Although she wasn’t in attendance, Britney Spears’ presence was undoubtedly felt at the MTV VMAs last night in New York.
From start to finish, the VMAs were packed with nods to Britney’s career, from snippets of her performances in the previews to recreating one of her most iconic fashion moments during the actual ceremony.
To kick things off, Tate McRae – who is often compared to Britney – paid tribute to one of her idols by wearing a black lace Roberto Cavalli dress inspired by the Dolce & Gabbana dress Britney wore to the 2001 VMAs.
During the ceremony, host Megan Thee Stallion had her very own Britney moment when she appeared in a green bikini with a live python around her waist, which of course is a throwback to Brit’s legendary performance of “I’m A Slave 4 U” at the ceremony in 2001.
Sabrina Carpenter also took inspiration from Britney during her performance. During the transition between “Please Please Please” and “Taste,” fans noticed that Sabrina sampled the spoken part of Britney’s 2000 song “Oops!… I Did It Again.”
Of course, it’s understandable that artists would pay homage to Britney, who – along with other legends like Madonna, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé – is credited with some of the most iconic moments in VMAs history.
Her 2001 “Slave 4 U” performance – complete with live exotic animals – inspired Halloween costumes for decades. And who could forget her onstage kiss with Madonna?
At X, fans enjoyed every nod to Britney throughout the ceremony, pointing out how much she “shaped” the show as we know it today.
One person suggested there might even be a documentary about “Britney’s impact on the VMAs,” while another suggested that MTV symbol series to honor her.
As you probably know, Britney has chosen to keep a low profile and enjoy her freedom since her conservatorship ended in November 2021 after nearly 14 years. However, it’s safe to say there’s no shortage of love for the pop icon.
