Yahoo Lifestyle Fans Are Calling Attention To Britney Spears’s Impact On The VMAs After The Likes Of Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, And Megan Thee Stallion Paid Homage To Her
Despite not even being in attendance, Britney Spears’s presence was undoubtedly felt at last night’s MTV VMAs in New York.
From start to finish, the VMAs was packed full of references to Britney’s career, from clips of her performances playing in the pre-show reels to a recreation of one of her most iconic fashion moments during the actual ceremony.
To kick things off, Tate McRae — who’s copped comparisons to Britney — paid homage to one of her idols by wearing a black lace Roberto Cavalli dress inspired by the Dolce & Gabbana number Britney wore at the VMAs in 2001.
“I think she’s one of the most incredible performers of the 2000s,” Tate told the Hollywood Reporter when asked about being compared to Britney. “I remember watching her as a kid all the time.”
Elsewhere on the red carpet, Addison Rae wore a white two-piece and told Billboard that the look was partly inspired by Britney’s iconic performance with Madonna and Christina Aguilera at the VMAs in 2003.
“My favorite VMAs looks of all time are probably every single time that Britney came out and performed,” Addison said on the red carpet. “She is an icon.”
During the ceremony, host Megan Thee Stallion had her very own Britney moment when she stepped out in a green bikini with a live python draped around her waist, which is, of course, a callback to Brit’s legendary performance of “I’m A Slave 4 U” at the 2001 ceremony.
Sabrina Carpenter also took inspiration from Britney in her performance. In the transition between “Please Please Please” and “Taste,” fans noticed that Sabrina sampled the spoken word section that plays in Britney’s 2000 track, “Oops!... I Did It Again.”
Though it isn’t confirmed, the sample was presumably a nod to Sabrina’s performance being space-themed with astronauts and aliens, just like Britney’s “Oops!” video.
Of course, it makes sense that artists would pay homage to Britney, who — along with other legends like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé — has been widely credited with producing some of the most iconic moments in VMAs history.
From her VMAs debut in 1999 with a performance of “...Baby One More Time” to her memorable mashup of The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” and “Oops!” a year later in 2000, Britney set the standard very early on.
Her 2001 “Slave 4 U” performance — complete with live exotic animals — inspired Halloween outfits for decades to follow. And who could forget her onstage kiss with Madonna?
There’s no disputing that Britney is one of the greats, and after her decade-spanning conservatorship battle, fans are certainly glad to see her getting her flowers.
On X, fans relished each Britney reference throughout the ceremony, calling attention to how much she “shaped” the show as we know it today.
“46 minutes into the vmas, britney has already been referenced twice (meg wore her 2001 performance look, sabrina played the oops! astronaut interlude),” one user wrote, amassing over 23,000 likes. “there is no single artist or person who has shaped this award show more than her.”
“Britney Spears is really that bitch see how all the girls recreating HER moments,” echoed someone else. “How can you deny her icon status.”
“The VMAs to me is kinda like National Reference Britney Spears Day (biased) (correct),” joked another Britney fan.
One person said there could even be a documentary about “Britney’s Impact” on the VMAs, while another suggested that MTV should bring back its Icon series to honor her.
“it should be huge. HUGE. and she can just sit in the front row and smile,” they said. “maybe say a few words at the end. make it a ‘grand return’ kinda thing.….if she’s open to it, of course.”
As you’ll probably be aware, Britney has opted to lay low and enjoy her freedom since her conservatorship was terminated in November 2021 after nearly 14 years. However, it’s safe to say there’s no shortage of love for the pop icon.
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