Britney Spears will perform the opening number at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas this Sunday. Britney Spears is set to sing "Gimme More," the first single from her forthcoming album.

The VMA executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic told MTV.com.:

I wanted to start the show in a very big and dramatic way, and she's the one to do that,

She'll captivate everyone, and set the tone for rest of the night.

Jesse Ignjatovic also said that Britney Spears collaborated with illusionist Criss Angel on "some moments of the performance" for Sunday night's show at the Palms Hotel and Casino.


Jesse Ignjatovic added:

You can expect the things we want and expect from Britney – that will all be there," he says. "What I've see of it is great. She'll be dancing, performing, dong her thing. That's exactly what we all want.

Justin Timberlake and Beyonce Knowles have scored a leading seven nominations each for this year's MTV Video Music Awards.


Kanye West and Rihanna scored five nominations each, while newcomer Amy Winehouse received three.


MTV also announced that the VMAs will be a one-night stand this year, airing live from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas at 9 p.m. on Sept. 9.

Nelly Furtado turned down $500,000 to pose for Playboy magazine, but refuses to rule out a potential photo session with the men's magazine.


Nelly Furtado has recently made a comeback to the charts with a raunchy new image, but insists she's not ready to show off her body just yet.


She told Mtv:

I (was) offered half a million dollars to pose fully clothed.

(To do it would be a) vanity thing, an egotistical thing. It's not to say that I would never do it. It's intriguing, it's very tempting. It's got to be under the right terms. We will see what happens.

Gwen Stefani insists she decided not to attend this year's Mtv Video Music Awards because she is busy preparing her clothing range for New York City's Fashion Week, not because she is angry with Mtv.


PageSix.com reported that Stefani decided to boycott the awards show because she didn't win any major awards last year.


But Gwen Stefani's publicist Dave Tomberlin has slammed reports she was snubbing the ceremony, calling them "complete fiction".


Gwen Stefani received six nominations last year, but was beaten by American Idol star Kelly Clarkson in most of the categories.


PageSix also claimed Gwen Stefani felt she was "set up" because each time the winner was announced, the camera immediately cut to a shot of her.


Dave Tomberlin said:

It's not true at all.

He added:

Gwen is indeed in New York - prepping for Fashion Week.

Jessica Simpson on MTV's TRL promoting her single 'Public Affair'.