The pop princess, 34, will deliver her first VMA performance in almost a decade on Sunday night.
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Rihanna is the distinguished honoree of the evening, accepting the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, which recognizes musicians who have contributed significantly to MTV culture. Spears is hitting the stage Sunday night for her first VMAs performance since her rather lackluster rendition of “Gimme More” in 2007, and, well, she’s got a case of the backstage jitters.
Kanye West, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears are among the past recipients of the award.
The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards airs on August 26, at 9 p.m. ET.
The pop princess will give the first performance of her single Make Me, from her new album Glory, at the glitzy event in NY tonight.
As for the Best New Artist category, nominees include Desiigner, DNCE, Zara Larsson, Lukas Graham and Bryson Tiller. Swift, who has no VMA nominations this year, is not expected to attend the ceremony.
Since the awards have traditionally been a (literal) stage upon which to air out feuds, Swift and Kanye could have their first face-to-face skirmish at the VMAs.
Spears dominated pop music before undergoing a personal and career meltdown in 2006-2007 that included shaving her signature blonde locks, losing custody of her two children and being placed under a court-ordered conservatorship.
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But this time are they sitting with her for support, or for screen time? “This won an award?” “If we’re talking on Monday the 29th or after the show Sunday, everyone will be surprised with what she’s done to make this honor her own and something that’s extremely impactful”.
