Britney Spears
Pop • McComb, United States
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American singer born on December 2, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi, who became known as the "Princess of Pop" and a defining cultural icon of the 21st century. She began her professional career in 1992 as a cast member on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club before signing with Jive Records in 1997. Her debut album ...Baby One More Time (1999) and its lead single became massive international successes, establishing her as a teen pop phenomenon and helping revive the genre.
Spears' career trajectory included a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums throughout the 2000s, including Oops!... I Did It Again (2000), Britney (2001), In the Zone (2003), and Blackout (2007). She became known for her elaborate stage performances, incorporating various musical genres from pop and R&B to electropop and adult contemporary. Her influence extended beyond music into film, television, and business ventures, including a highly successful fragrance line that generated over $1.5 billion in sales by 2011.
Spears' personal struggles with mental health and intense public scrutiny led to her placement under a controversial conservatorship in 2008, during which she continued to record and perform, including the albums Circus (2008), Femme Fatale (2011), Britney Jean (2013), and Glory (2016). Her Las Vegas residency "Britney: Piece of Me" (2013-2017) became one of the most successful concert residencies in history. The #FreeBritney movement and 2021 documentary Framing Britney Spears brought renewed attention to her conservatorship, which was dissolved in November 2021 after she publicly testified against her family.
With over 150 million records sold worldwide, Spears is one of the best-selling music artists in history. She has received numerous accolades including one Grammy Award, six MTV Video Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and the Billboard Millennium Award. Her 2023 memoir The Woman in Me debuted atop The New York Times Best Seller list, providing an intimate account of her life and career.
Quotes
“I was in my own world [...] I found out what I'm supposed to do at an early age”
“it made more sense to go pop, because I can dance to it—it's more me”
“My boys don't care if everything isn't perfect. They don't judge me”
“probably the worst thing I've done in my career”
“one of the most agonizing things I have ever experienced in my life”
Career Timeline
Memoir "The Woman in Me" becomes bestseller
Spears' autobiography debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list, detailing her life, career, and conservatorship experience.
Conservatorship dissolved
After public testimony against her family and management, the controversial 13-year conservatorship was terminated, restoring her personal and financial autonomy.
Withdraws from touring for conservatorship case
Spears withdrew from regular concert touring to focus on her conservatorship case, leading to the #FreeBritney movement gaining international momentum.
Begins Las Vegas residency "Britney: Piece of Me"
Launched two-year concert residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino that eventually ran through 2017 and became one of the most successful residencies in history.
Highest-paid judge on The X Factor
Joined The X Factor as a judge with a reported salary of $15 million, becoming the highest-paid judge on any singing competition series at that time.
Placed under conservatorship
Following mental health challenges and custody disputes, Spears was placed under a controversial conservatorship giving her father and attorney control over her affairs.
Becomes youngest female to have five number-one albums
Circus album debuted at number one, earning Spears a Guinness World Record as the youngest female artist to have five albums debut at number one.
Wins first Grammy Award
Won Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for "Toxic" from the In the Zone album, establishing herself as an award-winning artist.
MTV Video Music Awards kiss with Madonna
Performed "Like a Virgin" with Christina Aguilera and Madonna at the MTV VMAs, with the kiss between the three performers becoming highly publicized and culturally significant.
Film debut in Crossroads
Made her starring film role debut in Crossroads, which grossed over $61.1 million worldwide despite mixed critical reviews, with her acting praised by critics.
MTV Video Music Awards performance sets provocative tone
Spears' performance at the 2000 VMAs, where she removed her black suit to reveal a sequined bodysuit, marked a turning point in her public image and performance style.
...Baby One More Time album and single debut at number one
Her debut album reached number one on Billboard 200 and sold over 10 million copies worldwide in a year, becoming the biggest-selling album by a teenage artist.
Signed to Jive Records
After auditioning for multiple record labels, Spears was signed to Jive Records, who recognized her emotional delivery and commercial appeal.
Professional debut on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
Cast member on the television series alongside future stars including Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling, marking the beginning of her professional entertainment career.
