Hit us, Britney, one more time! One year after a disastrous
so-called comeback performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, ex-pop princess
Britney Spears is set to open Sunday’s 25th edition of the same
award ceremony. However, it was not disclosed what the singer has got up her
sleeve, as Britney Spears won’t be performing this time.
The pop star will kick off this weekend’s VMAs, which will
be held at Paramount Studios in Hollywood
and begin at 9.p.m. ET, according to MTV’s Web site.
MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler said on
Wednesday that the former teen icon’s act will be something “fun and
unexpected” on Sunday night’s show.
Sure hope it won’t be as unexpected as her catastrophic
comeback last year, when she floundered on the stage during her ceremony
opening performance of “Gimme More.”
In addition to her opening act, Britney Spears will be close
by in case she wins an award this year, as she has received three nominations
for the clip to her single “Piece of Me” – Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and
Video of the Year.
Nonetheless, how did the VMAs and Britney Spears come
together one more time? It seems that you can’t have one without the other.
“MTV has long played an important role in my career. 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,” the singer explained in a
statement.
“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.
“It feels like it’s her year,” he added. “It’s our 25th
anniversary of the VMAs, and she’s been such a critical piece of MTV’s
history.”
It makes us wonder: What will she do next?
The pop star has yet to put her hands on an MTV Video Music
Award, and her nominations this year are remarkably provoking after her
much-disparaged performance in 2007, which almost ruined her singing career.
However, Britney Spears seems to have finally cleared up her
life, as she has been working on a brand new album and, following a relatively
long period of custody battles, ruptures and major breakdowns, her relationship
with all her family members appears to be back on track. She even reached a
custody settlement with her ex-husband Kevin Federline and was granted extra
visits with her two kids.
MTV sure knows how to make the best of her recovery, since
she always won them gold ratings. Last year, the VMAs were up 23 percent
compared to 2006’s show.
The MTV VMAs will be broadcast live on MTV on September 7
and will be hosted by British comedian Russell Brand.
Up to now, the confirmed performances for Sunday’s ceremony
include the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, T.I., as well as Kid Rock.
Van Toffler nonetheless does not exclude the possibility of bringing
another pop icon that has been through many lows, too: Michael Jackson.
“We’ve been talking to him as well, I don’t know if that’s
going to happen,” Toffler said, according to The Associated Press. “People fall
in and fall out up until the day of the show.”
In the Video of the Year category, Britney faces tough
competition from the Jonas Brothers’ “Burnin Up,” Chris Brown’s “Forever,” The
Pussycat Dolls’ “When I Grow Up,” and the Ting Tings’ “Shut Up and Let Me Go.”
