In a hugely anticipated show, Britney Spears was confirmed to open the 2007 VMA with a performance of her new single ‘Gimme More’. It would mark her first internationally screened performance since 2003.

Since then her public life had become a whirlwind of calamity, with her apparent downfall being widely covered in the media. MTV poured money into the marketing campaign of her ‘comeback’ but with millions watching, Spears’ performance was widely panned.

Wearing an ill fitting costume that couldn’t conceal her bloated appearance, Spears mimed out of time and looked disorientated, struggling to keep up with her backing dancers. All in all, it was a very public disaster that set Spears back even further, even if it did boost her popularity.