A year after her disastrous comeback attempt at the MTV Video Music Awards, Britney Spears swept the event on Sunday, winning the first three Moonman statuettes of her career. The pop singer, whose career has been overshadowed in recent years by a litany of personal woes, took home the awards for video of the year, best pop video and best female video, all for the track Piece of Me.
Comeback queen: Britney Spears accepts her award for best female video for her track Piece of Me 'Wow, thank you, I'm in shock right now. I was not expecting this,' she said at the end of the night as she accepted the shiny Moonman statue for video of the year. 'This is such an honor to have this award right now.' Spears gave similar speeches with her previous two prizes - best female video and best pop video - politely thanking God, her children and her record label before quickly leaving the stage.
Triumph: The pop star collected the first three Moonman statuettes of her career
That's hot: Paris Hilton, Britney's one time party pal, presents her with the best pop video award Despite weeks of speculation, Spears did not perform, instead opening the show by delivering just four sentences. She said: '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.' She earned a few laughs during a pre-taped comedic segment with Superbad actor Jonah Hill, in which he repeatedly tried to trick her into kissing him. The crowd was behind her from the start, with several stars offering their support on the red carpet. 'I've always been a Britney Spears fan,' said Ne-Yo. 'I really want her to get out there and shut everyone's mouth.'
Sparkling: Britney cut a slender figure in a metallic frock
I'm with the Brand: Britney enjoys a moment with host Russell Brand 'As far as Britney, she can do what she wants and still be the queen of all this,' said T-Pain, who arrived at the ceremony on an elephant. And Paris Hilton, her one-time party companion, presented Spears with the award for best pop video, telling her afterward: 'I love you. I miss you. And it's so good to see you.'
Beaming: Britney, with her manager Larry Rudolph, looked relaxed and happy during the event Wearing a glittering silver dress that hugged her curves and her hair in soft blonde waves, she later posed for photos with her three trophies in the press room but did not answer questions from reporters. Accompanied by her longtime manager Larry Rudolph, Spears chewed gum and grinned and kept her eyes straight ahead. Other winners included R&B singer Chris Brown's With You for best male video, Linkin Park's Shadow of the Day for best rock video, and rapper Lil Wayne's Lollipop for best hip-hop video.
Last year: The singer was panned by critics and fans alike after her disastrous performance of Gimme More just 12 months ago LIST OF WINNERS AT THE 2008 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR - Piece of Me (Britney Spears) BEST NEW ARTIST - Tokio Hotel BEST ROCK VIDEO - Shadow of the Day (Linkin Park) BEST DANCING IN A VIDEO - When I Grow Up (Pussycat Dolls) BEST HIP-HOP VIDEO - Lollipop (Lil Wayne featuring Static Major) BEST POP VIDEO - Piece of Me (Britney Spears) BEST MALE VIDEO - With You (Chris Brown) BEST FEMALE VIDEO - Piece of Me (Britney Spears) PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES (PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED) BEST DIRECTION - Honey (Erykah Badu, artist) BEST CHOREOGRAPHY - Run (Gnarls Barkley, artist) BEST ART DIRECTION - Run (Gnarls Barkley, artist) BEST EDITING - I Will Possess Your Heart (Death Cab for Cutie, artist) BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS - Good Life (Kanye West, artist) BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Conquest (White Stripes, artist)