[Red Moon]

Was Britney 'slimmed down' in new video?

Britney Spears' video for her new single Piece of Me has received a mixed response from critics, amid reports the singer was digitally-slimmed down for the promo.

The troubled singer hits out at the paparazzi and tabloids in her second release from her latest album Blackout.

The 26-year-old appears much slimmer in the official video than a previous un-edited version, which was leaked onto the internet earlier this month.

The promo, which cost a reported $500,000 (Ł247,000), was directed by Wayne Isham, who worked with Britney on her 2002 single I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.

It was filmed over two days last month at the Social Hollywood and is alleged to be Britney's most expensive video since her 2004 hit Toxic.

In the video, Britney and a group of lookalikes sneak out of the house dressed in wigs in a bid to trap the paparazzi.

The group take over the dancefloor at a Hollywood nightclub, as Britney sings: "They still take pictures of my derriere in the magazine. You wanna a piece of me?"

At one point, Britney drags a man into the club bathrooms and rips open his shirt to find a hidden camera.

The disgusted singer writes 'Sucker' across the photographer's forehead with red lipstick before calling her girls in to join her for a dance session in the toilets.

As fans and music critics rush to watch Britney's new video, American Idol producer 'Nasty' Nigel Lythgoe says the singer shouldn't hope to perform the song on the hit TV talent show.

Speaking to Us magazine, Lythgoe said: "I would have had Britney Spears last year when I thought she was trying to get it all back together again.

"Britney, at this moment in time, I don't think is well enough to do anything.

"I think she needs looking after. I think she needs to pull herself together.

"Britney needs taking care of right now."

Still, director Isham praised Britney's efforts, saying: ""he was very professional, excited to work and beautiful as always.

"I was impressed with her focus as she choreographed the dance herself. Her endurance was remarkable, as we had a long day."

"She almost outlasted me, which is amazing! It was a pleasure to work with her again."

Source, Pictures and Video Clip: Daily Mail