Britney Spears: Her Story So Far
Britney opened the MTV Video Music Awards for the third time in 2008, where she went on to win three awards. She later scooped two gongs at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Things seemed to be on the up.PA Photos
Rex FeaturesMeet Britney Spears.
Born in 1981, Britney was raised in Kentwood, Louisiana by parents Lynne and Jamie Spears, both Southern Baptists.
WENN1992
Britney landed a spot on US television show Star Search, and although she ultimately lost the competition – it pushed her into the limelight and the fame that was to come...
Rex Features1993 to 1994
Aged 11, Britney got herself a spot on the Disney Channel’s The New Mickey Mouse Club in Florida, where she featured on the show for two years...
Rex Features...Along with a host of other now familiar faces including her future boyfriend Justin Timberlake and pop rival Christina Aguilera.
Rex Features1997
In 1997 Britney signed with Jive Records. She went on to become an opening act for ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys.
WENN1999
Her first single ...Baby One More Time hit the UK charts in 1999, entering at number one and selling almost half a million copies. The track went on to become the best-selling single of the year. School uniforms were suddenly cool again.
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com1999
The release of Britney’s debut album (sharing a title with her first single) peaked at number one in the US, but was met with mixed reviews from the critics. The album quickly became multi-platinum certified in the US.
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com1999
Britney caused controversy (not for the first OR last time) when she announced that she intended to “remain a virgin until married”...
Rex Features1999
...Whilst embarking on a sexually charged relationship with former Disney Channel co-star Justin Timberlake. The former ‘N Sync singer has recently publically eluded to the sexual nature of his relationship with Britney.
PA PhotosThe pair’s relationship was made public at the MTV Video Music Awards 2000, and throughout their three year relationship the pair were inseparable. Much to the annoyance of teenage girls everywhere...
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2000
“Oops!... I did it again” debuted at number one in the US, selling a record breaking 1.3million copies in its first week. Britney then launched into her first ever world tour.
Rex Features2000
During a break from the tour, Britney stopped over in New York for the MTV Video Music Awards, where she (again) sparked controversy when she ripped off a black suit to reveal this nude and crystal outfit during a performance.
Rex Features2000
During her world tour, fans were starting to see a move away from girl next door image to the sexier, confident Britney we all know and love today. Fans no longer went to see a sweet young girl singing catchy tunes – they expected energetic dance routines and one hell of a show.
Rex Features2002
Britney broke into film in 2002 – starring in Crossroads. The singer plays a high school graduate who goes on a road trip to find her long-lost mother. Despite a mixed reaction from the critics, the film grossed $60m worldwide. (Admit it – you’ve seen it at least once!)
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2002
In her third consecutive MTV Video Music Awards appearance, Britney once again riled critics when she appeared on stage with live animals, including a huge snake, during a performance of I’m A Slave 4 U. This time it was the animal rights protestors that were unimpressed, and a planned appearance in an anti-fur campaign was swiftly cancelled.
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2002
It came as a huge shock to everyone when Britney and Justin split in early 2002. JT famously wrote Cry Me A River about the couple’s break-up, which left everyone wondering what caused the split.
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2003
Spears embarked upon a relationship with Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. Again Britney came under fire from critics as the rock star boasted to press about his sexual relationship with the Baptist singer.
PA Photos2003
Time for the MTV Video Music Awards again – and yet another barmy antic from our Britney. After appearing onstage alongside Christina and Madonna, Spears indulged in a little lip-locking with the Queen of Pop, ensuring that she was all over papers for days, and her clean-cut image was further becoming a distant memory.
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2003
Britney released her fourth album In The Zone at the end of 2004, again reaching number one in the US in her first week. The album featured hit single ‘Toxic’ which led to Britney’s first ever Grammy win.
Rex Features2004
Britney wed childhood friend Jason Alexander in January 2004 at The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas. The marriage may have lasted just 55 hours, but the press surrounding the event lasted a lot longer.
PA Photos2004
Britney soon got over this little blip, however, when she lay eyes on Mr Kevin Federline...
Rex Features2004
...Just three months after the couple met, Spears announced their engagement...
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2004
....And by September the pair were married and all set to live happily ever after.
Rex Features2005
After a year of marriage, Britney gave birth to her first baby, son Sean Preston Federline, and everything seemed to be going well for the singer.
Rex Features2006
Britney took a short break from being a mum and turned her hand to TV in 2006 with a cameo appearance on one of her favourite TV shows, Will and Grace. She played conservative talkshow host Amber-Louise.
Rex Features2006
Just days before Sean’s first birthday, Britney then gave birth to second son Jayden James Federline. “As a mother, the thing that always goes through your head is, you’re never enough – or do enough – for your kids. It’s a never-ending issue for me,” she told GLAMOUR magazine.
Rex Features2006
In November, just two months after the birth of their second son, Britney filed for divorce from K-Fed citing irreconcilable differences.
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2007
Amidst difficult times in her personal life, Britney shaved her head using a pair of clippers in a hair salon in California. The act caused a media frenzy and sent fans into a panic of worry over Britney’s mental health.
Wenn2007
Following this, Britney was forced to wear a wig while out and about in public, and went in and out of treatment centres...
Rex Features2007
...Until finally admitting herself to rehab where she could take some time out of the public eye to recover.
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2007
As usual, Britney was on the bill for the MTV Video Music Awards, where fans hoped she would mark the start of a triumphant comeback. Sadly for Britney it was all too soon and the shaky performance was slammed by some critics, and reported as a cry for help by others.
Rex Features2007
At the end of the year, Britney embarked on a relationship with paparazzi photographer Adnan Ghalib, after she invited him into her house. This led to further fears for Britney’s health, as fans worried she would be exploited by the photographer.
PA Photos2008
Britney opened the MTV Video Music Awards for the third time in 2008, where she went on to win three awards. She later scooped two gongs at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Things seemed to be on the up.
Rex FeaturesThe singer has always been supported by her mother Lynne. She told GLAMOUR magazine: “We butt heads the most, but we understand each other the most too. It’s a weird thing.”
Big Pictures2009
Now things seem to be back on track, Britney has found new love with her agent Jason Trawick – and the pair are set to make the relationship official this summer
PA Photos/www.pressassociation.com2009
Britney is now back and making pulses race with her latest album and world tour ‘Circus’.
Back on top, and long may she reign: it’s Britney, bitch!
