She did it again – but this time, she did it right!
Britney Spears, after a lip-syncing, bloated, zombie-like appearance at last year’s MTV Video Music Awards, returned looking trim and sexy last night to the annual gala.
And while she left the singing to others, the stormy songstress ended up with a sweet sweep – snagging three top prizes, including Video of the Year..
Slated to kick off the show but not to perform, Spears’ appearance was the most highly buzzed-about event of the 25th anniversary VMAs at Hollywood’s Paramount Pictures Studio.
After a somewhat awkward pre-taped dressing-room skit with Jonah Hill from “Pineapple Express,” cameras followed the pop princess walking out from backstage to a standing ovation.
The blond mom-of-two was as pretty as a disco ball in a Vegas-suitable, knee-length, sparkling silver dress, but delivered four sentences, shielding her lower face with her microphone.
“Thank you so much. Thank you for all the love. I’m here tonight to celebrate a very important birthday, the 25th anniversary of the VMAs. This is the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and it starts right now.”
And that was it – not a single note, but she stole the show anyway.
Spears picked up her first-ever Moonman awards last night as her song “Piece of Me” won Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year.
No longer dazed and confused, Spears looked stunningly healthy. She didn’t mess up any lines and was wide awake, giving her fans hope for a real comeback.
The VMAs have often been a showcase for Britney, since her debut in 1999 at age 17 performing “Baby One More Time,” with *NSYNC.
In 2000, the onetime Mouseketeer stripped to a nude-colored, crystal-dotted outfit; in 2001, she danced with a python draped around shoulders; and in 2003, she and Madonna kissed after a version of “Like a Virgin.”The show was hosted by the Brit comic Russell Brand, 33, who is largely unknown in the US.
He urged everyone to vote for Barack Obama and said Sarah Palin was a VILF – a vice president he’d like to “fondle.”
E-mail at marymhuhn@nypost.com