This time, Britney just
gets peck from Madonna

updated 3:39 p.m. ET Jan. 25, 2004

CANNES, France - Madonna accepted a career award from Britney Spears at a French music awards show this weekend — but this time, no kissing.

Madonna, wearing a demure green polka-dot dress, gave Spears a chaste peck on the cheek as she received the award at NRJ radio station’s ceremony Saturday and got a standing ovation.

“My ambition may be American, and I may have married a Brit, but my heart belongs to France,” Madonna told the crowd.

The pop divas’ failure to exchange an open-mouthed kiss, unlike at the MTV Video Music Awards in August, prompted inevitable cracks from French presenters later in the show.

Smooching partner Christina Aguilera was also at the ceremony, where performers included Seal, Dido, Kylie Minogue and Beyonce Knowles. France’s rock quartet Kyo won the most prizes, including best French-language group.