MTV News

Britney Spears And The VMAs: Look Back At Nine Years Of Memorable Moments

Posted: 06 Sep 2008 09:59 AM PDT

Since 1999, the pop princess has stolen the show with stripteases, sexy moves and awkward appearances.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears and Madonna lock lips at the 2003 VMAs
Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

If anybody knows how to make a splash at the VMAs, it's Britney Spears. Over the past nine years she's dazzled us with stripteases, barely there outfits and some of the finest reptilian-accessorized dance moves ever to grace an MTV stage. With Britney's 2008 VMA appearance looming on the horizon, we here at MTV News want to take a few moments to reminisce about her finest moments on the show.

Before her first VMA appearance in 1999, an anxious 17-year-old Spears went shopping for the big event with MTV News correspondent Serena Altschul, finally picking a sparkly, black Todd Oldham number. Little did we know how important Brit's wardrobe choices would later become. She changed into a body-hugging black belly shirt and pants to team up with fellow teen dreams 'NSYNC for their classroom-themed performance of " ... Baby One More Time" and "Tearin' Up My Heart."

The following year, Britney made another fashion statement. While covering the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction," Spears was apparently unsatisfied with her tuxedo. So, when it was time to switch over to "Oops ... I Did It Again," she ripped it off to reveal a flesh-colored outfit that left very little to the imagination.

Spears tried to top that striptease in 2001, giving us three different moments to remember. In a promo for the show, she agreed to teach host Jamie Foxx some of her moves, and the two got down to Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell." Things got weirder on the red carpet, when she met Mick Jagger, who appeared not to know who she was. But our own Kurt Loder made Brit happy by pointing out that Keith Richards' daughter was a huge fan of hers. Of course, the main event that year was her sultry performance of "I'm a Slave 4 U," for which she draped herself in a python and slithered around a steamy garden setting, surrounded by dancers in zebra and tiger outfits. The whole affair pleased teenage boys everywhere, but left PETA very angry.

Not all of Britney's moments have been about sexing up the show. In 2002, she donned a dominatrix costume, presented Michael Jackson with a birthday cake and referred to him as the "artist of the millennium." Michael thought that meant he was receiving some new Artist of the Millennium award and gave an acceptance speech, turning what was supposed to be a sweet birthday celebration into one memorable moment.

This paved the way for what would be Britney's most provocative VMA performance yet: Her now infamous 2003 kiss with Madonna, who also kissed Christina Aguilera, during "Like a Virgin." The lip-lock shocked and amused everyone in the audience, including Spears' ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake.

In 2006, a pregnant Britney made her tamest VMA appearance via video, as she and Kevin Federline presented the award for Best R&B Video. At the time, she and K-Fed were happily married and expecting their second son. It was only a matter of time before that all came crashing down.

Last year's "Gimme More" fiasco is still fresh in everyone's memories, and the events of Spears' life since then made many wonder if yet another hyped Britney comeback was wise this year. But the pop princess appears to be getting back on her feet at last, and she has three VMA nods at stake this year (she's come home empty-handed after her previous 16 nominations). We're keeping our fingers crossed that the former VMA queen can dazzle us the way she used to.

Now that you've helped us pick the nominees for this year's Video Music Awards, head to VMA.MTV.com to vote for your favorite in the Best New Artist category, check out the latest additions to the performer and presenter lineups, see the best (and worst) of VMA fashion and much more. Then tune in this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET for MTV News' "Opening Act" on the red carpet, followed by the big show, live from Hollywood at 9 p.m. ET.

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Jonas Brothers Fans Lie In Wait For Their Big VMA Moment

Posted: 06 Sep 2008 04:48 AM PDT

Meet the dedicated girls who camp out for every Jonas TV event they can.
By Jennifer Vineyard

Jonas Brothers fans wait for their idols
Photo: John Shearer/ WireImage

HOLLYWOOD — A line of girls has formed at Van Ness and Lemon Grove, outside Paramount Studios, home of the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. Blankets, towels and cushions are strewn across the sidewalk to make the concrete more comfortable. It's not yet noon on Saturday (September 6), but these dedicated fans don't seem to mind, because no wait is too long to see the Jonas Brothers.

"When you're a Jonas fan, you have to go to everything," Kayla Palmer explained to MTV News. "And I've been here since 3 a.m."

"I've seen them over 25 times," said Amanda Adamcyzk, who ditched her job at an insurance company to stand in line.

"We've slept over at 'Ellen,' 'Jay Leno,' 'Jimmy Kimmel,' everywhere," Jenna Lederer said, listing recent Jonas TV appearances.

These are not your average Jonas fans. The way they see it, if you're not here, you're an amateur, and they are the pros. "There's a big difference," asserted Maurissa Gomez, who skipped her shift at an Islands restaurant in Orange County to be here. For her, being a Jonas fan is an even better job — just one she doesn't get paid for.

And they do have a job: They'll be in the audience for the Jonas Brothers' VMA performance on Paramount's "Brooklyn" back lot, and their enthusiasm is needed during the band's rehearsal at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

"We weren't even told what we'd be doing," Adamcyzk said. "Just that there might be running involved, so we had to wear comfortable shoes, and we might get to see them."

Thanks to their dedication, many of these girls have had the chance to interact regularly with their idols in a way that most fans don't. They'll gladly drive for hours, fly around the state and skip work or family vacations to be in the audience for any Jonas Brothers television show or awards performance that needs it, so long as Joe, Nick or Kevin acknowledges their existence.

"Sometimes, they do invite you to private parties afterwards," Diana Maaz said.

"We don't miss any events, even if it's three in a day," Palmer said. "Because they do notice you. They know who you are. And as long as they see you, if they point to you or smile or laugh, then, OK, I'm happy."

"That's their way of saying 'Hi' to us," Adamcyzk said. "You just want to have that moment, to know you have that connection."

"I remember the first time, Kevin winked at me," Lederer said, "so now he's my favorite. I know he winks at everybody, but that just made my night, that he winked at me. He's a major winker, but he's my Jonas."

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