AceShowbiz - Britney Spears recently took to Instagram to share her mixed reactions after watching clips of Sabrina Carpenter's performance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Though Spears, 42, admitted she didn't catch the live show, she did see parts of it on YouTube, particularly focusing on Carpenter's performance.

Carpenter, 25, delivered a medley that included hits like "Please Please Please," "Espresso," and "Taste." Most notably, she gave Spears a shout-out on the red carpet, a nod that did not go unnoticed by the pop legend. "This Sabrina girl said my name on the red carpet and I thought that was kind of cool," gushed Spears. "She made me cool!"

Sabrina's act also featured a tribute to Spears by incorporating the iconic monologue from "Oops!... I Did It Again," but Spears was perplexed by one particular element of Carpenter's onstage antics.

"Why is she smooching an alien on stage?" said Spears, clearly puzzled. "I adore her. I love her to death. I didn't understand that part. Why didn't she smooch a girl?" Her comment is likely a playful reference to her own famously controversial kiss with Madonna during the 2003 VMAs.

While Spears appreciated the homage, she said the whole performance felt "kind of weird altogether," and added that she "took a really long bath" and did some coloring afterward, a hobby she enjoys these days.

Carpenter wasn't the only artist tipping their hats to the pop icon. Megan Thee Stallion turned heads by recreating Spears' iconic "I'm a Slave 4 U" outfit from the 2001 VMAs, complete with a giant python.

"Stop the music, stop the music!" shouted Megan as the snake wrapped around her shoulders. "I'm just playin'! Come get this snake! I don't know this snake, this snake don't know me. Oh my God. I tried to hold it down for Britney," she exclaimed.

Singer Tate McRae also paid tribute to Spears by wearing a lace dress designed by Roberto Cavalli, a look reminiscent of what Spears wore to the 2001 VMAs. Halsey revealed that one of her favorite VMAs moments was the famous Spears-Madonna kiss, adding to the night's collective celebration of Spears' enduring influence on pop culture.

Spears, who has not attended the VMAs since 2016, indirectly acknowledged the tributes by sharing a dance video with the caption, "Did u guys see the VMAS ??? You guys crack me up." Despite her mixed feelings, it's clear that Spears' legacy continues to shine brightly, influencing a new generation of performers.