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It was Britney’s night!

The pop star made a triumphant return to MTV’s Video Music Awards, winning three Moonmen, including the night’s big honor, video of the year, for her hit “Piece of Me.”

“I’m in shock,” the grateful singer said after accepting her third award of the night from NBA star Kobe Bryant.

Happy Birthday MTV
Spears, of course, was the subject of much speculation and excitement after word spread that she would be opening the ceremony.

She looked a little nervous at first, but proved to be in fighting form in a vintage silver Versace minidress. After being escorted from her dressing room, Spears took center stage, clutched the microphone tightly and announced, “I’m here tonight to celebrate a very important birthday.” Continued Spears: “This is the 25th Video Music Awards – and it starts right now.”

With that, the pop star was gone, ceding the stage to a futuristic-looking Rihanna, who launched into her hit “Disturbia” with a goth-themed entourage touting glow sticks and leather.

Moments later, Spears was back to accept her first VMA ever.

Nominated for 16 Moonmen in the past, the pop star nabbed the first award of the night, best female video, for her song “Piece of Me.” Spears gave a brief speech, thanking God for “just blessing me like this,” calling out her two sons and dedicating the award to her fans. “This is for you,” she said.

And her fans were everywhere Sunday night. Haley Williams from Paramore saw Spears backstage and was overheard remarking to a bandmate, “Man, Britney looks really pretty.”

Spears later picked up her second award for best pop video, also for “Piece of Me.” “I’m speechless,” she chirped as she offered thanks to manager Larry Rudolph, who accompanied her to the show, and her fans.

Host with the Most
Host Russell Brand seemed to stun the audience with his high-minded, political comedy, making jokes at the expense of President George Bush (”In England, George Bush wouldn’t be trusted with a pair of scissors”) and nominees the Jonas Brothers. His remarks about their purity rings caused a bit of controversy, and the host was forced to apologize later in the night.

An Assortment of Performers
One unique factor about this year’s show: The diversity of performance spots. The Jonas Brothers offered a stripped down, acoustic version of their song “Love Bug” on a city street set, before launching into an electric finale on a stage that was mobbed by adoring teenage fans.

Rockers Paramore performed from legendary rock club Whisky A Go Go, but were bested by Linkin Park for best rock video honors.

New mom Christina Aguilera also made an appearance. She slinked onto the stage, performing a techno-inspired remix of her hit “Genie in a Bottle” to promote her upcoming greatest hits album, which then segued into her new song “Keeps Gettin’ Better.”

And Kanye West closed the evening with an intense outdoor performance of an unreleased song before the stunned masses.

WENN, People

Pictured: Christina Aguilera,  Ashlee Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Katy Perry & Miley Cryus, Audrina Patridge, Lauren Conrad, Nicky Hilton, Chris Brown, Brody Jenner, Heidi & Holly Montag, Heide & Spencer Pratt, Chase Crawford, Rihanna, Brooke Hogan, Pink, Bar Rafaeli, Stephanie Pratt & Kid Rock

MORE PICS FROM BACKSTAGE TO COME!

Natasha Bedingfield is ready to walk down the aisle.

The British pop singer, 26, just got engaged to her boyfriend Matthew Robinson. “It just happened,” she told People on the red carpet at a Calvin Klein 40th anniversary party. “But I am so excited, and it happened in New York. And I want to share it with the world.”

Bedingfield didn’t have too many more details to share. “We haven’t thought about a date,” she said. “We’re just celebrating.”

It’s been a whirlwind week in New York for the singer. Bedingfield performed at the Fashion Rocks event and recently teamed with Mariah Carey and Beyoncé on the song “Just Stand Up,” which they performed at Friday’s Stand Up For Cancer charity benefit.

How is she feeling? Says Bedingfield: “I’m the luckiest girl in the world.”

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As OK! was the first to report recently, Jennifer Aniston made a brief return to sitcom stardom when she filmed a guest role on the NBC hit 30 Rock. And now, the former Friends star is talking about her experience back on the small screen.

“Where do I begin? I just had the time of my life,” she told reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival, where she’s promoting her upcoming film Management. “The cast welcomed me in with open arms, and it was so good.”

And Jen had nothing but nice things to say about her co-stars on the show, whom she called, “Stellar!… Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jane Krawkowski… what a great group of people,” she told ET Canada. “Unbelievable!

Meanwhile, Jen’s director in Management, Stephen Belber, took his time out to gush to OK! about how great it was to work with the actress.

“She lives with her heart on her sleeves, she lives fully and she’s not afraid to hide it,” explained Stephen. “She doesn’t flaunt it in any sense. People follow her life, and she’s not a jerk. She could be a mean, bitter person as a result of all the press she gets – or the hounding — she gets, and she just never, ever shows a bitterness at all. That alone is huge, I think.”

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Russell Brand was forced to apologize for poking fun at the Jonas Brothers’ morals during Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards - after a public dressing down from singer Jordin Sparks.

The British comedian mocked the pop sensations mercilessly for more than half the show for their no-sex-before-marriage promise and the purity rings they wear.

At one point, he even pretended he’d stolen a Jonas brothers’ virginity as he held a ring in his hand.

Sparks, who is among the teen stars putting purity before sex, admonished Brand for his remarks, stating, “It’s not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut.”

Minutes later, a crestfallen Brand apologised, saying, “I’ve gotta say sorry because I said those things about promise rings; that was bad of me. I didn’t mean to take it lightly.”

Brand added, “I love Jonas Brothers, I think it’s (purity) really good. I don’t want to piss off teenage fans… Promise rings, I’m well up for it, well done everyone.”

But he couldn’t resist a final jab, adding, “It’s just, a bit of sex occasionally never hurt anybody.”

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Leonardo DiCaprio was left so shattered after a torture scene in new political thriller Body of Lies he was ill for days.

The Titanic star prepared for the scene in a former Moroccan jail for months, but had no idea the intensity of the shoot would leave him drained and sick.

DiCaprio, who plays a CIA operative alongside Russell Crowe in the film, says, “We did that (scene) in the middle of some medieval torture tomb. There was some kind of horrific dust in the air. I got sick for two or three days afterward because of the intense energy it took.”

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