Britney Spears will kick off the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, the network announced on Wednesday.

And the pop star couldn’t be happier.

“MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs?” Britney said in a statement to MTV. “I’m excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated.”

Britney, who has never won a VMA [despite 16 past nominations], is up this year for Video of the Year, Best Pop Video and Best Female Video for her single “Piece of Me.”

However, following her highly criticized musical opener of “Gimme More” at last year’s VMAs, Britney will not open this year’s show with a performance.

Instead, MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler said it will be something “fun and unexpected” to kick off Sunday night’s show.

“Britney has done everything from perform with a snake, lock lips with Madonna and prove that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas,” Toffler said, referring to last year’s uninspired number. “I can’t wait to see what she does to kick off this year’s show.”

Her manager, Larry Rudolph, confirmed the news to Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush. Larry added in that Britney’s performance would be more of a cameo.

“She is not performing,” Larry told Billy. “She looks great and is very excited to be there.”

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Britney taped a promo spot with VMA host Russell Brand, which features Brand and Britney, along with a very large, and overtly metaphorical elephant in the room.

The pachyderm performs tricks in the background as Britney and Brand joke about his less-than-household-name-in-America status.

The 25th MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday, September 7 at 9 PM EST.

Source: AH