Britney At Recording Studio

Britney is seen here lookin’ good while leaving recording studio.

Source: PoB

Britney Spears To Kick Off MTV VMAs

The following italicized article is from www.accesshollywood.com:

Britney Spears will kick off the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, the network announced on Wednesday.

And the pop star couldn’t be happier.

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

Britney, who has never won a VMA despite 16 past nominations, is up this year for Video of the Year, Best Pop Video and Best Female Video for her single “Piece of Me.”

However, following her highly criticized musical opener of “Gimme More” at last year’s VMAs, Britney will not open this year’s show with a performance.

Instead, MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler said it will be something “fun and unexpected” to kick off Sunday night’s show.

“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,” Toffler said, referring to last year’s uninspired number. “I can’t wait to see what she does to kick off this year’s show.”

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Britney taped a promo spot with VMA host Russell Brand, which features Brand and Britney, along with a very large, and overtly metaphorical elephant in the room.

The pachyderm performs tricks in the background as Britney and Brand joke about his less-than-household-name-in-America status.

The 25th MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday, September 7 at 9 PM EST.

Source: Access Hollywood

What's Going On With The VMAs?

It's been hard to keep track with all the reports, rumors and confirmations that came out about Britney's appearance at the VMAs... Here's the deal:

-Britney will NOT perform during the award show. She decided not to because she wants to concentrate on her new album and didn't have time in her schedule for rehearsals.

-Britney will present the nominees in the first category of the night accompanied by either Russel Brand or Micheal Phelps.

-According to my source, Britney will open the show, dancing a little bit for fun and pretending to start a performance. She'll then stop and just go on to present the award.

-Rumor has it that Brit's new single will be playing while she gets on stage. We'll see...

The only sad thing in all that is how MTV keeps using Britney for promotion. They make everyone excited, release statement to confuse us all and then, some fans come to expect too much... If Britney ends up not doing much during the show or whatever, they'll be mad at her when really, that's the only thing that was planned all the way. Of course, what MTV wants is to attract viewers. Because we all know that where Britney Spears goes, everyone follows.

Source: U Britney

Britney Spears Will Open The 2008 MTV VMAs

Woot! Woot! Even tho Britney Spears’s manager, Larry Rudolph, broke our hearts with the news that Britney Spears will not be performing at the 2008 MTV VMAs (despite reports to the contrary by the insidious hair stylist Kim Vo), MTV announced this afternoon that Britney WILL BE OPENING the VMAs this Sunday:

Britney’s back — for REALS — and honestly, we’re probably as amazed and eagerly anxious as you are. Except for those of you hardcore Britney fans who aren’t shocked at all; both Britney’s personal life and career have been on an upswing, and her just-announced appearance at this Sunday’s VMAs may be just the beginning of her total transformation after a chaotic, drama-filled year.

Brilliant. I’d've preferred that she perform but this is the perfect next best thing. I’m sure MTV has cooked up an ingenious way for Britney to get the party started … I can’t wait to see what they’ve got planned for us this Sunday night, Live! Amazing, amazing news … I just *know* it’s gonna be a moment NOT TO BE MISSED … just wait and see. What do y’all think about this great news?

Source: Pink Is The New Blog

Britney Spears Wins Video Of The Year -- And Other VMA Predictions, In Bigger Than The Sound

The following italicized article is from www.mtv.com:

On The Record: Commence The Nonsense

Picking a winner at the Video Music Awards is a lot like trying to comprehend Courtney Love's MySpace blog or explain this photo of Metallica's James Hetfield. It's impossible to do because it follows no discernable logic.

From the ever-evolving field of categories (Ringtone of the Year, you will be missed) to the methods by which the nominees and winners are selected, the VMAs have managed to spin a wholly singular world for themselves in which reality does not always apply. And in the process, they've also created a legacy that makes writing things like "2006 Video of the Year: Panic at the Disco's 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies,' " and "multiple-award winner Ricky Martin" possible.

Of course, it has also made for some fantastic things too — like some of the winners of Best Rap Video and Best New Artist. And this year, things are threatening to make even less sense than usual, because fans have done a lot of the picking (note: the Best New Artist poll is open until September 7), a move that has opened the awards to an even less reality-based realm: the world of online fandom. The results include things like Britney Spears — whose appearance at the VMAs was just announced — and the Pussycat Dolls landing Video of the Year nods, the Jonas Brothers and Tokio Hotel going head-to-head for Best Pop Video, and Danity Kane have as many nominations (two) as Rihanna and Mary J. Blige ... combined.

When I looked at this year's list of VMA nominees, I was confused — so, naturally, that meant I had to write a column about it. And since I am a glutton for punishment, I decided to try the impossible: apply some logic and attempt to predict the winners of the 2008 Video Music Awards. Please note that I have no advance knowledge of any VMA winners. The way 2008 is shaping up, maybe we'll just have everyone win.

BEST MALE VIDEO

Nominees
Chris Brown "With You"
Lil Wayne "Lollipop"
Flo Rida "Low"
T.I. "No Matter What"
Usher "Love in This Club"

Logic Would Dictate: Since T.I. went to the trouble to make a solid, simple (and really pretty powerful) video, he'd be the one to take home the Moonman.

But Illogically: Hey, Wayne's clip has half-naked dancers and a party bus in it! And it takes place in Vegas! And there's this one part where he sorta plays guitar, too! Plus he sold a million albums in a week! WOOOOOO!

So, The Winner Is: I'm gonna say that substance trumps style here and T.I. comes out on top. Of course, that means I will be wrong and Flo Rida will win. Also, did you know that in 1985, Bruce Springsteen won this award? That thud you just heard was me slamming my head against my keyboard.

BEST FEMALE VIDEO

Nominees
Mariah Carey "Touch My Body"
Katy Perry "I Kissed a Girl"
Rihanna "Take a Bow"
Jordin Sparks "No Air"
Britney Spears "Piece of Me"

Logic Would Dictate: Mariah's album and Jordin's solo career aren't exactly setting the world on fire, and Britney Spears is barely known as a recording artist anymore, so that's 60 percent of the category eliminated right there. It's really a toss-up between Rih-Rih, who's arguably the hugest pop star in the world right now, and Katy Perry, who, based on the ubiquity of "I Kissed a Girl" (seriously, it's like a zombie at this point — it cannot and will not be stopped until it feasts on your brains) is quickly becoming the Jonathan Stewart of the VMAs: She's a definite sleeper pick.

But Illogically: OMG, did you know Mariah and Britney have been nominated for something like 384 VMAs but neither of them has ever won an award?!?! These transgressions must be rectified!

So, The Winner Is: I think Britney gets her win later in the night, and Rihanna makes too much sense here, so hey, let's just go ahead and give it to Katy Perry. She kissed a girl, after all. And she liked it!

BEST DANCING IN A VIDEO

Nominees
Chris Brown "Forever"
Danity Kane "Damaged"
Madonna "4 Minutes"
Ne-Yo "Closer"
Pussycat Dolls "When I Grow Up"

Logic Would Dictate: I'm still trying to figure out why this category isn't called Best Dance Video anymore. Quickly realizing that the question is moot, I'll move on to the begrudging confession that this is a pretty solid field, and realistically, four of the five noms have a legitimate shot at winning here (sorry Ne-Yo). Perhaps the sympathy vote swings to Madonna, if only because she somehow managed to avoid shattering her hip in "4 Minutes" (five minutes might be a different story ...)

But Illogically: Chris Brown is hot! PCD and Danity Kane are hot! Everyone is hot! Advantage: Push.

So, The Winner Is: In a pinch, I'll say PCD. One of them can stick her leg straight up in the air. Which one? Does it even matter?

BEST ROCK VIDEO

Nominees
Fall Out Boy "Beat It"
Foo Fighters "The Pretender"
Linkin Park "Shadow of the Day"
Paramore "CrushCrushCrush"
Slipknot "Psychosocial"

Logic Would Dictate: Slipknot rock way harder than any of the other nominees here (probably more than all of them combined) and they made a killer video (that could probably actually kill you), so they win going away. However, do not discount the Foos wrangling the grizzled old dude (read: over 30) vote ... er, who am I kidding? Over-30s don't vote in these things!

But Illogically: FOB have Pete Wentz. Paramore have Hayley Williams. Linkin Park are arguably one of the 10 biggest rock acts on the planet (wait, that's actually logical). The Foo Fighters are old. Slipknot are too scary.

So, The Winner Is: Paramore. They've blasted out of nowhere and a win here is icing on the cake. Also, it's about time a female-fronted band won this award.

BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO

Nominees
Mary J. Blige "Just Fine"
Lupe Fiasco "Superstar"
Flo Rida "Low"
Lil Wayne "Lollipop"
Kanye West "Homecoming"

Logic Would Dictate: Mary J's video is completely batsh-- crazy, so it would be awesome if she won. Kanye could win, if only because show producers are probably hoping to avoid a full-blown hostage situation backstage. Weezy is probably the biggest name in hip-hop right now, so it would make sense for him to take home the Moonman. Also, Lupe Fiasco's name-recognition doesn't come close to any of the others here, so he's out.

But Illogically: Lupe is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper! He's the truest hip-hop cat in this category! He's got the cred and ... ah, who am I kidding?

So, The Winner Is: Wayne. This is his moment, even though I am 85 percent sure he's not even aware that he's living in it.

BEST POP VIDEO

Nominees
Danity Kane "Damaged"
Jonas Brothers "Burnin' Up"
Panic at the Disco "Nine in the Afternoon"
Britney Spears "Piece of Me"
Tokio Hotel "Ready, Set, Go!"

Logic Would Dictate: By far the most heated category of the night, particularly if you're a 13-year-old girl or a cat-hair-coated shut-in, Best Pop is either gonna go to the squeaky clean Jonas boys or the follically fabulous Tokio Hotel. For they are the Highlanders of tween pop, and there can be no other way.

But Illogically: Hey, Britney's in this category, and stranger things have happened. And the most illogical move would be to give this to Panic, so you can't count them out either.

So, The Winner Is: The Jonas Brothers. The unstoppable, hormonally charged train rolls on — which is a shame, because Tokio Hotel's acceptance speech could've been the most amazing thing of all time. Have you ever seen a porcupine-boychild weep with joy?

BEST NEW ARTIST

Nominees
Miley Cyrus "7 Things"
Katy Perry "I Kissed a Girl"
Jordin Sparks "No Air"
Taylor Swift "Tears on My Guitar"
Tokio Hotel "Ready, Set, Go!"

Logic Would Dictate: Miley, Miley, Miley. And more Miley. She's a ginormous, borderline frightening global brand at this point, and I actually like her song, so she'd be the logical, smart choice. Although Tokio Hotel fans are beyond fanatical, and since online voting is determining BNA, they might actually be the favorites here. Taylor Swift is legitimately talented, but hey, don't hold it against her, voters!

But Illogically: Jordin Sparks is a very nice, very sweet girl. She won "American Idol." People seem to like her. Her dad played in the NFL. So ... uh, did I mention Katy Perry likes kissing girls?

So, The Winner Is: I'm saying Miley, but it could very well be Tokio, too. Regardless, tweenage hearts will be broken.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Nominees
Chris Brown "Forever"
Jonas Brothers "Burnin' Up"
Pussycat Dolls "When I Grow Up"
Britney Spears "Piece of Me"
The Ting Tings "Shut Up and Let Me Go"

Logic Would Dictate: This is a category supposedly dedicated to honoring the most amazing, iconic video of the year, yet it features the Jonas Brothers, PCD and Britney Spears. (Also, three of the song titles have the word "up" in them. Wonder what that means ...?) Logic does not apply.

But Illogically: If you've been paying attention, you've probably heard that poor Britney has been nominated 19 times for a Moonman, but she's yet to win a single one. Add to that, the last few years have been rather rough on her. Redemption and validation: Can you think of two more compelling story lines to carry on through to the very last award of the night?

So, The Winner Is: In a year without a singularly iconic video, you've gotta give Video of the Year to the biggest icon in the group. So I'm picking Britney Spears to win. Partially because of everything I've just written, but also because I can't think of a more illogical way to cap off the night.

Source: MTV

Britney Spears To Open VMAs — CONFIRMED!

The following italicized article is from www.justjared.com:

Britney Spears will open the 2008 Video Music Awards, confirms MTV

“MTV has long played an important role in my career,” Britney says in a statement. “How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMA’s? I’m excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated.”

Although Brit Brit is kicking off this year’s VMAs, there will not be a performance. So what will it be? A surprise that should not to be missed!

Britney is nominated this year for Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year for “Piece of Me.”

The VMAs will air this Sunday, September 7th @ 9PM ET/PT on MTV.

How excited are you to see Britney open the VMAs?????

Source: Just Jared

Britney Opening The VMAs!

The following italicized article is from www.breatheheavy.com:

It's Britney, baby, one more time.

Despite her train-wreck performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last year, the network confirms Spears will kick off the show once again.

But it won't be a performance. Instead, MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler said Wednesday, it'll be something "fun and unexpected" on Sunday night's show.

Unexpected is probably the kindest way to describe Spears' performance at last year's VMAs. In what was heavily promoted as the troubled singer's comeback, she instead gave an unfocused, almost unwatchable performance of "Gimme More," one of the many lowpoints in her year of debacles.

So what made Spears and MTV reunite one more time?

"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," Spears said in a statement.

"I think for Britney, people are rooting for her, and she's really on the road to recovery," Toffler said, noting that MTV had nominated her for three VMAs, including video of the year, for her clip "Piece of Me."

"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."

Spears also equals ratings gold: Last year's VMAs were up 23 percent over the 2006 show.

In recent months, Spears, who's working on a new album, has appeared to have cleaned up her act. Her father James has been in control of her personal and professional matters as her legal conservator, and she drew high ratings and positive reviews when she made guest appearances on CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" earlier this year.

Source: MTV, Yahoo, Breathe Heavy

Britney Spears #19 In Maxim's Hot 100 Woman

#19 - Despite the wildest year of her career, shonky live performances and Peter Garrett hairstyles, Britters just manages to scrap into this year’s Top 20.

Source: FOX News

Lynne Spears: Sam Lutfi Is 'A Monster And A Predator'

With one daughter as a teen mother and another who suffered a breakdown and lost custody of her kids, it seems like a good idea that Lynne Spears doesn't release her "parenting" book.

Instead, the book has taken a different turn. The 53 year-old will soon be releasing a "tell-all" titled Lynne Spears: Through the Storm.The book, which comes out on September 16th, will portray Lynne as a wonderful mom and will show her defending herself against the criticism that she's failed as a mother.

An inside source tells In Touch Weekly, “She hates that people think she’s some horrible stage mom who pushed Britney and Jamie Lynn into stardom. In the book, Lynne writes that she never had any intention of profiting off her girls. She was only on the payroll when she was helping Britney with her fan club and web site.”

The source adds some information about Britney Spear as well, saying “Lynne dishes on Britney’s love life. She liked Kevin and even calls him a caring daddy. She just wishes they would have taken their relationship slower."

As for BritBrit's breakdown, the source adds, “It’s a mother’s worst nightmare. Her heart broke into a million pieces when she saw the look of despondency in Britney’s eyes.”

And what about daughter Jamie Lynn Spears? Seems momma Spears was upset about how she found out about the pregnancy.

The source says, “Lynne writes that they handed her a note. She was furious.” Though things have changed since the birth of the baby, and everything has been forgiven.

There is one person, though, that Lynne won't be forgiving, and that is Britney's former "manager", sleazeball Sam Lufti. The source says Lynne "makes Sam out to be a monster and a predator who took advantage of Britney when she was most vulnerable.”

And finally, after reading the book, the source says, “You really feel for Lynne. All she ever wanted was to raise a happy and healthy, loving family.”

Source: Perez Hilton

Adnan Hot on Britney's Tail -- Again

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Just when we had almost cleansed our memory of his existence, professional leech Adnan Ghalib ('memba him?) came within mere feet of thrusting himself back into Britney's life during a trip to Sin City a few days ago.

Brit's ex was seen roaming around the Mirage hotel over the weekend -- the same time Brit was showing off her slammin' bod at the hotel's topless pool. But Douchey Smurf claims he was only there to celebrate his own b-day -- and had no idea Britney was in the city -- proving once again, he's still smurfin' clueless.

Source: TMZ

Britney Spears: 'My Father Saved my Life'

The following italicized article is from www.contactmusic.com:

Troubled pop star BRITNEY SPEARS has credited her father JAMIE with saving her life - after he stepped in to help her following a series of breakdowns.

The toxic hitmaker was hospitalised at the beginning of this year (08) under a mental health order, and her father subsequently took over her legal and business affairs - becoming conservator of her estate.

Spears was also stripped of visitation rights to her two sons, but following several months under the guidance of her dad she has won back the right to see her children and is now working on a career comeback.

And Spears insists she will always be grateful to Jamie for helping her sort her life out.She tells British newspaper the Daily Star, "My father saved my life. I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. I've not always been a good daughter; but he basically gave up his job and his life to look after me at a time when I wasn't even sure I wanted to go on living.

"I owe him my life."

Source: Contact Music