PICTURES! Britney Spears opens the MTV VMAs 2008! The Video Music Awards opening has Britney Spears as its host, confirms Britney herself tonight.

Earlier this summer, LALATE first broke to you that Spears will appear in some capacity on stage for the 2008 VMAs. At that point, there was no comment from Spears’ camp. Of course not. It’s too early to spill the beans. By summer end, Spears’ reps confirmed she would appear but not “perform”, as in sing and dance.

Now today, no less than 4 major celebrity tv shows are claiming “exclusive” that Britney will appear at the VMAs on stage. Come on. Did anyone think she was not going to appear on stage?

“MTV has long played an important role in my career,” Britney said in a statement today. “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.”

Above are some classic pictures of Spears openers for the VMAs.

“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 Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music. “I can’t wait to see what she does to kick off this year’s show.”

Stay with LALATE, America’s celebrity news leader, for complete coverage of the VMAs direct from Los Angeles this September.