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Troubled Spears opens MTV awards Spears' MTV 'comeback' is panned
(about 4 hours later)
Embattled singer Britney Spears gave her first major performance in three years at the MTV Video Music Awards, dressed in a sparkly bra and briefs. Troubled star Britney Spears has given her first major performance in three years at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Billed as "her long-awaited comeback", the 25-year-old gave a lacklustre rendition of her new single Gimme More. But the 25-year-old, who was dressed in a sequinned bikini and knee-high boots, was widely panned for her lacklustre performance of Gimme More.
She moved slowly around the stage while appearing to mime to a backing track. Teenage R&B star Rihanna and pop singer Justin Timberlake were the big winners at the event in Las Vegas, with Timberlake taking home four awards.
It follows a troubled 12 months, during which she was admitted to rehab after shaving her head in public, following the collapse of her second marriage. Rihanna won the video of the year award for her hit song Umbrella.
She blew it... It was so bad. It was painful. It was embarrassing. And I loved it Perez Hilton, celebrity blogger
Spears - who was not nominated for any award - performed her new single Gimme More, a dance track produced by Danja, a protege of hip-hop producer Timbaland.
Her performance has been widely criticised, with onlookers saying she badly mimed her way through the song, seemed uncomfortable on stage, and looked out of shape.
The BBC's David Willets said Spears' performance would hit the headlines "for all the wrong reasons".
He said: "She looked really out of sorts. she looked as though she completely lost the art of lip-synching.
"This will be a performance which, I think, will go down in the history books as being one of the worst to grace the MTV awards."
Celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton said: "She blew it. Everybody knows Britney lip-synchs, but that's because she dances so much.
"She barely even danced in this. It was so bad. It was painful. It was embarrassing. And I loved it!"
Timberlake was the night's biggest winner, collecting four prizes
Her performance followed a troubled 12 months, during which she was admitted to rehab after shaving her head in public, following the collapse of her second marriage.
Spears put her music career on hold in 2004 when she married Kevin Federline and gave birth to two children.Spears put her music career on hold in 2004 when she married Kevin Federline and gave birth to two children.
Last month the pair completed their divorce, but are still facing a battle for custody of their sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, who turn two and one respectively this week.Last month the pair completed their divorce, but are still facing a battle for custody of their sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, who turn two and one respectively this week.
Low-key return
Britney Spears' ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, was named best male artist at the ceremony at Palms Casino, Las Vegas. The female artist of the year award went to Fergie.
Justin Timberlake was named as best male artistRihanna won Monster Single of the Year and best video for her hit Umbrella, and Beyonce and Shakira won Most Earth-shattering Collaboration for Beautiful Liar.
The best new artist gong went to Gym Class Heroes, and best group was Fall Out Boy.
Britney - who was not nominated for any award - performed Gimme More, a dance track produced by Danja, a protege of hip-hop producer Timbaland.
It was premiered on the website of New York radio station Z100 earlier this month.
Her last single, Do Somethin', was released in 2005. It reached 100 in the Billboard charts in the US and number six in the UK.Her last single, Do Somethin', was released in 2005. It reached 100 in the Billboard charts in the US and number six in the UK.
In May, the singer made a low-key return to the stage, playing a series of Southern Californian venues under a pseudonym, The M&Ms. The song, which stayed at number one in the UK charts for 10 weeks, also took the single of the year award, beating Beyonce, Timberlake, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse.
New generation
"Wow - video of the year," said Rihanna. "This was definitely the most important one for me of the night... the most unexpected for me."
Timberlake said: "It's just exciting to see a new generation of artists really doing it, and doing it well.
"I think music is in a great place right now because we're all doing what we want to do. So thank you for this award, MTV."
Other winners included Fergie, who was named best female artist, while Beyonce and Shakira took most earth-shattering collaboration for Beautiful Liar.
The best new artist gong went to Gym Class Heroes, and best group were Fall Out Boy.
Rapper Kanye West threw a tantrum in front of waiting media after missing out on all five awards he was nominated for.
"That's two years in a row, man... give a black man a chance," West said, stomping around his entourage and directing his comments at a reporter.
"I'm trying hard, man, I have the... number one record, man."
West, who gatecrashed the stage at the MTV Europe Awards after failing to win the prize for best video, said he never will return to MTV.