I guess everyone remembers Britney Spears’ disastrous performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last year. Well, things looked clearly different this year, as the singer took home three awards.

"Thank you so much. Thank you for all the love," Spears said Sunday night after receiving a 20-second standing ovation before introducing the 25th-anniversary show broadcast live from Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old pop singer won statuettes in all three categories she was nominated for - video of the year, best pop video and best female video - all for the tune Piece of Me.

Chris Brown won best male video for With You. Linkin Park took home the best rock video for Shadow Of The Day, and Lil Wayne won the award for best hip hop video for Lollipop.

Best new artist honours went to Germany's Tokio Hotel, while Pussycat Dolls were awarded with best dancing in a video for When I Grow Up.

"I can't describe it in any words what we're feeling right now," said Tokio Hotel's singer Bill Kaulitz, thanking the band's fans all over the world.

Host British comedian Russell Brand, who starred in the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall, made several quips about the Jonas Brothers' abstinence pledge and his deep desire to have Barack Obama elected president.

The show featured live performances by Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Kid Rock, Pink, teen dreams The Jonas Brothers, rappers TI, Lupe Fiasco and Lil' Wayne and the rock band Paramore.

The show ended with a performance by Kanye West, who said last year that he would never again appear at the awards show after not winning any prizes. One of his videos won this year for best special effects.