LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award was bestowed on Britney Spears last night (video below). But when Spears took to the stage, she stated she was honored for the award, especially being bestowed one day before what would have been Michael Jackson’s 53rd birthday. When MTV announced that Spears would achieve the acclaimed award, many questioned if, at age thirty, Spears was too young to receive the honor. But with her own charming, modest and delightfully surprised demeanor, Spears showed last night why she was so deserving of the honor.

Just a few years ago, Spears’ own life was on downward spiral. But within one year, she turned her life around, and picked up her first VMA award. In 2007, news coverage of Spears’ VMAs appearances was more of mockery than praise. One year later, after the “Gimme More” trouble, Spears turned it around. She had never won a VMA until 2008. That year she won four.

Last night, Spears won again, picking up the huge award for Pop Video. In fact, Spears beat out one of the strongest groups of contenders  – Adele, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and Pitbull.

When the tribute kicked off for the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Spears was a delightful mix of shock, laughter, and applause as she saw a magnificent medley of her greatest dance moves. When Spears accepted the award, Lady Gaga as Jo Calderone attempted a Madonna-like kiss on stage. But it didn’t happen. “She taught us all how to be fearless, and the industry wouldn’t be the same without her.”

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The MTV VMAs 2011 winners early tonight have been dominated by Adele. The 2011 MTV Video Music Award Winners list already includes three wins by Adele and a surprise win by Britney Spears. The first award of the night went to Lady Gaga for Best Video With a Message for Born this Way.

Adele tonight has already picked up three awards, and the telecast is not yet offer. Adele picked up Best Art Direction for “Rolling in the Deep”. The same video made news, winning for Best Editing and Best Cinematography.

Beyonce, while losing in Cinematography to Adele, picked up Best Choreography for “Run the World Girls”. In a statement to MTV News, Gaga said of her award that “I’m really proud of the ‘Born This Way’ video, and for it to be nominated is an absolute honor”.

Gaga delivered a jaw dropping opening number. Selena Gomez was charming co-hosting a lackluster awards’ pre-show telecast that featured Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose standing around. Gomez was joined on stage by a glowing Demi Lovato and the cast of the Jersey Shore. The Situation, however, did not make an appearance.

Later, Kanye West and Jay-Z’s performance of Otis was almost interrupted when a fan stormed the stage. The Foo Fighters picked up a stunning win for Best Rock Video. But a visible surprised Britney Spears, in advance of being honored tonight, won Best Pop Video. Kanye West and Katy Perry were also early winners. Click HERE for the complete list.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The Britney Spears VMAs tribute will not only honor the pop singer but also the cable network that helped her career. When news of a Britney Spears tribute was announced for the MTV 2011 Video Music Awards, one aspect was missed. By honoring Spears, MTV is also helping honor itself. Both the pop singer and the music channel turn thirty years old this year. And while Spears didn’t pick up a VMA award until 2008, Britney has been part of core that has built the success of MTV over the last three decades.

While MTV’s focus has changed over the years, focusing less on music and more on reality TV shows, Spears has been true to form year to year. She first appeared on the VMAs in 1999 with ‘NSYNC. In 2007, during a troubled time of her career, news coverage of Spears’ performance of “Gimme More” was about as unflattering as tabloid coverage of her exiting limos after the show.

One year later, Spears was back on her game. In a miraculous change, she won four awards in 2008. This year Britney is nominated for two awards for Til The World Ends. Fans, however, believe that Spears deserved far more awards that she has received over her career, especially for videos like Slave 4 U and Toxic.

Yet, as to the show itself, Britney still believes her on-air kiss with Madonna in 2003 is her most memorable appearance to date. “My greatest experience — probably being with Madonna,” she tells MTV. “The kiss was amazing. … Being onstage with someone of that caliber is just iconic.”

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Joe Jonas will open Britney Spears’ European Tour, the two confirmed Thursday. Joe Jonas’ solo album Fast Life drops this October 11. But Joe will get a push not just on the European Tour but also during an appearance before Spears fans in the U.S. as well.

In a news interview today, Joe Jonas reveals he will open Britney Spears’ August 5 U.S. tour date and then join the European tour. “This just in … I will be performing at the @BritneySpears concert in NJ on Aug 5,” he recently told fans.

Joe tells news that he will open for Spears in nine European stops. The locations will span as far as England to the Netherlands. He calls the gig a “dream come true.”

While Joe Jonas has years of successful tours, this time around he is making some changes. He tells news today “I’ll be playing more music than I have the past few times I’ve performed live so far”. Exciting!

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Barry loves Britney and Bieber? Barry Manilow is no Justin Bieber nor Britney Spears. But Manilow tells news that he is always pursuing a younger market because he knows that what is critical to a musician’s longevity. Now the hit maker opens up about his own career, new talent, and the keys to success in a younger music industry.

Manilow’s insightful remarks to news came in recent days during an interview with ITV’s “This Morning”.

As to Bieber, Manilow told news that fame is overwhelming. Manilow says he is often worried that fame doesn’t consume younger talents as it often does with other musical talents. Manilow says “But it [was] this fame and success thing that knocked me over like a hurricane and I say a little prayer for the people that are younger than I was…. I hope Justin Bieber has a good family unit because that will help.”

As to a younger market, Manilow tells news that audiences change and a musician needs to adapt to those changing demographics. “After all these years I’m not sure that I have got an audience out there, and every night there seems to be more people, younger (fans). I think it’s like, ‘Is he still alive? Let’s go catch him before he croaks’, or something like that.”

As to Britney Spears, Manilow says he is a huge fan both of her stage talent and musical performances. Manilow was additionally won over after Britney sang to Barry, live. “We went to see Britney Spears and I fell in love. She was singing to me, I know it. I’m so in love with her. I love her music, I do.”

And while Manilow has seen it all, he’s still surprised by the audiences he attracts nightly to sold out crowds. “I really am surprised that there are still people out there that come. I ask my stage manager every night, ‘Is there anybody out there?’ and I really mean it.”

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