous at first, but proved to be in fighting form in a vintage silver Versace mini-dress. After being escorted from her dressing room, Spears took center stage, clutched the microphone tight, and announced, "I'm here tonight to celebrate a very important birthday." Continued Spears: "This is the 25th Video Music Awards – and it starts right now."

With that, the pop star was gone, ceding the stage to a futuristic-looking Rihanna, who launched into her hit "Disturbia" with a goth-themed entourage touting glow sticks and leather.

by GettyImages

Moments later, Spears was back to accept her first VMA ever.

Nominated for 16 Moonmen in the past, the pop star nabbed the first award of the night, best female video, for her song "Piece of Me." Spears gave a brief speech, thanking God for "just blessing me like this," calling out her two sons and dedicating the award to her fans. "This is for you," Spears said.

And her fans were everywhere Sunday night. Haley Williams from Paramore saw Spears backstage and was overheard remarking to a bandmate, "Man, Britney looks really pretty."

by WireImage

Spears later picked up her second award for best pop video, also for "Piece of Me." "I'm speechless," chirped the pop star as she offered thanks to manager Larry Rudolph, who accompanied Spears to the show, and her fans.

And finally, she was equally succinct in her Video of the Year Award acceptance speech.

"Wow. I'm in shock right now. I was not expecting this!"

Other winners of the show are: (photos by WireImage)

Chris Brown (Best Male Video for With you)

Linkin Park (Best Rock Video for Shadow of the day)

Lil Wayne (Best Hip Hop Video for Lollipop)

Pussycat Dolls (Best Dancing for When I Grow Up)

and Tokio Hotel (Best New Artist's Video for Ready, Set, Go)

Host With The Most

Host Russell Brand seemed to stun the audience with his high-minded, political comedy, making jokes at the expense of President George Bush ("In England, George Bush wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors") and remarks about nominees the Jonas Brothers and their purity rings. His remarks caused a bit controversy, and the host was forced to apologize later in the night.

An Assortment of Performers

One unique factor about this year's show: The diversity of performance spots.

by WireImage

The Jonas Brothers offered a stripped down, acoustic version of their song "Love Bug" on a city street set, before launching into an electric finale on a stage that was mobbed by adoring teenage fans.

by WireImage

Rockers Paramore performed from legendary rock club Whisky A Go Go, but were bested by Linkin Park for best rock video honors.

by WireImage

New mom Christina Aguilera also made an appearance. She slinked onto the stage, performing a techno-inspired remix of her hit "Genie In A Bottle" to promote her upcoming greatest hits album, which then segued into her new song "Keeps Gettin' Better."

by Wireimage

And Kanye West closed down the evening with an intense outdoor performance of an unreleased song before the stunned masses.

by People, MTV.com, WireImage and Getty Images.

It's Official! Britney Spears Will Appear At VMAs This Weekend

'I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated,' singer says.

Will she or won't she? For weeks, that's been the buzz, and some of the most hard-core Britney Spears watchers have weighed in with opinions about what an appearance at this weekend's VMAs might do for the singer's career.

Well, now it's official: Britney will appear at Sunday's VMAs, which take place at Paramount Studios in Hollywood and begin at 9 p.m. ET. Although the pop star will not be performing, she will open the show.

The singer — who has been nominated for many VMAs but has not yet won one — will be on hand to see if this year is her year. She's nominated for three awards: Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year for "Piece of Me."

"MTV has long played an important role in my career," Spears said in a statement. "How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated."

It's unclear exactly what Britney has up her sleeve, but based on the singer's previous VMA appearances (check out some of Britney's past VMA performances right here), it's sure to leave people talking.

"Britney has done everything from perform with a snake, lock lips with Madonna and prove that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas," said Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music/ LOGO/ Films Group. "I can't wait to see what she does to kick off this year's show."

(Check out video of Britney shopping for the VMAs in 1999, John Norris' recollections of visiting the singer in her Louisiana hometown that same year, and MTV News correspondent James Montgomery's predictions for a big Britney VMA win this weekend.)

Earlier this week, MTV News had some longtime Britney observers weigh in on whether the singer should appear at the awards, and nearly all of them agreed that, as in previous years, if she wants to make an impression, the VMAs is the place to do it.

"If you want to make a big splash," Carson Daly said, "what better platform than the VMAs?"

Perez Hilton agreed, saying that all Britney needs to do is show up and smile. "That's what people want," he said. "They want to see her smiling. Even if all she does is smile and wave, I say that's mission accomplished."

by MTV.com

Fans Nominate Britney Spears for Video Award

Photo by: John Shearer / Wireimage

Despite last year's disaster at the MTV Video Music Awards, Britney Spears has an invitation to return – from her fans.

The pop star was nominated in online voting for best female video for her Piece of Me at the 2008 VMAs.

Fans also nominated Katy Perry for I Kissed a Girl, Jordin Sparks for No Air, Rihanna for Take A Bow and Mariah Carey for Touch My Body.

The big question is whether Spears, 26, will make an appearance at show on Sept. 7 at Paramount studios in L.A. The singer will have to shake off her lackluster performance at the 2007 show in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, for best male video, fans nominated Lil Wayne for Lollipop, Usher for Love in this Club, Chris Brown for With You, Flo Rida for Low and T.I. for No Matter What.

Next week, voting opens online for Best Pop Video and Best Hip-Hop Video.