Britney Opened The Billboard Music Awards With A Medley Of Hits And The Crowd Could Not Handle It

Britney Spears’ awards show appearances are usually memorable, but often for the wrong reasons.

There was her half-speed “comeback” performance of “Gimme More” at the 2007 MTV VMAs.

There was the time she gave Michael Jackson a birthday cake at the 2002 VMAs and he mistook it for the ‘Artist of the Millennium’ award (which is not a thing).

And who could forget the 2001 American Music Awards, where she and then-BF Justin Timberlake sported matching double-denim outfits? No one, that’s who.

But here’s the thing: Brits has been honing her stage show in Las Vegas for the past few years, and today returned to the public sphere to show off all her new tricks at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.

Spears opened the show – where she eventually received the ‘Millennium Award’ (which apparently is a thing) – with a medley of her best-loved songs, including “Toxic” and “I’m A Slave 4 U”.

Warning: your device is at risk of bursting into flames after playing.

THIS SONG BRINGS BACK SO MANY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 😭😭https://t.co/bx0X9GQ0h8

— Common White Girl (@girlhoodposts) May 23, 2016

(You can watch the full clip here.)

Yes, it was quite clearly lip-synced, but audience members Zendaya, Kristen Bell and Ariana Grande didn’t seem to mind.

Kesha also got to perform her cover of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me, Babe”, which she debuted with Ben Folds last week. She was rewarded with a standing ovation.

Kesha's performance was so beautiful 😍 https://t.co/nTgjIJCQNe

— FREDDY (@FreddyAmazin) May 23, 2016

Update: You can now watch part of Madonna's tribute to the late Prince, which included a duet with Stevie Wonder to "Purple Rain".

Photo: Facebook / Billboard.