MTV confirms: Britney Spears to perform at VMAs

MTV has confirmed rumors that Britney Spears will perform the opening number at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas this Sunday. Britney Spears is going the first single from her forthcoming album, "Gimme More", reports Us magazine.

Spears hooked up with illusionist Criss Angel, star of on "some of the moments of the performance," says Jesse Ignjatovic, the executive producer of this year's Video Music Awards. Ignjatovic said that it was important to secure Spears, 25, for the big show's opening number. "I guess, looking back, we've had a great history with her," he said. "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 the rest of the night. There's no one better."

However, a source close to Justin Timberlake told Us magazine that rumors of a duet between Spears and Timberlake are "patently false," but fans should still expect to be surprised.

“She’s planning it to be a big comeback performance,” a Spears insider tells Us, adding that the goal is to make it “shocking.”