Britney Spears Tops Winners of 2008 MTV Video Music Awards
The Pop star's "Piece Of Me" won three prizes, including best video of the year.
It was an MTV comeback of sorts for Britney Spears, who was the big winner at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. Her video for "Piece Of Me" took the prizes for best video of the year, best female video and best Pop video. This was the first year that Spears became a VMA winner; she had been nominated for several VMAs in previous years.
MTV telecast and webcast the 25th annual event live September 7 from Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. It was first time that the VMAs were held in Los Angeles since the 1998 show.
Despite Spears being the top winner at the show, her much-hyped return to the VMAs was underwhelming: It consisted of a pre-taped skit with Spears and "Superbad" star Jonah Hill trying to kiss her, and then Spears going onstage during the live show to do a quick introductory welcome to kick off the show. Her acceptance speeches were also brief and unremarkable; among those she thanked were her fans and family.
The 2008 MTV VMA show was hosted by British comedic actor Russell Brand, who played a Rock star in the 2008 film "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Brand made some provocative statements onstage, including demanding that people vote for Barack Obama; insulting President George W. Bush; and ridiculing (and later apologizing to) the Jonas Brothers for having promise rings that pledge virginity until marriage.
The show's performers included Rihanna, T.I., The Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Lil Wayne and T-Pain featuring Leona Lewis, Paramore, Kid Rock, Pink, LL Cool J, and Kanye West.
Presenters included Jamie Foxx, Taylor Swift, Demi Moore, Michael Phelps, stars from the movie "Twilight", Shia LaBeouf, Slash, Ciara, Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Pete Wentz, Slipknot, John Legend, Jordin Sparks, stars from "High School Musical", Lauren Conrad of "The Hills", Chace Crawford from "Gossip Girl", Josh Peck, Drake Bell, Paris Hilton and Kobe Bryant.
For the first time in MTV VMA history, the nominees were selected entirely by fan voting online. The nominations were previously chosen by a combination music-industry professionals and selected fans.
Here are the winners of the 2008 MTV VMAs:
Best Video of the Year:
Britney Spears - "Piece Of Me"
"Blackout" (Jive/Zomba Label Group)
Director: Wayne Isham
Best Dancing in a Video:
Pussycat Dolls - "When I Grow Up"
"Doll Domination" (Interscope Records)
Director: Joseph Kahn
Best New Artist:
Tokio Hotel - "Ready, Set, Go!"
"Scream" (Cherrytree/Interscope Records)
Director: Warwick/Haering
Best Female Video:
Britney Spears - "Piece Of Me"
"Blackout" (Jive/Zomba Label Group)
Director: Wayne Isham
Best Male Video:
Chris Brown - "With You"
"Exclusive" (Jive Records/Zomba)
Director: Erik White/Chris Brown
Best Hip-Hop Video:
Lil Wayne featuring Static - "Lollipop"
"Tha Carter III" (Cash Money Records/Universal Motown)
Director: Gil Green/D. Carter
Best Pop Video:
Britney Spears - "Piece Of Me"
"Blackout" (Jive/Zomba Label Group)
Director: Wayne Isham
Best Rock Video:
Linkin Park - "Shadow Of The Day"
"Minutes To Midnight" (Warner Bros. Records)
Director: Joe Hahn
Text: Carla Hay
