Rihanna's NRJ triumph

Rihanna arrives at Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, 26 January 2008, for the awards ceremony of the NRJ Music Awards 2008. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Jan 28, 2008, 11:35 GMT

Britney Spears and Rihanna triumphed at the 2008 NRJ Music Awards on Saturday (26.01.08).

Britney, who has had a tumultuous time since divorcing Kevin Federline and losing custody of her two sons, saw off stiff competition from Rihanna and Amy Winehouse to receive the International Album of the Year prize for her comeback LP 'Blackout'.

Although Rihanna lost out on the album award, her popular dance track 'Don't Stop the Music' was named International Song of the Year at France's most famous music awards ceremony.

The stunning 19-year-old singer showed off her new short hairstyle as she performed her award-winning song at France's Palais des Festivals de Cannes.

'SexyBack' singer Justin Timberlake won International Male Artist of the Year, while Canadian star Avril Lavigne was crowned International Female Artist of the Year.

Amy Winehouse, who was nominated for International Revelation of the Year and International Album of the Year, was due to perform at the star-studded ceremony but was forced to pull out after entering rehab for drug addiction last week.

Lebanese-born 'Grace Kelly' singer Mika, who wore a shocking pink jacket to the ceremony, picked up the International Revelation of the Year.

Michael Jackson, Celine Dion and Kylie Minogue all received the NRJ Award of Honour for their contribution to music.

Nominees for the NRJ Awards are chosen by French radio station NRJ.

Listeners can then vote online for their favourites. The public votes counts for 75 per cent of the final outcome, while a panel made up of NRJ staff and French TV network TF1 has a 25 per cent influence on the winners.

2008 NRJ Music Awards full list of winners:

Francophone Revelation of the Year - Christophe Willem International Revelation of the Year - Mika

Francophone Female Artist of the Year - Jenifer

International Female Artist of the Year - Avril Lavigne Francophone Male Artist of the Year - Christophe Mae International Male Artist of the Year - Justin Timberlake Francophone Group/Duo of the Year - Superbus

International Group/Duo of the Year - Tokio Hotel

International Song of the Year - Rihanna, 'Don't Stop The Music'

Francophone Album of the Year - Christophe Willem, 'Inventaire'

International Album of the Year - Britney Spears, 'Blackout'

Francophone Song of the Year - Christophe Mae, 'On s'attache'

Music Video of the Year - Fatal Bazooka, 'Parle a ma main'

NRJ Award of Honor - Celine Dion, Michael Jackson and Kylie Minogue

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