Britney Spears wants her MTV Video Music Awards. But does the music impresario orchestrating the night’s performances want Britney Spears?
A well-placed source tells me that execs at the music network are still negotiating with Spears to open the extravaganza, but the show’s musical director, über-producer Timbaland, would rather she stay home.
“He doesn’t want her on the show,” my source says. “Too much drama, and he thinks she is going to take away from the other good performers.”
Reps for MTV, Timbaland and Spears did not comment.
Not only is Timbaland himself performing at the Sept. 9 show in Las Vegas, but the lineup also includes Rihanna, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Chris Brown, Foo Fighters, Lil’ Wayne, T-Pain, Cee-Lo and Daniel Merriweather.
While Timbaland’s good pal Justin Timberlake hasn’t been officially announced, I hear he’ll also perform. Timberlake and Beyoncé lead the nominations with seven apiece. (He’s also in talks to perform “Dick in a Box” with Andy Samberg at the Emmys.)
What about those rumors that Timberlake and Madonna will team up for the VMAs? My source says that, as of today, there are no such plans.