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Spears dominates MTV awards show Spears dominates MTV awards show
(about 6 hours later)
Singer Britney Spears has swept the board at the MTV Video Music Awards show in Los Angeles, collecting three prizes for her track Piece of Me.Singer Britney Spears has swept the board at the MTV Video Music Awards show in Los Angeles, collecting three prizes for her track Piece of Me.
The 26-year-old, whose performance at last year's ceremony was widely panned, thanked "God first and foremost for just blessing me like this".The 26-year-old, whose performance at last year's ceremony was widely panned, thanked "God first and foremost for just blessing me like this".
The other winners at the show in Hollywood included the Pussycat Dolls, Linkin Park, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown.The other winners at the show in Hollywood included the Pussycat Dolls, Linkin Park, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown.
And there were performances from Kanye West, Rihanna and Christina Aguilera.And there were performances from Kanye West, Rihanna and Christina Aguilera.
West left the ceremony - hosted by British comic Russell Brand - empty-handed.West left the ceremony - hosted by British comic Russell Brand - empty-handed.
He fell out with MTV after last year's show when he failed to win any prizes and had vowed never to perform at the awards again.He fell out with MTV after last year's show when he failed to win any prizes and had vowed never to perform at the awards again.
MTV MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS Best video: Britney Spears, Piece of MeBest pop video: Britney Spears, Piece of MeBest female video: Britney Spears, Piece of MeBest male video: Chris Brown, With YouBest rock video: Linkin Park, Shadow of the DayBest hip-hop video: Lil Wayne, LollipopBest dancing: Pussycat Dolls (pictured), When I Grow UpBest new artist: Tokio Hotel In pictures: MTV Awards 2008MTV MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS Best video: Britney Spears, Piece of MeBest pop video: Britney Spears, Piece of MeBest female video: Britney Spears, Piece of MeBest male video: Chris Brown, With YouBest rock video: Linkin Park, Shadow of the DayBest hip-hop video: Lil Wayne, LollipopBest dancing: Pussycat Dolls (pictured), When I Grow UpBest new artist: Tokio Hotel In pictures: MTV Awards 2008
And in 2006 he publicly complained about not winning best video at the MTV Europe awards.And in 2006 he publicly complained about not winning best video at the MTV Europe awards.
Spears has suffered a year of health problems and legal difficulties which saw her lose custody of her children, while her father James has taken legal control of her affairs.Spears has suffered a year of health problems and legal difficulties which saw her lose custody of her children, while her father James has taken legal control of her affairs.
Her video for Piece of Me won the main prize - video of the year.Her video for Piece of Me won the main prize - video of the year.
It beat Chris Brown's Forever, Burnin' Up by the Jonas Brothers, When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls and the Ting Tings' Shut Up and Let Me Go to the coveted prize.It beat Chris Brown's Forever, Burnin' Up by the Jonas Brothers, When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls and the Ting Tings' Shut Up and Let Me Go to the coveted prize.
The same promo also earned Spears the awards for best video by a female artist and top pop video.The same promo also earned Spears the awards for best video by a female artist and top pop video.
She had been nominated for MTV video awards 16 times before but had never won.She had been nominated for MTV video awards 16 times before but had never won.
"Wow, thank you, I'm in shock right now," she said as she collected her third and final trophy."Wow, thank you, I'm in shock right now," she said as she collected her third and final trophy.
"I was not expecting this. This is such an honor to have this award right now. I want to thank my fans. This is dedicated to you.""I was not expecting this. This is such an honor to have this award right now. I want to thank my fans. This is dedicated to you."
Presidential racePresidential race
Brand said the night marked the "launch of a very new Britney Spears era".Brand said the night marked the "launch of a very new Britney Spears era".
"Consider this the resurrection of Britney Spears," he said. "If there was a female Christ, it's Britney.""Consider this the resurrection of Britney Spears," he said. "If there was a female Christ, it's Britney."
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Footage from the 2008 MTV awardsFootage from the 2008 MTV awards
During his innuendo-laden opening monologue, Brand discussed the upcoming US presidential election, publicly backing presidential hopeful Barack Obama.During his innuendo-laden opening monologue, Brand discussed the upcoming US presidential election, publicly backing presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
"Some people, I think they're called racists, say America is not ready for a black president," he said."Some people, I think they're called racists, say America is not ready for a black president," he said.
"But I know America to be a forward-thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retarded cowboy fella be president for eight years."But I know America to be a forward-thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retarded cowboy fella be president for eight years.
"We were very impressed. We thought it was nice of you to let him have a go, because, in England, he wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors.""We were very impressed. We thought it was nice of you to let him have a go, because, in England, he wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors."
Last year's big winners were Justin Timberlake with four awards, including top male artist, and R&B star Rihanna, who won video of the year for Umbrella.Last year's big winners were Justin Timberlake with four awards, including top male artist, and R&B star Rihanna, who won video of the year for Umbrella.
The 2008 ceremony is being broadcast by MTV in the UK on Monday at 2100 BST.The 2008 ceremony is being broadcast by MTV in the UK on Monday at 2100 BST.