Britney is kicking off the 2008 VMAs!

[*Heather*]

BUT it says she won't kick it off by performing. What do you think she'll do? It has to be something better than just standing there and saying "Welcome to the 2008 VMA's"....any guesses?

 

Britney Spears 'Excited' to Kick Off Video Awards

By Marisa Laudadio

 

Britney Spears will open the show at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, PEOPLE has learned.

 

"MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs?" Spears tells PEOPLE in a statement. "I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated."

 

Spears – who has been nominated 16 times and never won a Moon Man – is up for Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year for "Piece of Me."

 

It's still not known how she'll open the show. A source confirms that the opening segment will not feature a musical performance by Spears.

 

Adds MTV Networks Music President Van Toffler: "Britney has done everything from perform with a snake, lock lips with Madonna and prove that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas," he says, referring to her lackluster performance at the awards show in Sin City last year. "I can't wait to see what she does to kick off this year's show."

 

The VMAs air on MTV at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday from Los Angeles.

[jamisoncollette]

Who hoo! Can't wait to see what she pulls off!

[Sah]

Love Brittany!!

[KAMAY11]

I LOVE that Britney has started to out her life back together....

I bet she's going to be awesome at the VMA's this year...not like last year's performance!

[Jacqueline]

i never really liked or even disliked brit but i do hope she does good ;o) im excited for the awards.

[Yari]

I hope it's better than last years debacle.

 

I hope she has a great comeback!

[Sah]

I hope it all works out for Brittany. She's had a tough couple of years. Can't wait to see what happens!!

[MsShelley]

can't wait to see how this goes...

[Kristy!]

Didn't MTV learn their lesson from last year?

[*Heather*]

Just found this article to update...now I'm even MORE curious! I heard that Katy Perry is going to sing Like a Virgin this year so maybe Britney will come out and kiss her like she did with Madonna forever ago...that would be hilarious!

 

VMA Host Offers Clues About Britney Spears' Opening Act

 

Thursday September 4, 2008

 

Buzz up!British comic Russell Brand won't spill the beans on what exactly Britney Spears will do when she opens Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards.

 

But he'll tell you this much: "She's not serving canapés or doing a bizarre haircut on herself!" he said on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show Thursday.

 

"She's not performing, but she's certainly doing [the show] in a professional capacity," said Brand, 33, who serves as host.

 

Check out past outrageous VMA moments.

 

He admitted he has some tricks up his sleeve for the pop star.

 

"I might get the opportunity to pinch her back in revenge for the trailer," he joked, referencing their cheeky TV promo. "I know at some point I will try and pinch her!"

 

In a statement Wednesday, the 26-year-old singer — who suffered an embarrassing performance at last year's show — said she was "excited" about returning to the stage.

 

"MTV has long played an important role in my career," she said. "How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs?"

 

Spears, who has been nominated 17 times, is also up for three awards for her "Piece of Me" video.

 

Plenty of people will be rooting for her.

 

"She is so on her game and ready to prove to everyone that she is back," Lance Bass told Usmagazine.com at a Facebreaker bash in Hollywood on Wednesday. "She needs no advice from me - she is a seasoned professional."