Bikini-Clad Britney Returns To MTV VMA Stage, Kanye Reacts

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (September 9, 2007) Clad in a silver bikini and stiletto knee-high boots, Britney Spears opened MTV's Video Music Awards on Sunday night.

There was no special entrance for the star, who as the broadcast started was already on stage, sporting blonde hair extensions and blue contact lenses.

[ The 2007 VMAs: Red Carpet - View the Gallery ]

"If you're looking for trouble, look right in my face," was one of the lines Spears appeared to mime as her "Gimme More" song kicked off. Spears' opening came straight from "Trouble," the song Elvis sang for his, "The '68 Comeback Special."

Spears' performance featured the scantily clad pop singer, with an earpiece mic, though she appeared to be lip-synching much of the number.

[ Britney Spears' VMA Performance - Watch the Video ]

[ MTV's Style Villa 2007 - View the Gallery ]

Gone were Spears' exuberant dance moves of years' past. Instead, the pop singer had simpler movements complimented by plenty of gyrating and an occasional spot of humping on a male dancer or two.

Behind the singer during her stage time, were a series of stacked up boxes that offered silhouettes of female dancers, similar to the opening Elvis employed for his '68 show.

During Spears' performance, the MTV cameras panned to Diddy, who the singer hung out with earlier in the weekend. 50 Cent's reaction on camera however, when it panned to him, seemed to be one of perplexity.

50 Cent wasn't the only star to appear perplexed by Spears' performance. Chris Brown, who many credited as stealing the show later in the evening, with his Michael Jackson dancing, said he was left wanting more from her short number.

"I think it was cool. Honestly, she did good for what she was working with. I expected a little bit more," he told Access.

MTV VJ Sway admitted Spears' set was not her best.

"Was it the best I've seen Britney? Nah, I wouldn't say that. Was it good to see Britney? Yeah," he told Access.

After picking up several awards for her song "Umbrella," Rihanna told Access Hollywood backstage, that she enjoyed the VMA opening.

"I think it was great. People were wanting her to come out. She came out, she did her best. I had a fun time watching it," the singer noted.

Access Hollywood has learned that an hour after opening the VMAs, Britney, who was then dressed in a white T-shirt and white fedora, was asked by USA Today's William Keck how she felt her performance went.

"Good, thank you," she replied.

The evening before the show, Kanye West lashed out at Spears being booked to open the VMAs, telling the Associated Press, "I can't believe she would perform . . . She hasn't had a hit record in years."

After her performance, Keck asked Kanye what he thought of her routine.

"He looked really, genuinely sad," Keck recounted to Access. "He said 'Do you think people are going to give her a second chance?' And he personally said 'I have no words.'"

Following the show, Britney was spotted by Access Hollywood Executive Producer Rob Silverstein, sitting upstairs at Gardunos Mexican restaurant at the Palms for dinner.

She was at the restaurant with three female pals. The singer did not appear in celebratory mode. Looking lonely, Spears was spotted talking on the phone and biting her nails.