Britney Wins Big at the VMAs

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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

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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."

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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

Britney, Jonas Brothers, PCD Up for VMA Video of the Year

Photo by: Maury Phillips / WireImage, Scott Gries / Getty

Britney Spears may have had a tough time at last year's Video Music Awards, but she'll have a chance to redeem herself this year.

She is up for the show's top honor – video of the year – for "Piece of Me." The video was also nominated by the singer's fans for best pop video and best female video.

Other nominees in the category include the Jonas Brothers for "Burnin Up," Chris Brown's "Forever," the Pussycat Dolls' "When I Grow Up," and the Ting Tings' "Shut Up and Let Me Go."

The nominees for best rock video were also announced: Fall Out Boys' "Beat It," Paramore's "Crush, Crush, Crush," Slipknot's "Psychosocial," Lincoln Park's "Shadow of the Day," and Foo Fighters' "The Pretender."

Should Spears win, this will be her first Moonman; the pop star has been nominated 16 times, but has never walked away with an award.

Since Spears filmed a promo for the awards with host Russell Brand, MTV has confirmed there is a possibility she will appear at the awards, in one way or another – but not whether she will perform. Last year, Spears delivered a universally panned performance of her song "Gimme More" at the VMAs.

The VMAs air live from Los Angeles on Sept. 7. on MTV.

by People

VIDEO: Britney's VMAs Promotional Spot

You can believe your eyes – that's really Britney Spears joking with MTV's Video Music Awards host Russell Brand in new ads for the upcoming show.

"You are Britney Spears, right? I'm not dreaming this am I," asks the British comedian in the ad, which also includes a 9,000-lb. elephant in the background.

"No, this is real," Spears assures the show's host – and pinches him to prove it.

In the second spot, Brand, who is well known in the U.K. but not in the U.S., presses Spears to remember his full name – which she doesn't.

"You will remember that name because I think pretty soon it's going to be your surname," he quips. "Britney Brand."

While MTV cannot confirm whether Spears will appear on the show airing on Sept. 7, Spears's promo appearance is a promising sign. The singer, who has been nominated 17 times, has yet to walk away with a win and is nominated for two this year. She is up for best female video and best pop video.

by People

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.