Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect Britney Spears will not appear at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards "She was never due to perform," a source tells PEOPLE The VMAS will be held in New York on Sept. 7 The2025 MTV Video Music Awardswill go on withoutBritney Spears. After a number of fan accounts pushed rumors that the pop star, 43, would return to the awards show for the first time in nearly 10 years, a source tells PEOPLE that that is not the case. "She was never due to perform," the source says. Rumors began circulating on X in late July, with one popular Spears fan account posting that she'd be performing a 10-minute medley of hits ahead of the surprise release of a new album in September.TMZwas first to report that she would not be appearing. The "Piece of Me" singer has a long history with the VMAs, including a number of iconic performances. In 2001, she famously sang her hit "I'm a Slave 4 U" with apython draped over her shoulders, and in 2003, and sheshared a steamy kiss with Madonnaafter performing "Like a Virgin" withChristina Aguilera. Kevin Mazur/WireImage In 2007, she appeared at the VMAs to sing her song "Gimme More" in a performance that was widely criticized at the time. In her 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me, Spears revealed that shedidn't want to do the performanceafter a difficult year, but felt pressured by her team, and wound up having a panic attack backstage. In 2011, Spears received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. She last appeared on the VMAs stage in 2016,when she sang "Make Me"and "Me, Myself & I" withG-Eazy. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Spears regularly posts videos of herself dancing on Instagram. In June, she shared a photo and video of herposing with her son Jayden, 18, whom she shares with ex-husbandKevin Federline. They are also parents to sonSean Preston, 19. The2025 MTV Video Music Awardswill air live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, Sept. 7. Lady Gagaleads the pack with nods in 12 categories. Additional artists with the most nominations includeBruno Marswith 11,Kendrick Lamarwith 10,ROSÉandSabrina Carpenterwith eight each,Ariana GrandeandThe Weekndwith seven each,Billie Eilishwith six andCharli xcxwith five. Read the original article onPeople