MTV Video Music Awards host Russell Brand took several digs Sunday night at young stars wearing "purity rings" to pledge their virginity until marriage — and "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks wasn't having any of it.
The British Brand — who is a celebrity in the U.K. but not well known in the U.S. — made a series of jokes centered on the Jonas Brothers and their rings. At one point, he even pretended he'd stolen a Jonas Brother's virginity as he held a ring in his hand.
Sparks used her moment on stage to have her say about his constant remarks.
"It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody, guy or girl, wants to be a slut," Sparks spat back, the auditorium filling with applause. Sparks, Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez are also among the young stars who have vowed to remain chaste.
Minutes later, Brand apologized, saying, "I've gotta say sorry because I said those things about promise rings; that was bad of me. I didn't mean to take it lightly."
Brand added, "I love Jonas Brothers, I think it's (purity) really good. I don't want to piss off teenage fans ... Promise rings, I'm well up for it, well done everyone."
But he couldn't resist a final jab, adding, "It's just, a bit of sex occasionally never hurt anybody."
Sparks told FOXNews.com's Pop Tarts column later Sunday night at the In Touch magazine after-party that she was more than happy to put Brand — known as Britain's ultimate playboy — in his place.
"Somebody had to do it," she said.
The "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" funnyman also encouraged Americans to vote for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in the upcoming election, referred to George W. Bush as a "retarded cowboy fella" and took a shot at Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin and her pregnant daughter.
"The safe sex message is to use a condom or become a Republican," Brand said.
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