Britney Spears won big at Sunday’s 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, taking home three awards, including Video of the Year. She kicked off the show with Superbad’s Jonah Hill in a pre-taped skit, where he tried to teach her some relaxation techniques. See Video HERE! He ordered her to close her eyes. When she did, he leaned in and tried to kiss her. “What is your deal?” she shrieked. “I care about the VMAs being good,” he replied in the humorous skit. See photos of the best dressed stars at the VMAs.
After the segment, Spears, in sexy, sparkly halter dress, walked on stage as her hit “Baby One More Time” blared. The audience stood and applauded. “Thank you so much,” she told the crowd. “Thank you for all the love. This is the 2008 Video Music Awards, and it starts right now.” See Video HERE!!! Spears then playfully stuck out her tongue, and Rihanna hit the stage and performed her hit “Disturbia.”
After a quick opening by host Russell Brand — he urged the crowd, “Please elect Barack Obama,” and called President Bush a “retarded cowboy fella” — Spears returned to the stage again to collect her first ever “moonman” for Best Female Video for “Piece of Me.” “I’m speechless. Oh, my goodness, thank you!” an elated Spears told the crowd. “I first wanna thank God for blessing me like this. My family … my two beautiful boys for inspiring me everyday.” She later took home the award for Best Pop Video, saying she was “speechless” and thanking her longtime manager, Larry Rudolph. She closed out the night by winning Video of the Year. “I’m in shock right now,” she said. “I want to dedicate this to all my fans.”
After last year’s performance at the VMAs, the pressure was on Britney Spears to shine like she used to. According to the assembled celebs, the Britster’s star was shining as bright as ever.Out on the red carpet before the show, attendees told OK! they were excited to see Britney perform and do well.
“I think she’s going to kill it,” said DJ AM. “I’m very excited for her. I’m a fan – haven’t seen her in a while because she’s been in the gym doing push-ups and she’s going to come out and blow everybody away.” Def Jam founder Russell Simmons was also optimistic and hopeful for Brit, telling OK! the pop star deserves to do well. “I hope she blows it up. She’s worked so hard. They’re so mean to her. They’re so hard on her.”