Manager: Britney Too Busy for VMAs

With her personal and professional lives finally getting back on track, it had appeared likely in recent weeks that Britney Spears would attempt to make a image-reversing performance at September's MTV Video Music Awards. But alas, says her manager, that doesn't seem like it's going to happen.

"Contrary to media reports, Britney was never slated to perform on this year's VMAs," says Larry Rudolph, Brit's manager, after months of erratic behavior by the pop star. "She's in the middle of recording her next album, which is going amazingly well, and her focus remains on the studio."

Last September, a disoriented and distracted Brit took the VMA stage in Las Vegas for an embarrassing lip-synched performance of her single, "Gimme More," and drew mostly gasps and giggles from the audience in reply.

One year later, a much-improved 26-year-old appeared to be opening the door to a VMA performance with for the awards show with this year's host, British comedian Russell Brand.

However, it should be noted that, while Rudolph says Britney won't be performing live during the Sept. 7 broadcast from L.A., he said nothing about her being too busy to make a brief appearance either in person at the ceremony or on videotape. The singer's hit, "Piece of Me" is nominated for Video of the Year.