It's official: Britney will open MTV Video Music Awards

Washington, Sept 4 : Britney Spears will kick-start this year's MTV Video Music awards (VMAs), the channel has confirmed.

Last year at the VMAs, the 'Toxic' hitmaker had stumbled her way through dance routines and miming poorly as fears grew for her mental state

But now the 'excited' singer is all set to take the MTV stage by storm.

"MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated," Contactmusic quoted her, as telling People magazine.

The star has already been nominated 16 times for an astronaut-shaped VMA but luck has not favoured even once.

But, now she has been given another chance to bag the award, what with nominations in the Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video Of The Year Categories, all for her hit 'Piece of Me'.

"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," said MTV Networks' music president Van Toffler.

He added: "I can't wait to see what she does to kick off this year's show."

British comedian and actor Russell Brand will host the 2008 ceremony, which takes place on Sunday in Los Angeles.

ANI