Britney had a considerably tough few years, but by then, she was back and better than ever. She looked amazing, she seemed healthy, happy, and in love, and dammit, I was ready to see Queen Spears get her crown. Given all that (plus the fact that MTV's promos touted a can't-miss tribute), I expected something big. But what I got still hurts my feelings, even all these years later. Britney didn't perform — OK, fine, whatever, I can get over that — but was instead honoured by a group of young dancers who performed choreography to a medley of her hits that was sped up and remixed so aggressively, that I just know it's playing in a SoulCycle class somewhere.
I expected something big. But what I got still hurts my feelings, even all these years later.
But the most egregious part was that the tribute was presented by some guy named Jo Calderone. Yes, Lady Gaga (who, by the way, needs a Vanguard Award of her own) for some reason decided it was a good idea to emcee Britney's event as her male alter ego. Gaga quite impressively stayed in character throughout the tribute; after welcoming Britney to the stage to give an acceptance speech, Jo Calderone proceeded to hit on her, and the ensuing exchange gave me permanent forehead lines from cringing so hard.