BRITNEY SPEARS

Date of Birth
2 December 1981, McComb, Mississippi, USA

Birth Name
Britney Jean Spears

Nickname
Brit
Pinkey
The Princess of Pop
Pop Icon
Queen B

Height
5' 4" (1.63 m)

Mini Biography
Britney Jean Spears was born in McComb (Mississippi) and raised in rural Louisiana (Kentwood) to Jamie Spears and Lynne Spears. As a child, Britney attended dance classes, and she was great at gymnastics, winning many competitions and the like. But, most of all, Britney loved to sing. At age 8, Britney tried out for "The All New Mickey Mouse Club" (1989), but was turned down due to her young age. This directed her to an off-Broadway show, "Ruthless", for a 2-year run as the title character. At age 11, she again tried for "The All New Mickey Mouse Club" (1989) and, this time, made it as a mouseketeer alongside many stars of today (Justin Timberlake and J.C. Chasez of *NSYNC and Ryan Gosling). Her big break, however, came when she was signed as a Jive Recording Artist in the late 90s. With the release of her debut album, "...Baby One More Time" in early 1999, Britney became an international success, selling 13 million copies of "Baby" and 9 million (as of July 2001) of her sophomore album, "Oops!...I Did It Again", released in May of 2000.

Mini Biography
"Pop Phenomenon" doesn't come close to describing Britney Spears. The name is legend around the world. So famous is Britney Spears now that it's impossible to imagine a World in which she doesn't exist.

Born to parents Jamie Spears and Lynne Spears, Britney is their second child of three. Her older brother, Bryan Spears, was born in April 1977 and her younger sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, was born in April 1991. They later moved to Kentwood, Louisiana. From a young age, Britney was always fixing to be a star with idols such as Madonna, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, the young Britney could always be heard singing, no matter what else was going on around her. After taking extensive dance and vocal lessons and performing in numerous talent shows and fairs, Britney auditioned for "The All New Mickey Mouse Club" (1989) TV series [1989-1994] when she 8, however, she was too young to get the part. Instead, Britney, her mother and baby sister moved to New York where she starred in several TV adverts and an off-Broadway play, "Ruthless", where she was understudy with Natalie Portman. Her love of music and dance took over and, 2 years later, she auditioned for a part on "Mickey Mouse" again and, this time, won the part along with Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. As a Mouseketeer, Britney received extensive training in dance, drama and singing and had to grow up a lot during that time. However, after the show was canceled two years later, Britney returned home and did "the normal teenager thing", attending pool parties and she was also the Homecoming Queen. As a young teenager, Britney soon grew restless again and this time was desperate to become a star yet again. Again, she traveled to New York and sent out demo tapes to various labels including Sony and Mercury, but was turned down. It was Jive Records that finally took the young Britney on and set out on making her the star she is today.

She hit the studio with writers/producers, such as Max Martin and Eric Foster White, and the result was her debut album. In late 1998, Jive released her debut single "(Hit me) Baby one more time" which was a pop hit around the Globe, accompanied by the sixteen-year-old first of many controversial acts - the video, which featured Britney dressed in a Catholic schoolgirl uniform, baring her midriff, which was soon to become her trademark. Nonetheless, the single was a smash worldwide and Britney was instantly a household name. She toured with the popular boy band *NSYNC and the single shot to the top of the charts for 3 weeks. Her debut album was released a few months later in early 1999 and, like the single, took to the top of the album charts, where it remained number one for six weeks. The album has now sold millions worldwide and is officially 14 x platinum in the US. Her next controversial act, after the video, was to take the cover of Rolling Stones magazine in a suggestive pose, but as Britney mania took off, the 17-year-old became more and more popular. Appealing to young girls, teenage boys and older men, Britney was on her way, yet nobody could have predicted at that time the impact she would have on Pop Culture. The second single, "Sometimes", was released in June 1999 followed by the top 10 hit "Crazy" in September and "from the bottom of my broken heart" soon after. Britney ended 1999 selling over 10 million copies of her debut and, as the Billboard Top Female Pop Artist (singles and albums), Top New Pop Artist, Top Billboard 200 album Artist and Top 100 singles Artist - female. The American Awards, MTV and Teen Choice awards soon began rolling in and, in early 2000, Britney was nominated for two Grammy awards.

At just 18, Britney released her second album in 2000, the #1 smash "Oops! I did it again" and single of the same title, which topped the singles chart for 5 weeks. Smash singles "Stronger" and "Lucky" followed but, it was around this time, that Britney was beginning to raise more than a few eyebrows. It seemed some people weren't too happy with the message she was sending their impressionable young children. On one hand, Britney was the perfect picture of innocence, declaring herself a Virgin until marriage yet, on the other hand, she was sexually charged and provocative, with performance such as the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000, when her costume made her appear scantily-clad. As the young woman was growing up, it seemed there was an internal conflict between her, her management and her mother, all pulling her in different directions. Yet the image the public saw was a gorgeous young woman, beautifully dressed and damn close to perfection, often labeled the "Pop Princess" around the world. Still, the awards kept rolling in and, in early 2001, Britney struck a lucrative deal with Pepsi-Cola for sponsorship and advertising. The 19-year-old was growing up fast, with the media constantly fixed on what she was and wasn't doing, her "rivalry" with former fellow Mouseketeer Christina Aguilera and also her blossoming relationship with *NSYNC heartthrob Justin Timberlake. Britney was keen that people saw her as a growing woman as she began to ready the public for her next LP release in late 2001.

In November, she hit the top 10 with the sexually charged "I'm a slave 4 u" which took a completely different turn in musical direction from her previous singles and, in the same month, released her third LP, self-titled "Britney", which shot to the top of the albums charts, breaking records for a female artist. Her performance of "Slave" at the MTV VMA's caused outrage among animal rights campaigners, as she performed with a live giant snake and wearing little herself. It was a far cry from the Britney of just three years ago, and perhaps the critical moment when what some people would say "she started going downhill". Sales of her third album, while impressive, where not nearly as high as her former releases, perhaps due to the increase of new pop female singers flooding the market, yet Britney, still incredibly popular, carried on. In early 2002, the 20-year-old Britney released "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman", taken from the soundtrack of her debut movie Crossroads (2002/I), which was released in February of that year. She soon after hit the charts with "Overprotected" and also toured worldwide on the "Dream within a dream tour". Yet, it seemed it was all getting too much for Britney, her four year relationship with Timberlake ended suddenly and very publicly and she soon announced she was to take 6 months off, after all, she had achieved so much by such a young age and in such a short space of time. Her star was by no means fading, with "Forbes" declaring her "The World's most powerful celebrity" in mid-2002.

While she may have been on a break from her career, she was by no means breaking from the media, who followed her relentlessly, even more keen to track her down and find out what she was up to. Britney was increasingly letting her pop princess crown slip, admitting she had lost her sacred virginity to Timberlake, outside of marriage. Britney could also be seen smoking and drinking to excess on wild nights out and famously breaking down in tears while being interviewed by Diane Sawyer about her parents (who were recently divorced) and her bitter split from Timberlake. Britney was linked to men such as Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit and openly kissed Colin Farrell at a movie premiere. However, she seemed to get herself back together for her new album released in late 2003. In a blitz of publicity which included the infamous "Like a Virgin" performance and Madonna kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards in August that year. The new album, "In The Zone", was a bid to be seen as a woman and caused controversy with songs on it such as "Breathe on Me" and "Touch of my hand" - which was about masturbation - however, the appeal of Britney was still there and the album topped the Billboard 200 albums charts. The first single to be lifted was "Me against the music" a club hit that featured pop icon Madonna and singing with her was a dream come true for Britney. Now 22, it seemed Britney was in a lot more control over her career, yet her personal life still seemed to be slipping. In January 2004, Britney got "married" to childhood friend Jason Allen Alexander in a Las Vegas ceremony. The incident shocked the world, especially when the marriage was annulled 55 hours later and was described as "a joke taken too far" by her management.

Britney soon released one of her biggest singles, "Toxic", which topped various charts around the world including the UK and Canadian singles charts. The single was a smash-hit and silenced any critics that said Britney no longer had what it took to make a comeback. She soon began her highly publicized and overtly sexual "Onyx Hotel Tour", which was canceled a few months later after Britney damaged her knee during a video shoot and had to receive medical treatment. Other singles off the album included the gold-selling "Everytime", which topped the UK singles charts and, like usual, also carried a fair amount of controversy for its video, which allegedly depicted the star committing suicide after a fight with her boyfriend, played by Stephen Dorff; however, this was "changed" to an accident in which she drowns yet reincarnates. It was around this time that Britney began dating Kevin Federline, a former backup dancer who she had taken on tour with her a few months previously. The snag here was that Kevin came with baggage - in the form of an "ex" girlfriend, heavily pregnant "Moesha" (1996) actress Shar Jackson and their young child. Britney and Kevin soon became engaged and, in September 2004, were married in a secret ceremony, soon after the birth of Kevin's second child. That same month, Britney released a single off her upcoming "Greatest Hits" album (released in November 2004) a cover of Bobby Brown's 1988 hit "My Prerogative".

Britney was a changed woman, no longer concerned with what the public thought of her or her appearance, she parted ways with her manager who she had had since she was 13, and was increasingly stepping out looking more "trailer trash" than multi-millionaire. In February 2005, Britney won her first Grammy for the single "Toxic" as Best Dance Recording. Just two months later, it was announced Britney was pregnant with her first child. A reality TV Series "Britney & Kevin: Chaotic" (2005), which featured the pair getting to know each other the previous year, leading up to their wedding aired on UPN and eventually got a world-wide audience, despite harsh criticism. In September 2005, Britney evolved yet again, this time as a devoted wife and mother, with the birth of her first child, a son, who she named Sean Preston. In November of that year, she released a remix album "B in the mix, the Remixes".

Looking back over the last seven years of this remarkable lady's career and life, it really is hard to imagine what the face of Pop would look like without her. Here is a 24 year-old woman who has grown in the face of the glaring media from innocent School-girl to sexual pop vixen to young wife and mother. Who knows what is next for Britney? Rumours of a comeback album for 2006 have been circulating for a while and also a few more movie productions, yet one thing is for certain: Britney Spears has worked hard to get to where she is today and by no means will she be disappearing any time soon. Her name and face is legend in the media and celebrity circuit and it's surely only a matter of time before Spears shocks us all again, with her next album or tour or movie or personal move. One thing is for certain, though, the public will be watching.

IMDb Mini Biography By: James Bryant (December 2005)

Spouse
Kevin Federline (6 October 2004 - 30 July 2007) (divorced) 2 children
Jason Allen Alexander (3 January 2004 - 5 January 2004) (annulled)

Trade Mark
Shows her midriff during performances

Blonde hair

Her big, bright smile


Trivia
Attended Parklane Academy, a private school in McComb, Mississippi until October 1994. She was on the girls' basketball team.

Was offered a role in Scary Movie (2000), but was forced to turn it down, due to concert scheduling.

Middle sister of Bryan Spears and Jamie Lynn Spears.

Her idol is Madonna.

Sister-in-law of Graciella Sanchez.

Studied at NYC's Professional Performing Arts School.

Daughter of Lynne Spears and Jamie Spears.

First solo artist ever to have a #1 album and single on the Billboard charts at the same time with a debut.

Worked at a novelty shop before making it big.

One of "Teen People" Magazine's "21 Hottest Stars Under 21". [1999]

Caused a stir with the American Family Association by posing in her underwear on the cover of Rolling Stone. [1999]

Was one of People's 50 Most Beautiful People. [1999]

Ended up as the youngest cast member of "The All New Mickey Mouse Club" (1989); during the initial audition, she won the part after Jessica Simpson freaked out at the final question during the initial audition.

Purchased a $1.5-million loft in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, for her brother Bryan Spears. [2000]

Announced that she will attend college and eventually wants to study entertainment law. [2000]

In her first song "Baby One More Time" there is a line "My loneliness is killing me" and in another of her songs, "Stronger", there is a line "My loneliness ain't killing me no more".

Is a natural brunette. She often prefers to dye her hair blonde.

Her flesh-colored outfit at the MTV Video Music Awards created a stir, as it made her look scantily clad. [September 2000]

Requested that writers change the lyrics of her song "Born to Make You Happy." The original version contained sexually explicit lyrics, and Britney felt she was too young to be singing it.

Chicago-based DNA Visual Business Solutions filed a lawsuit against her and her marketing companies, including Britney Brands, Inc., claiming that they failed to pay fees due to the web-designing company for helping set up her website, www.britneyspears.com. [October 2000]

Accepted an endorsement from Pepsi to do TV commercials promoting the soft drink. The first commercial was slated for the 2001 Academy Awards. [2001]

Was selected as #2 among the 100 sexiest women in FHM Magazine. [2001]

March 2001: Her video for "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know" features her doing a love scene with a 23-year-old male model. The original cut contained material so sexually explicit that mother Lynne Spears ordered that parts of the video be edited for content before its release to the public in the spring of 2001.

In her first starring role in the film Crossroads (2002/I), her character was supposed to swear. She ordered that the curse words be taken out so as not to tarnish her image for the younger pre-teen viewers of the film.

2001: During the concert "Rock in Rio" in Brazil, a tape recorder caught her swearing on a microphone she wasn't aware was connected. She was complaining about the fact that they were not playing a vamp before she was to go on stage. Tape recordings of the incident were downloaded by Napster users.

2001: Host of the American Music Awards.

June 2001: Two Texas DJs created a panic for her fans when they falsely reported that the pop princess and her boyfriend, *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake, were in a car accident and that she had died in the crash.

Wrote two books about herself, one with her mom.

September 2001: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) complained to her about the use of four caged cheetahs and a snake for her performance at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, claiming that animals trained for performances are mistreated during the training.

September 2001: Announced that she aims to raise $2 million from her fall tour earnings to donate to the children of police officers and firemen who died when the World Trade Center collapsed.

2001: Her deal with Pepsi netted her upwards of $10 million.

11/11/99: She was the big winner at the MTV Europe Music Awards held in Dublin, winning the awards for Best Female, Best Pop, Best Breakthrough Artist, and Best Song for her hit "...Baby One More Time".

2001: Named one of E!'s "top 20 entertainers of 2001".

She was an aerobic instructor at the gym her parents owned.

2001: Turned down an offer to pose nude for a PETA anti-fur campaign ad.

2002: Voted one of the "Fun and Fearless Females" by Cosmopolitan Magazine.

Though it had been rumored that she would be guesting on the sexually suggestive HBO series "Sex and the City" (1998), playing the niece of Kim Cattrall's character Samantha Jones, a spokesman for HBO denied the reports, saying no such negotiations ever took place.

March 2002: Her Crossroads (2002/I) co-star Taryn Manning denied reports that she, Spears, and Zoe Saldana did a topless scene that was cut from the final edit of the film. According to her and the film's producer, Ann Carli, the "flashing" scene was filmed only from the neck up, and none of the three actresses involved was actually topless during the shoot.

2002: Arrived an hour late for the UK premiere of Crossroads (2002/I) and snubbed fans who had been waiting for her to arrive.

2000: Was voted by 'People' magazine as the fourth most influential person of that year.

2002: Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine.

2001: Was ranked 5th of the 100 Sexiest Women by FHM Taiwan.

June 2002: Came in at #2 in the American edition of FHM's Sexiest Girls of 2002 poll.

2003: Ranked #30 in Maxim's Hot 100 Issue. Placed just ahead of Brittany Murphy and Mya, and behind Rebecca Romijn, Rachel Nichols, Kelly Clarkson and Halle Berry.

2003: Ranked #2 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women In The World , in front of Carmen Electra and behind top-ranked Halle Berry.

2003: Ranked #2 in the "Awesome Multitaskers" section of Stuff's 125 Sexiest Women of the Year 2003 issue, along with hyphenates Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tyra Banks , Mandy Moore, Beyoncé Knowles, Jaime King, Samantha Mumba, Janet Jackson, Estella Warren and Taryn Manning.

11/17/03: Received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is tied with Melissa Gilbert for being the youngest person to accept a Walk of Fame star.

1/3/04: "Taking a joke too far," according to a statement released by her label, she married childhood friend Jason Alexander at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, but quickly had it annulled.

Is a huge fan of Björk.

Has British ancestry on her mother's side of her family.

May 2004: She finally gained the top spot in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2004", moving up from #2 last year.

The other understudy for her off-Broadway role in "Ruthless" was now famous actress Natalie Portman. The two still keep in touch and met recently through a party in New York City.

Is good friends with Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Was ranked #4 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties.

Considered for a role in Chicago (2002). The part went to Lucy Liu.

2004: Acquired a white Maltese dog named Lacy.

Was considered for the role of Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard (2005). The role eventually went to Jessica Simpson.

Is the first woman to have four albums go straight to #1 on the American charts.

Spring 2004: Had emergency arthroscopic surgery after she injured her knee an the set of her music video "Outrageous".

Her wedding dress was designed by Monique Lhuillier.

Has a tattoo of a small black-winged fairy on the back of her spine.

Wrote a "letter of truth" to her fans which was published on her official website, telling her fans that she needed to take a hiatus from her career to concentrate on her marriage with her new husband Kevin Federline and start a family with him. The move thus displeased her bosses at Jive Records. She later had two children with Federline before divorcing him.

2004: Her perfume "Curious" was one of the best selling fragrances of the year.

Angered the animal rights group PETA for wearing a fur jacket on the cover of her "Greatest Hits Album: My Prerogative". She claims she was told it was fake fur. This is the second time PETA has criticized her after she performed on stage with a caged tiger and a snake at the 2001 MTV music awards, after which she apologized and posed for an anti-fur poster.

2002: Ranked #1 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World".

Her name is an anagram of "Presbyterians".

She is mentioned in the songs "The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem, "Riot Girl" by Good Charlotte, "Don't Let Me Get Me" by Pink and "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus.

As of 2010, she is the best-selling female artist of the decade.

February 2005: Won her first Grammy for Best Dance Recording for "Toxic".

In her "...Baby One More Time" music video, her love interest is played by her cousin.

The school scenes in her "Baby One More Time" music video were filmed in the same place the movie Grease (1978) was shot.

April 2005: The guy in her "Curious" fragrance commercial is played by actor Eric Winter of the daytime soap "Days of Our Lives" (1965).

Has two stepchildren (her ex-husband's children from a previous relationship): Kori (b. July 31 2002,) and Kaleb (b. July 20, 2004).

July 2002: Opened a trendy restaurant on East 41st St., New York City, called "Nyla", which is themed around her home state of Louisiana.

Good friends with singer Madonna. They made a song together called "Me Against the Music". The song is on her album "In the Zone".

Is mentioned in Eminem's song "The Real Slim Shady" and is spoofed in the song's music video.

Shares her birthday with Nelly Furtado, Lucy Liu and Gianni Versace.

She wrote her song "Someday" two weeks before she found out she was pregnant.

1996, 1997: Elected junior high most beautiful.

She is the only female artist of the Nielsen Soundscan era to have her first four albums debut at number one.

Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Her ex-husband Kevin Federline was a background dancer for her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake.

Likes to wear T-shirts with slogans on them.

October 2005: She and Kevin Federline were forced to leave their home in California because a brush fire threatened to destroy it and several other houses in that area (including the one of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith).

11 January 2006: Topped the 2005 "Worst Dressed" list of fashion critic Richard Selzer (aka Mr. Blackwell) for wearing clothes that he said made her look like an "over-the-hill Lolita".

Loves Betsey Johnson, Bebe, A/X by Giorgio Armani, Rampage, Abercombie & Fitch, Fred Segal, Gap, Victoria's Secret, and Urban Outfitters.

2003: Accompanied Colin Farrell to the S.W.A.T. (2003) US premiere.

May; 2006: Portrayed as a character in the rock musical "We Will Rock You" by Queen and Ben Elton. The role is being played by Colin Charles in London's West End production.

Was best friends with Christina Aguilera when they performed together on "The All New Mickey Mouse Club" (1989).

Lived with her brother in an apartment in New York City for some time.

August 2006: Posed nude for the cover of "Harper's Bazaar", in a photo similar to Demi Moore's famous September 1991 cover of "Vanity Fair".

2006: Was named most searched name on internet search engine Yahoo!.

2006: Named "Most Controversial Celebrity of 2006" by CNN Headline News for her actions making people discuss about everything from proper parenthood to appearing in public without panties.

2006: Michael Fredo wrote a song about her called "Popstar Lovelife (Britney, I Know)".

1/10/07: After topping the 2005 "Worst Dressed" list of fashion critic Richard Selzer (aka "Mr. Blackwell"), she shared the #1 spot with Paris Hilton in 2006 for wearing clothes that made them look like "two peas in an overexposed box".

2004: Offered to perform at the Republican National Convention, but was turned down.

2007: Ranked #12 in "Forbes" magazine's "The 20 Richest Women in Entertainment" list, estimating her net worth at around $100 million.

February 2007: After shaving her own head with clippers in a Sherman Oaks (CA) hair salon, she visited a tattoo parlor and got several tattoos. Her weird behavior caused worldwide public attention. Some days later she admitted herself to a California treatment facility, but checked out after less than 24 hours.

Topped "FHM" Germany's annual survey searching the "100 Unsexiest Women in the World" in 2005 and 2006.

April 2007: Manager Larry Rudolph sent her to rehab in early 2007. She fired him.

4/2/07: Crowned the "April Fool" (by 76% of all voters) in the "Most Foolish" survey of New York publicist Jeff Barge.

Ranked #8 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.

Was signed on for a role in a film entitled "In The Pink" co-starring comedians Wanda Sykes and Tim Allen, Academy Award winner Cher, and Academy Award nominee Bette Midler. The film was scrapped after years of delay.

Actress Claudette Lali was her wardrobe stylist.

27 September 2007: Manager Jeff Kwatinetz and her lawyer, Laura Wasser, quit.

October 2007: Lost physical custody of her two sons with Kevin Federline due to not having a valid driver's license and failing to take a random drug and alcohol test. Federline has sole custody of the children.

Her 1999 album "Baby, One More Time" has sold 25 million copies worldwide.

Ranked #19 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list.

Aunt of Maddie Briann Aldridge (born June 19, 2008), her sister, Jamie Lynn Spears' daughter.

After a lengthy custody battle over their sons Sean Preston and Jayden James, she and Kevin Federline agreed that he retains sole custody of the children, while she keeps her visitation rights.

Did not return to work until five months after giving birth to her son Sean Preston in order to begin recording her fifth studio album Blackout.

At 18, she became the youngest person in the history of "Saturday Night Live" (1975) to act as a host and the musical guest at the same time on May 13, 2000. She did the same on February 2, 2002 and appeared as the musical guest only on October 18, 2003.

On March 2, 2009 it was announced that she would be the new face of Candie's, taking over from actress Hayden Panettiere.

Her 2009 world tour, "The Circus Starring Britney Spears", became a huge commercial success. The tour's opening show, as well as every show in the two North American legs were sold out, with a total gross of $94 million. The tour also became the highest grossing tour of the year by a solo artist in North America, as well as the fourth overall.

Her single "Outrageous was chosen as the title track for the film Catwoman (2004), but after she injured her knee shooting the music video for the song, the idea was scrapped. Mis-Teeq's single "Scandalous" was chosen as a replacement.

Her sixth album, Circus, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the youngest female artist in history to have five albums debut at number one, thus earning her a place in the Guiness Book of World Records.

Often works with songwriter Max Martin.

Her sixth studio album, Circus, was released on 2nd December 2008, her 27th birthday.

Her single "3" has the shortest title of any song ever reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Her single "3", from her second greatest hits album, The Singles Collection, made her the first artist in over three years to debut at the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the only non-American Idol artist in eleven years to do so.

On November 6, 2008, she won two awards at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008, "Album of The Year" for Blackout and "Act of 2008".

In 2009, after years of absence, Forbes magazine listed her as the 13th most powerful celebrity and the second most top-earning young musician as she made $35 million from June 2008 to June 2009.

Lady Gaga's song "Telephone" was originally written for Spears' sixth album Circus. However, after it failed to make the album's final track listing, Gaga recorded the song as a collaboration with 'Beyonce Knowles' for her second album, The Fame Monster.

Her 6th studio album "Circus" which was released in 2008, became her fifth number 1 album.

Won a Grammy award for her hit song "Toxic." By 2010, Spears received 8 Grammy nominations.

Britney Spears has sold over 100 million albums world wide, making her one of the best-selling American recording artists.

On December 11, 2009 Billboard Magazine named Spears as the second-best selling act of the 2000s.

Her song "Womanizer" gained first-week download sales of 286,000, which is the biggest opening-week tally by a female artist since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking digital downloads in 2003.

Her song "Womanizer" became her fifth number one song on the charts, which put her in a tie for second place for the most number one Top 40 songs in the Mainstream Top 40's sixteen year history. Mariah Carey is in first place with six number one songs.

As of 2009, Spears has had 6 number one singles on the European Hot 100 Singles Chart.

In June 2010, Spears was ranked sixth on the Forbes list of 100 Most Powerful and Influential celebrities in the world (earning more than $64 million in 2009). She is also ranked as the third most powerful musician in the world.

As of May 2010, Spears became the most popular person on twitter, with more than 5.2 million followers at that time.

Her 2009 'Circus' tour was the 5th highest-grossing tour of the year. According to concert trade publication Pollstar, "The Circus Starring Britney Spears" tour grossed more than $130 million.

According to Forbes, Spears is the third highest earning woman in Hollywood, banking $65 million in 2010. This placed her behind Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé Knowles, but higher than Lady Gaga and Madonna.

Received her "Walk of Fame Star" in 2003, at the age of 21. She is the youngest music icon to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Spears was voted as The Number 1 Celebrity You Love Of 2010.

On the 10th of January 2011, Spears' single "Hold It Against Me" set the record for most radio plays in one day in the United States, registering 619 plays on Mediabase and 595 plays on Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (BDS).

"Hold It Against Me" (January 2011) is Spears' fourth single to debut at Number 1, after her songs "3" (2009), "Womanizer" (2008) and "Baby One More Time" (1999). According to Nielsen SoundScan "Hold It Against Me" has also netted 411,000 downloads, which marks the highest first-week tally for a female artist.

Spears' single "Hold It Against Me" (January 2011) made a debut at Number 1. This made her only the second artist in music history to debut more than one song at Number 1, the other artist who managed to do so is Mariah Carey.

Spears' 2011 album Femme Fatal became her sixth number 1 album in the USA. This puts her in a tie with Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson for the third-most number one albums for a female artist, behind Barbra Streisand and Madonna.

In a 2011 US poll, Spears was voted as the 3rd hottest celebrity mom, behind Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie, but ahead of Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba and Kate Beckinsale.

Spear's 2011 album Femme Fatal was her 6th album to debut at number 1, this makes her the first female ever to have six No. 1 album debuts. The album also debuted at No. 1 in Canada, Australia and Korea and entered in the Top 10 in 15 other countries.

Collaborated with Rihanna on a remix of the track S&M, which charted at Number 1 on the Pop songs Billboard chart.

According to Amplicate, Spears is the Most Loved Pop Star on social media (2011).

According to a UK poll in 2009, Spears' music video for her song 'Toxic' was voted as the Sexiest Music Video of All Time.

Between 2004 and 2010, Spears released 9 perfumes which grossed over $2 billion and sold over 1 billion bottles in just 5 years. This makes her the the number 1 celebrity perfume endorser of all-time.

Voted #25 on the 2011 Maxim list of "Hot 100" women.

Ranked #4 in FHM's "Sexiest Women" list in 2009. Previously she was ranked #31 in 2008, #54 in 2007, #5 in 2005, #1 in 2004, #3 in 2003, #3 in 2002, #3 in 2001, #2 in 2000, and #16 in 1999.

Was FHM's #1 Sexiest Woman in 2004.

Ranked #44 in the 2010 FHM UK list of "100 Sexiest Women in the World".

Set to launch her 10th fragrance called "Cosmic Radiance" in August, 2011.

Spears earned her 12th top 10 hit on the Hot 100 Billboard chart with "I Wanna Go," the third single from her 2011 "Femme Fatale" album. It was her 5th consecutive top 10 hit, following her #1 singles "3," "Hold It Against Me," and her appearance on Rihanna's "S&M" remix, while her song "Till the World Ends" charted at #3.

Spears was honored at the 2011 MTV Music Awards. The show paid tribute to Spears and she won 2 awards - the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and the Best Pop Video Award for her song 'Till the World Ends'. The Video Vanguard Award is also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award. It has previously been given to artists such as Davide Bowie, The Beatles, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and U2, among several other artists and music video directors. Spears received the award in 2011, it was handed to her by Lady Gaga.

When Rihanna asked her Twitter followers which artist they'd like to see her collaborate with, the clear answer was Britney Spears. The remix of "S&M" became Britney's 5th #1 hit.

Became the 6th person in Twitter history to reach over 10 million followers on the social networking site (October, 2011). The other celebrities who reached 10 million Twitter followers in 2011 are Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, President Obama and Kim Kardashian.

Is the world's 2nd most searched celebrity in mobile videos, behind Bollywood star Katrina Kaif (2011).

Was the spokesperson/face of Candie's (apparel brand) from 2009-2010.

Reached over 1 billion views on her Vevo (YouTube channel) in October, 2011.

Both of her sons were delivered via Caesarean section.

'Britney Spears' was Yahoo!'s most popular search term between 2005 and 2008, and has been for several different years. Spears was also named as the Most Searched Person by the Guinness World Records book edition 2007 and 2009.

Performed live with Michael Jackson in September, 2001. Together they performed Jackson's song "The Way You Make Me Feel" at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special in Madison Square Garden. This was Jackson's last live performance of the song in front of an audience.

Her inspirations are Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson.

Spears became the youngest female artist in the United Stated to have five albums debut at number 1 (after her 2008 album Circus topped the charts), earning a place in the 2010 Guinness Book of World Records.

Honoured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2011 there was also an exhibit in the museum honouring women in pop music, the nude rhinestone outfit that Britney Spears wore during her performance at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards was one of the artefacts on display.

Spears became the most followed person on Google+ in November, 2011. She beat the site cofounder Larry Page from the top position.

In September 2004, Britney released her first fragrance ('Curious') with Elizabeth Arden. The fragrance broke Elizabeth Arden's first-week gross for a perfume, and ended up being the No. 1 fragrance of 2004 in department stores, as well as one of the best selling perfumes ever. "Curious" earned over $100 million in sales in the first five weeks after its release. As of 2011, Spears has released 10 perfumes and is considered the number 1 celebrity perfume endorser of all time.

Her first album 'Baby One More Time' was released on January 1999, when Spears was 17 years old. It became the best selling album by a teenager ever. It also led to her first Grammy award nominations. Her second album 'Oops!...I Did It Again' (2000) was the fastest-selling album by a female artist ever, selling over 1.3 million copies in the first week.

Was the best-selling teenage artist ever, selling more than 37 million albums world wide before turning 20 in 2001.

First person ever to gain 1 million followers on Google+ [December, 2011].

Became engaged to boyfriend Jason Trawick, after he proposed to her on his 40th birthday [December, 2011].

In a 2011 online Billboard poll, Spears was voted for the 2011 Most Valuable Player award (earning 43% of all votes). She was also the winner of the Best Music Video for "Till the World Ends" (45% of all votes) and Best Tour for "Femme Fatale" (58% of all votes). Spears also won for Best Awards Show Performance for her collaboration with Rihanna at the Billboard Music Awards in 2011. Spears' song "Hold it Against Me" was voted as the second Favorite Hot 100 No. 1 song of 2011, behind "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele, and her album "Femme Fatale" was voted as the second favorite No. 1 album for 2011.

Twitter's year end 2011 charts named Spears the #3 most trending topic in music for the year, as her album "Femme Fatale" trended for two weeks straight, breaking multiple Twitter records including one of the longest trends of all time. The album title continued to be a trending topic on Twitter even during the Super Bowl.

Her song "Till the World Ends" was named #3 on Billboard's Critics' Choice: 20 Best Singles Of 2011.

Her song "How I Roll" was named as the #1 song by Rolling Stone's Top 25 Songs Of 2011 list.

Her song "Till the World Ends" was named as #1 on the Top 10 Pop Songs of 2011 list by PopCrunch.

Ranked #4 in Men's Health 100 Hottest Women of All Time (2011).

At the end of 2011 and start of 2012, a few of her unreleased songs were leaked online, including "Every day" (a song written by Spears herself), "Strangest Love," and "Look Who's Talking Now" (written by Spears). An acoustic version of the song "Don't Keep Me Waiting" was leaked, while an original version of the song appears as a delux edition bonus track on Spears' 2011 album Femme Fatale.

Appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone 7 times by the year 2011. She was on the cover in: April 1999, May 2000, September 2001, December 2001, October 2003, February 2008, and December 2008.

Spears was the No. 3 most trended topic overall in Music on Twitter for the year 2011. In January 2012, there were 40 worldwide trending Twitter topics on Britney Spears in five days. Some of the 14 trending topics about Spears include: Britney Is Our Queen, I'm A Slave 4 Britney, Love 2 Love Britney, We Heart Britney, We Just Love Britney, Britney Is Miss American Dream, Venezuela Loves Britney, World Loves Britney, Britney Queen of Pop, and Hot As Britney.

Her song "Hold It Against Me" made Spears the 3rd female artist in history, behind Madonna and Janet Jackson, to top the Hot 100 chart in three decades, as well as the seventh artist overall.

Gave birth to her first child at age 23, Sean Preston Fiderline (aka Sean Federline) on Septemebr 14, 2005. Child's father is her second husband, Kevin Federline.

Gave birth to her second child at age 24, a son Jayden James Fiderline (aka Jayden Fiderline) on September 12, 2006. Child's father is her second husband, Kevin Federline.

Spears scored a second Google+ record after becoming the first person to gain more than two-million followers on the site (February, 2012).

Was reportedly offered $10 million (the amount was eventually raised to $20 million) to join the second season of Fox's singing competition, "The X Factor" (2011) (US), as a judge, along with Simon Cowell.

Was reportedly offered a role in the middle of "Modern Family" (2009)'s 3rd season, but by the time producers heard from her people, they already had the rest of the season planned.

Named as the "Sexiest songstress" by Victoria's Secret What Is Sexy (the Victoria's Secret Angels' Sexiest Celebrities 2012).

Was the top earning musician of 2012. Despite not releasing an album or going on tour in 2012, Spears earned an estimated $58 million in 12 months according to Forbes. Most of her profits came from her 2011 album "Femme Fatale," her perfume line, and her endorsements. This put Spears ahead of fellow top earning pop stars such Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift.

Britney and Jason Trawick have called off their engagement [January 11, 2013].


Personal Quotes
Marry [Prince William Windsor]? I'd love that. Who wouldn't want to be a princess?

Onstage I'm the happiest person in the world.

[about Deborah Gibson at the 2001 American Music Awards] She's the original bubble-gum diva.

I remember I read this harsh review about my show, and one of my friends told me that this was the exact same stuff people said about Madonna. And it's like, she didn't care. Madonna just came out and was herself. I respect that a lot.

Just because I look sexy on the cover of "Rolling Stone" doesn't mean I'm naughty.

[referring to fellow pop-princess and former Mouseketeer Christina Aguilera] Christina and I are friends no matter what the media makes up.

England is one of my favorite places. The fans are just so crazy.

I would really, really, really like to be a legend like Madonna. Madonna knows what to do next, and when she's performing, the audience is just in awe of her.

Her mother Lynne Spears on Britney's upbringing] I was not a permissive mother at all.

[on her relationship with Justin Timberlake during the "The All New Mickey Mouse Club" (1989)] We were, like, 12 or 13 and it was like, "Hi, do you like me?" It was like puppy love.

[about the tour to promote her third album [released in November 2001] I really want this to be like shocking and in people's faces and edgy. It's just basically, you know, there's a lot of scrutiny with everything I do. And, it's basically saying that I'm not a little girl anymore and this is me. And just, you know, I have to do what I have to do for me, and that's basically the overall scheme of it, yeah.

[about recording a song with boyfriend Justin Timberlake for her third album] I have to say I was a little nervous at first. I'm used to producers going in there and it's like work. And, I go in and I work and I do my vocals and work. And, I thought that it was awkward at first because I was nervous recording with him doing my vocals, but then I just totally forgot that he was my boyfriend, and I just said "Britney, just do the vocals, don't be nervous, don't be retarded like this." But, it ended up being fine, actually. At the very end, I got the best vocals I've ever done.

I dress the way I want. I don't pretend to be someone I'm not.

I love Jessica Simpson. I love her voice. She's amazing. I have her CD, and I have [Christina Aguilera's] CD. I have all of their CDs. They're amazing. You know? I have a lot of respect for them. Anybody who can be in this business . . . the work is so overwhelming sometimes and anybody who can do that I have a lot of respect for.

I find it so funny that people find me so interesting. And, I hate when they're like "Define your image." I don't know what my image is. I just do my thing.

[at a German chocolate museum, 1/18/02] Chocolate for me is just like an orgasm.

Acting is so much fun. It is a different ball game and I want to concentrate on that at the moment. I'm really passionate about what I do. I love entertainment and telling stories to people and I am very lucky that I am doing what I want to do.

[about her visit to the Playboy mansion] All I remember is seeing a bunch of naked girls and thinking, "I got to get out of here."

My views on virginity have not changed. I want to wait to have sex until I'm married. I do. I want to wait, but it's hard. I just want to live my life.

I guess it's because I do have a younger audience that, you know, parents worry about the role model thing. But when I was younger, I looked up to people, but I never wanted to be them. I always had my own identity. I'm an entertainer when I'm on stage, and they need to explain that to their kids. That's not my job to do that.

There are so many teenagers out there that dress more provocatively than I do, and no one says anything about them.

How can I explain this? I don't see myself -- hand on the Bible -- I know I'm not ugly, but I don't see myself as a sex symbol or this goddess-attractive beautiful person at all. When I'm on stage, that's my time to do my thing and go there and be that, and it's fun. It's exhilarating just to be something that you're not. And, people tend to believe it. I guess I just pull it off very well.

Who really cares if I've had sex? It's nobody's business. Trust me, I'm not going to have a press conference to announce it. If I mess up, I'm human. If I have a drink or I'm with someone, I'm human. I'm no different than anyone else my age.

Selling 5 million records is still good. I don't want to get jaded thinking I have to sell 10 million every time. It's not about that.

When I'm under stress, I do yoga. It's when I'm happiest that I have a problem with junk food.

I suck at flirting. There's one thing I don't understand about Hollywood. How they have a relationship, end it, and go right into the next. It's hard for a woman in this industry. Either the guy's going to be really intimidated, or they're going to kiss your ass. I'm just a girl wanting a guy to love me.

I feel like a totally different person than I was two years ago. I feel like so much of my innocence is gone. I'm still me, but this business makes you grow up so fast.

Would you go into a CD store and steal a CD? It's the same thing, people going into the computers and loggin' on and stealing our music.

[about her breakup with boyfriend Justin Timberlake] The most painful thing I have ever experienced was that breakup. We were together so long and I had this vision. You think you're going to spend the rest of your life together. Where I come from, the woman is the homemaker, and that's how I was brought up -- you cook for your kids.

If I was to pick a cartoon character I am most like, I would say Daisy Duck, because she is very stubborn, she has a very feminine sense and she knows what she likes.

As an artist, I would probably go on stage and bump and grind with a dancer. In real life, never.

When I look into a mirror, I am very critical of myself. I see a goofy girl.

Tony Blair? I've never heard of him either. Who is he?

I can't sing the same kind of thing all the time. That would bore me.

I don't listen to anybody. Nobody can tell me anything. I'm stubborn. If somebody tells me not to do something, I do it. But I do listen to Madonna. For some reason I listen to her. I know that sounds really silly. It's nice to have somebody just to ask questions to. She's a visual artist and a deep artist as well. I like the way she thinks. I wish I could be inside her head. I like Madonna's career, and what she's done with her family.

I've got an amazing group of people around me and my family at home. If I don't make my bed and wash the dishes at home, I'm in trouble.

I'm not the type of person that can be cooped up in the hotel room being served all the time. I can't deal with that. I've got to do normal things.

Performing is what I like most. I find the studio very confining. You can do a lot in there, and you get the opportunity to try again and again. But on stage you have the adrenalin going and you've got one shot and the energy is so intense.

It feels like I've been dreaming this forever and then it happens and it feels like a whirlwind. I'm constantly traveling and I miss my friends.

[Justin Timberlake] was my first kiss. We were playing "Truth or Dare" and listening to Janet Jackson. I was 12. His friend dared him to kiss me, so that was my first kiss.

Bottom line: If you love yourself, it will all work out.

This is my dream come true. I can't believe this is happening right now. I can't believe I even have a movie. I feel very blessed to be where I am right now.

[on being photographed without panties] Anyway, thank God for Victoria's Secret's new underwear line!

[on why she has yet to tour Australia] I really love Australia, great place, but it's just so far away to go to for a concert, and that makes it hard - but I'll definitely take a course there for a tour next time. I'd really love to.

[regarding the policies of President George W. Bush regarding the invasion of Iraq] I think we should just trust our president in every decision that he makes and we should just support that.

I've never really wanted to go to Japan. Simply because I don't like eating fish. And I know that's very popular out there in Africa.

[on receiving a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame] I'm seriously speechless right now. This is something that I've dreamed about since I was a little girl. I can't believe I'm actually here with all of you amazing fans. Hello?

How do I keep slim? Having two boys definitely helps, and I love to dance. It's the best way to stay in shape.

I love treating myself to a spa day. Massages are my favorite.

Sometimes I keep it simple and don't wear much make-up - just a little mascara and lip gloss. Other times, I'll play around and do heavier make-up or some fun lipstick.

I love, love, love Madonna! She's one of my inspirations.

I'm really just a boring homebody who loves staying home with my kids and that's where I'm the happiest.

I'm at such a different point in my life now than I was back then. You have to think about all your decisions so much more carefully, because they are affecting your kids too. My priorities have changed, and I do everything for [the boys]. They remind me what life is really all about.

[on her children]: They are my biggest fans. I make up songs and sing to them all the time, they like to watch me dance. In fact, they join in and do their own moves! I couldn't go on tour without them! I'm always very busy when I'm on the road, but I make sure to have quality time with them every single day.

I love Adele. Her voice is just an amazing soulful sound. Her voice stays with you. I love Robyn Carlsson, her 'Body Talk' album is different and interesting.

I believe that all women can create their own world where they shine the brightest. It's all about having the power and confidence to be yourself.

The good thing about being on tour is getting to go overseas to places like Canada.

(on starting her career as a teenager) I was having fun then, but I would stay true to that, you know? I'm still pretty much the same person I was when I started this, but in the beginning, I think I was fearful. So I'd say, just try to embrace moments more. To have a good time with life and don't take it too seriously.

My all time favorite outfit? Probably the school uniform. I think because it was my first video I ever did and the first experience with everything. That's in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. (She wore the school uniform outfit in her song: Hit Me Baby One More Time).

[on her career after being in the music business for more than a decade] I don't really have anything to prove at this point. I just do it for fun and see what happens.

[on turning 30 in 2011] I hear the older you get, the wiser you get and the more you know what you want. Hopefully it'll be a good year.

It's the best feeling in the world when I'm on stage and I'm singing and the fans are singing the words with me.

These parents, they think I'm a role model for their kids, that their kids look at me as some sort of idol. But it's the parents' job to make sure their kids don't turn out that shallow. That's not my responsibility. I'm not responsible for your kid.

I've always been very comfortable being nude. I don't feel like I have anything to hide.

My family, we walked around the house naked. By the time I was 13, may dad was like, "Uh, Britney, it's time to start covering yourself up." I'm very free like that.


Salary
"The X Factor" (2011) $15,000,000 (Season 2)

Where Are They Now
(January 2004) Starring in a Pepsi ad with 'Beyonce Knowles' and Pink. The girls star as gladiators while singing the 'Queen' hit "We will rock you". Amr Diab plays an evil Roman emperor.

(March 2004) Currently touring with ex-"The All New Mickey Mouse Club" (1989) co-star and *NSYNC star, J.C. Chasez, on the second leg of her headlining Onyx Hotel Tour starting in London.

(June 2004) Announced her engagement to backup dancer Kevin Federline.

(October 2004) Released "My Prerogative" from her new greatest hits album.

(December 2004) Recently released her fragance "Curious".

(April 2005) Announced she is expecting her first child with Kevin Federline

(September 2005) Gave birth to a baby boy. The baby weighed 6 lbs and 11 oz.

(September 2005) Released her second perfume "Fantasy".

(February 2006) Has released her new album "Britney Spears In The Mix". The album contains the disco-remixed tracks of most of her popular hits, and one bonus track called "And Then We Kiss".

(May 2006) Announced that she is expecting her second child with her husband, Kevin Federline, after making a surprise appearance to announce the news on "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993).

(November 2006) Filed for divorce from husband Kevin Federline.

(February 2007) Suprised many fans and press when she revealed a shaved head to the public.

(October 2007) Titled her upcoming album, Blackout, due for release November 13th, 2007.

(December 2008) Celebrated her birthday on "Good Morning America" (1975). She is promoting her highly anticipated CD, "Circus".

(March 2009) New Orleans, Louisiana, USA: On her 'Circus' Starring Britney Spears world tour, starting in North America and proceeding to Europe and Australia.

(June 2011) Sacramento, California, USA: On her 'Femme Fatale' world tour, starting in North America and proceeding to Europe, Asia and South America.

(September 2012) Judge on the X Factor (U.S. season 2).