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

Britney's License Trial Stuck in Park

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

Try as she might, Britney Spears isn't driving away with a clean rap sheet just yet.

The judge tasked with deciding whether the singer will need to stand trial on a a misdemeanor count of driving without a license has once again postponed the inevitable, delaying for the last time (fingers crossed) his ruling on whether Spears will be heading back to court.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James A. Steele was supposed to decide during a pretrial hearing today whether a trial was merited for Spears' August 2007 hit-and-split incident, but he rescheduled until Sept. 16—coincidentally, the same day mama Lynne Spears' memoir, Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World, is due out.

Could be a banner day for the ladies Spears. Or not.

Britney Spears, who has been on her best behavior of late, seemed unconcerned with any court dates over the holiday weekend as she made the rounds in Las Vegas.

Spears' attorney Michael Flanagan has long been a proponent of dismissing the case, and today's scrapped hearing was the latest in several postponements. Just last month the pretrial hearing was delayed while Spears worked on her mental-health fitness.

Flanagan blames the ongoing saga a result of Spears' celebrity, arguing that she was in possession of a valid Louisiana license when she dinged a parked car last year and that the incident should have come to a much swifter, not to mention less costly, resolution.

Source: E! Online

Britney's Home From Vegas!

After her Labor Day weekend in Las Vegas, (including lounging by the pool at BARE in the Mirage, and Cirque Du Soleil show LOVE) Britney is finally home in L.A. after her private jet touched down late this morning.

Britney, accompanied by her security guard Lee and assistant Brett, was seen exiting the plane in a blue polo and jean short shorts.

Glad she's home safe and sound! Next trip: VMAs!

Source: Breathe Heavy/PoB

Britney Spears Brings The Sexy To Sin City

Here are a few pics of the AMAZING looking Britney Spears showing off her bangin’ bikini body poolside at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas, NV over the weekend. Brit Brit was joined by a few members of her entourage which included a couple of pretty hawt lookin’ dudes (who might be employees, friends or other) …
… unfortch, a shady person from her past was also spotted in Vegas over the weekend, creepin’ around where Britney was trying to relax, sparking rumors that she and he are still involved:

Just as things looked to be getting better for troubled Britney Spears it appears she has reunited with her badboy former lover Adnan Ghalib. The popstar is taking a break in Las Vegas before before attending the MTV Video Awards later this week. And she has been showing off her newly svelte figure, looking better than ever as she relaxed by the pool in a tiny bikini before heading out in a slim fitting sundress. But also in the city is Birmingham paparazzi Adnan, who has been accused of having ulterior motives by Britney’s father Jamie. The 36-year-old has barely been seen with Britney since she was hospitalised for psychiatric treatment in January. But despite Britney’s father’s staunch disapproval of Adnan, the pop star is understood to have started seeing Adnan again, TMZ.com reported. However sources claim the two haven’t got back together for purely romantic reasons - Britney is apparently terrified Adnan has an explicit video of her, filmed during the couple’s brief trip to Mexico in January. “Britney’s really scared that Adnan has a sex tape,” an insider told MailOnline last month. “She wants to get it out of his hands.” Britney’s father, who is still her legal custodian following a legal order earlier this year is said to have made his dislike of Adnan obvious. “Britney’s father can’t stand Adnan,” said the source. “He thinks he’s seedy, with ulterior motives.”

Uh, yeah … I think he’s seedy, too … I never liked him at all. He seemed hardly much better than that creep Sam Lutfi. I SINCERELY hope that Britney is not secretly seeing Adnan anymore … it would just break my heart to see her undo all of the amazing progress that she’s made in the past few months. I say no, they aren’t together and Adnan is just trying everything he can to get near her … but, I guess we really don’t know. Do any of y’all think she might still be creepin’ around with Ghalib?

Source: Pink Is The New Blog

Brit Works Her Magic In Vegas

The following italicized article is from www.thesun.co.uk:

BRITNEY SPEARS has taken another giant leap forward on her comeback journey – thanks to her choice of elegant evening and bikini wear in Las Vegas.

The singer donned a gorgeous brown dress and heels for a night out in Sin City at the weekend, during which she took in a performance of Cirque Du Soleil show Love.

Looking back to her best, a relaxed Britney strolled through the Mirage hotel with the same sexy confidence that won fans over in the first place.

And she was back on fine form yesterday as she lounged about in a skimpy bikini with pals in the scorching Vegas sun.

A prime spot was cordoned off for the singer and her perfectly-toned entourage at the hotel, enabling her an uninterrupted spell of sun worshipping.

It's alright for some...

Source: The Sun

Britney's Sin City Labor Day Getaway

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

After Kevin Federline picked up the kids Saturday, Britney Spears jetted to Las Vegas for the holiday weekend, where her photographer ex-beau Adnan Ghalib also happened to be enjoying himself.

After touching down in a private jet, Brit headed to the Mirage Hotel and Casino, where she and her entourage (including hairdresser Kim Vo) had a luxury villa with a private pool. But instead she chose to sun herself at the Bare Pool Lounge in the VIP area.

“She was in her bikini and looked awesome," an onlooker tells E! News. "She looked really thin and happy."

Britney also took in the hotel's Cirque du Soleil show, Love, on Saturday night with her bodyguard and her assistant Brett. But did she ever meet up with Adnan?

Although the paparazzo was seen walking through the lobby of the Mirage, the two weren't seen together.

Source: E! Online

Brit's Court Date Moved Back

The following italicized article is from www.x17online.com:

Britney Spears has been waiting since last year to find out the fate of her driver's license - but it looks like the judge is going to make her wait a little bit longer!

Our courthouse source reports that Judge James Steele has decided to push the preliminary hearing in the pop singer's case - originally scheduled for today - back to September 16th. At least Judge Steele's got a good reason to delay the hearing - he's reviewing the case and the accompanying statutes to determine whether or not to send it to trial. Depending on how he sees things, the case might get thrown out entirely!

Of course, Brit will still have to face the music if he decides the case should go to trial - currently still on schedule for mid-October. We certainly hope it doesn't come to that!

We'll keep you updated...

Source: X17

Should Britney Spears Get A VMA Do-Over? Perez Hilton, Carson Daly, Others Weigh In

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

[Editor's note: Even though we work for the same company, at press time we honestly do not know whether Britney will be appearing at the VMAs this weekend.]

Should Britney get a do-over?

Last year at this time, people were primed for Britney Spears to make a comeback, which was to be heralded by a Video Music Awards performance to top all others. We all know how that turned out.

All that comeback talk was a bit premature when Britney was still on the edge as far as her mental health was concerned. But now that she appears to be on the mend and is recording a new album, how can she rebuild her career? And should appearing or performing at this year's VMAs play a part in that? Can this year's VMAs signify a true comeback, the one she was meant to have last year? And what does she need to do beyond that to remain on track? We asked a few key Britney-watchers what the pop princess should do to reclaim her throne.

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

"I think she should definitely show up," Perez Hilton said. "She's been nominated for several awards, and that's what entertainers do. Just her being there is an indication that she's getting back to normalcy."

"I would tell her, 'Get dolled up, look amazing, and just enjoy the show,' " said Jordan Miller, webmaster for Britney fan site BreatheHeavy.com.

"That's what people want," Hilton said. "They want to see her smiling. Even if all she does is smile and wave, I say that's mission accomplished."

Only if Spears is ready to pull off a truly memorable performance should she even think about getting back on the stage. "I don't think it's an option," said Ken Baker, E! executive news editor. "For her to perform doesn't make any sense right now. She doesn't have anything to sell."

Unless the product is herself — but Baker thinks she's doing a better job simply by getting her personal life back in order. "She doesn't need image rehab," he said. "And she's not ready to do a performance. She should wait. No offense to MTV, but she'll have other opportunities. It might be better timing to wait until her album is out, perhaps early next year."

"Don't perform unless you can be as good or better than you were back in the day," Hilton cautioned. "If it's not 110 percent ready and rehearsed, don't do it. You don't want a repeat of mediocrity."

Hilton suggested that once Britney is ready to perform, at the VMAs or otherwise, she ought to redo "Gimme More" with an entirely different routine. "This time, do it right," he said. "Have the hair looking good, wear something that fits, don't be allegedly drunk before you're onstage, know your choreography, don't be lethargic and take it seriously." He doesn't expect her to sing live, but if she can manage an effective lip synch, that would be just enough, he said, to make people think, "This is how it should have been done."

"It doesn't matter what song she does, as long as it's memorable," said TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin. "If she does 'Gimme More' and does a good job, that could work. If she does a cameo in someone else's performance, that could work too. Whatever she chooses has to be something she can pull off."

In order to pull it off, however, she needs to figure out something that might take more than a week's worth of rehearsals. "Forget about what dress to wear or her weight, because those things come later," Daly said. "This is more than a makeover."

What if Britney nailed a VMA performance? The whole debate over whether she should appear, not appear, perform, not perform, open the show, not open the show is beside the point. "What does all that really buy her?" he asked. "How long does that last?"

While our memories of VMA performances often outlast our memories of the actual winners, ultimately Britney needs to figure out if she's running a sprint or a marathon.

"Remember the 'Rocky' where Sylvester Stallone had to go to a log cabin in Siberia to find himself again?" Daly asked. "He was chopping down trees and running in the snow to rediscover why he was a fighter. Someone needs to take Britney to a studio in Siberia and ask her, 'What are you doing? What kind of story do you want to tell in song?' And what if she wrote a song that was actually moving?

"She really needs to figure out if she's passionate about music," he continued. " 'Gimme and 'Piece of Me' are club records that are here today, gone tomorrow. People love those beats, but she's got to start again. She needs to work on her voice and do some serious self-examination. I'd love to see her do away with the choreography, stand up there in an elegant gown, with light accompaniment from a band or strings, and sing from the heart."

"I don't want a lot of ballads, OK?" Hilton countered. "I don't want it to be too deep. I don't want Britney writing her own songs. I think that's a bad idea."

"You don't want her to evolve too much," Baker said. "That would be a round peg in a square hole. Her voice has a certain range. Her style has a certain range. But lyrically, she should have more depth. And her album is going to have a lot of personal experiences on it, some intense things that reflect her life. But a lot of it will be the traditional Britney escapist bubblegum dance pop that she's known for. She shouldn't venture too far out of that. She can't run around in a schoolgirl outfit, that page has turned, but her art doesn't have to be a mirror. That would be depressing. You don't want songs about Britney being in a mental ward."

Levin thinks Britney's career as an entertainer won't be in music as much as it used to be — she'll still record and put out albums, he predicted, but she'll be more focused on television. "She was pretty funny on 'How I Met Your Mother,' " he said. "If she finds the right vehicle to be funny and charming, the endearing qualities that we're looking for, that could really change her career."

The pop-music scene doesn't hold much of a future for the singer as she gets older and her competitors keep getting younger. "She's not 17 anymore," Levin said. "And there's more longevity in something like television."

"She should branch out with something new," Miller said. "Definitely not a movie. Maybe a clothing line, where it's not so super-huge that it would monopolize her time."

Whichever part of her career she focuses on, she better get ready to promote it, since the marketing plan for Blackout suffered from her lack of involvement. "It's insane for an artist of her caliber to release an album and only grant one interview," Hilton said. "And an interview where she barely speaks at that. She needs to do what's involved — do interviews, do a tour — unless she's not ready to be away from the kids, and then don't do it. Don't release it until you're ready to promote it."

"She needs to take every interview, come with half the people she normally does, show up on time — no, show up early — and start having candid conversations," Daly said. "She doesn't have to answer every question, but she can own what happened to her and shift it to be about where she is now."

"If she does just one big, splashy interview with Oprah or Diane Sawyer or Barbara Walters, it feels calculated, like too much in too little time," Levin said. "People could write books on what she went through. So to just do one interview almost trivializes it. And to do all of them is almost a bloodletting. So maybe don't do the interviews. Keep the mystery. Speak when you want to. Why does she have to say she's back? It would be better if other people are saying it, not her."

Several suggested that she do it symbolically, by using a phoenix motif to signify where she is — she burned out, but she's rising from the ashes. It could be used as an album title or cover art or her eventual Web site redesign.

But whatever she chooses, the important thing is that it will be her choice. With the conservatorship slated to end by the end of the year, Spears is about to get back her own decision-making powers. Unless she has another turn for the worse, she'll get "the keys to the car," as Levin put it. Though her problem before was that she refused to listen to advice, she appears to be listening now, and that's what's getting her back on track.

"This woman had a hugely serious problem, a life-threatening problem," Levin said. "And they've been keeping her busy as a short-term strategy. They're not thinking way into the future. They just want to keep her productive and relevant."

Beyond career goals, everyone agreed that Britney has to put her personal life first — because without improvement on that front, all the plans for her future and possible VMA appearances mean nothing.

"Everything she did before tells me she was looking externally for love, acceptance and approval," Hilton said. "It tells me she was feeling empty. So hopefully she feels now like she has self-worth and life has meaning. But she needs to stay under the guidance of a doctor and have therapy several times a week. Because more important than anything, she really needs to determine for herself who Britney Spears is."

Source: MTV

Britney’s Las Vegas Weekend

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

Britney Spears spent the weekend in Las Vegas, and the pop star was more about sun than sin.

Just a week after ex-husband Kevin Federline enjoyed himself at several clubs in Sin City, Britney spent her Vegas weekend mainly poolside.

Britney flew into Vegas on Saturday on a private jet and went to her posh villa at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, People reported. Her exclusive villa reportedly had its own private pool.

On Sunday, rather than stay secluded, Brit reportedly hit up Bare Pool, sipping on bottled water and taking in the Vegas sun in the VIP area.

“Her body looked great,” an onlooker told the mag. “It looks like she’s getting her body back, back to the old Britney.”

Brit, who was accompanied by a group of friends that included hairstylist and “Shear Genius” judge Kim Vo, reportedly stayed at the pool hotspot for around an hour.

Brit may have been looking for a getaway in Vegas but a familiar face, ex-boyfriend and photographer Adnan Ghalib, was also spotted at the Mirage.

The paparazzo and Brit did not see each other, but they were reportedly within several yards of each multiple times over the weekend.

Brit rounded out the weekend with a stop by to Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s “Love,” Sunday night before heading back to her private villa.

Source: Access Hollywood

Britney Spears - Surprise VMA Performance?

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

Britney Spears breaks out her bikini and hangs out pool-side with her entourage at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas on Monday.

The 26-year-old singer showed off her body in a private cabana area reserved only for her and her friends.

Fox News is reporting that Brit-Brit is having a private dressing room prepared for the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend. Nobody at MTV is officially confirm this, however. Larry Rudolph, Brit’s manager, has said that his client was never slated to perform.

Source: Just Jared

Toned, Happy & Smiling! We're Liking The New Britney!

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

Britney Spears wasted no time in showing off her bikini body, as she lounged by a hotel pool in Las Vegas over the weekend. The pop princess, who has been getting steadily back in shape, flaunted her flat stomach and toned muscles as she sunbathed at the Mirage's Bare Pool.

Wearing her favorite "Love Kills" white bikini and oversized shades, the 26-year-old singer chatted to pals and sipped on water as she soaked up the rays. A security team kept a careful eye on Britney, whose conservator father Jamie was nowhere in sight.

"Britney seemed to be having a great time," one onlooker said. "She looked so fit and healthy, in great shape - just like the old Britney. "She's clearly come a long way since her troubles earlier in the year."

Source: Splash News Online

Britney Strips Off In Las Vegas

The following italicized article is from www.thesun.co.uk:

BRITNEY SPEARS slipped back into her favourite type of clothing over the weekend - a bikini.

The singer is frequently pictured chilling out in her array of two-pieces - this time however it was on a sunshine break in Las Vegas.

Flanked by a group of female pals, Britney was spotted sunbathing poolside by her hotel pool before going on a shopping trip with a couple of fellas.

Reportedly her ex, Brit pap ADNAN GHALIB, was also in Vegas at the same time - but it's doubtful the former couple met up.

She's having too much fun without him...

Source: The Sun

Britney Backstage At The Beatles Love By Cirque Du Soleil

The Beatles Love cast member Hassan El Hajjami (L), speaks with singer Britney Spears and guests at The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Source: Singersroom

Brit Throws Us a Curve

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

The only labor Britney Spears has been involved in over the last few years involves child birth. Nonetheless, she kicked back at the Mirage in Las Vegas to celebrate. And she looks gooood.

Source: TMZ

Britney's Relaxing Vegas Weekend

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

One week after her ex husband Kevin Federline headed to Las Vegas, it was now Britney Spears's turn to hit Sin City this weekend.

Their visits to Vegas, however, couldn't have been more different. While Kevin Federline bounced around from several clubs last weekend, Spears's trip was more low-key, consisting mainly of relaxing by the pool and taking in a show over Labor Day weekend.

After arriving via private jet on Saturday night, Spears headed to her plush room at the Mirage Hotel and Casino's exclusive villas, complete with a private patio and private pool.

On Sunday, rather than staying by her private pool, Spears made her way to Bare Pool where she sipped Fiji bottled water and sunned in the VIP area.

"Her body looked great," an onlooker said. "It looks like she's getting her body back, back to the old Britney."

Staying an hour and a half, Spears texted from her phone and rarely moved from her lounge chair, getting up only to take a quick dip in the pool. Wearing a bikini top and jean shorts, Spears hung out with a group of friends that included her hairstylist Kim Vo.

While Spears basked in the high Vegas heat, a familiar face meandered through the Mirage – her ex boyfriend, photographer Adnan Ghalib. The paparazzo and Spears did not see each other in public though they were within a few yards of each other several times.

After lounging by the pool, Spears made a quick run to Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and headed to her room for several hours. She later took in Cirque du Soleil's Love show before calling it a night.

The singer, who recently appeared in ads for the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards, is rumored to make an appearance on the Sept. 7 show. Spears is nominated for three Moonmen this year – video of the year, best female video and best pop video for "Piece of Me."

Source: People