Britney Spears
Born 1981 · Age 44
American pop singer known as the 'Princess of Pop'; multi-platinum recording artist, performer, and cultural figure whose career includes chart-topping albums, major tours, a long conservatorship (2008–2021), product lines, and a 2023 memoir.
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Life & Career Timeline
Begins dance lessons in Kentwood, Louisiana
Started formal dance lessons and performed as a soloist at the annual recital; early start to performing arts training.
Auditions for The Mickey Mouse Club; introduced to NYC agent
Initially rejected as too young for Disney's revival of The Mickey Mouse Club; met agent Nancy Carson who advised Professional Performing Arts School enrollment.
Off-Broadway role in Ruthless! and Star Search appearance
Hired as understudy in the off-Broadway musical Ruthless! and appeared on talent show Star Search; early professional credits.
Joins The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
Cast member for the final two seasons (1992–1994) alongside future stars such as Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera.
Returns home and enrolls at Parklane Academy
After The Mickey Mouse Club cancellation, returned to Mississippi and attended Parklane Academy in McComb; continued to pursue career ambitions.
Signed to Jive Records (development/recording deal)
Manager Larry Rudolph pitched her demo to multiple labels; Jive Records signed Spears and began developing her debut album.
L'Oreal Hair Zone Mall Tour and NSYNC opening act
Promoted upcoming debut album with shopping-mall performances and served as an opening act for NSYNC on tour.
Records debut material at Cheiron Studios in Sweden
Recorded half of her debut album with producers including Max Martin, Denniz Pop, and Rami Yacoub (March–April 1998).
Releases debut single '...Baby One More Time'
Lead single from debut album; music video featuring schoolgirl imagery became cultural phenomenon; later reached #1 in the US.
Debut album '...Baby One More Time' released and debuts at #1
Released January 1999; debuted at #1 on Billboard 200; certified multi‑platinum quickly; sold ~30 million copies worldwide (sources vary 25–30M).
First headlining tour: ...Baby One More Time Tour
Began June 1999 touring North America as her first major headlining tour; received positive reviews and notable media attention.
Graduates via distance learning from University of Nebraska High School
Completed high school education by distance learning while maintaining career commitments.
Releases second album 'Oops!... I Did It Again' (record first-week sales)
Album debuted at #1 in the US with 1.3 million first-week sales (SoundScan record for a solo artist); has sold ~20+ million copies worldwide.
2000 MTV Video Music Awards provocative performance
Performed on September 7, 2000 and revealed a sequined bodysuit during a notable, sexually-charged performance that marked a shift in her public persona.
Hosts American Music Awards & performs at Super Bowl XXXV halftime
High-profile appearances in January/early 2001 including hosting the 28th AMAs and performing with NSYNC and Aerosmith at the Super Bowl halftime show.
Signs $7–8 million Pepsi promotional deal
Major corporate endorsement reported at $7–8M, increasing mainstream commercial revenue and visibility.
Releases third album 'Britney' (debut #1)
Album debuted at #1 and sold ~10 million copies worldwide; marked a more mature sonic direction influenced by hip-hop and R&B producers.
Film debut: 'Crossroads' released (lead role)
Co-starred in Crossroads (2002); film grossed approximately $61.1 million worldwide on a $12M budget.
Opens restaurant 'Nyla' in New York City
Opened Nyla in June 2002; terminated partnership in November 2002 citing mismanagement and lack of communication.
Performs at 2003 MTV VMAs; onstage kiss with Madonna and Christina Aguilera
Iconic moment during the VMAs performance opening with Christina Aguilera and joined by Madonna in a widely publicized kiss.
Releases 'In the Zone' (fourth studio album)
Album debuted at #1 US with ~609,000 first-week sales and included hits 'Toxic' (won 2004 Grammy Best Dance Recording) and 'Me Against the Music' (feat. Madonna).
Marriage to Jason Allen Alexander (annulled after 55 hours)
Impulsive Las Vegas wedding that was annulled 55 hours later; widely-reported episode reflecting personal turmoil.
Marries Kevin Federline
Public, high-profile marriage after brief engagement (ceremony Sept 18, 2004; legally married Oct 6, 2004 due to prenup delay).
Launches perfume 'Curious' with Elizabeth Arden
Debut fragrance for Elizabeth Arden; broke the company's first-week gross for a perfume, kicking off a lucrative fragrance business.
Fantasy fragrance with Elizabeth Arden launched (billion-dollar revenue)
Fragrance brand 'Fantasy' (2005) generated over $1.5 billion in sales by 2011 per reports; major commercial success outside music.
Birth of first son Sean Preston Federline
First child with Kevin Federline born Sept 14, 2005.
Birth of second son Jayden James Federline
Second child born in September 2006 (often cited as Sept 2 or Sept 12 in various sources); intensified public scrutiny.
Files for divorce from Kevin Federline
Filed for divorce in November 2006 citing irreconcilable differences; divorce finalized July 2007 with global settlement and custody arrangement.
Shaves head; enters and exits treatment (very public episode)
Public breakdown in February 2007 including head shaving and brief stays in treatment facilities; widely covered and led to welfare checks.
2007 MTV VMAs 'Gimme More' performance criticized
Opening performance widely panned for apparent inability to perform, fueling concerns over mental health and career stability.
Releases 'Blackout' (fifth studio album)
Blackout released Oct 2007 to strong critical praise; debuted top charts internationally though it was #2 in US; sold ~3.1M by end of 2008.
Psychiatric holds and custody changes (Jan 2008)
Institutionalized at Cedars-Sinai and later placed on a 5150 involuntary hold at UCLA; visitation suspended and Federline given sole custody temporarily.
Conservatorship established (father Jamie files suit)
February 2008: Jamie Spears and attorney Andrew Wallet were granted a temporary conservatorship over Spears' affairs; arrangement extended later and became long-term.
Wins 3 MTV Video Music Awards for 'Piece of Me'
At the 2008 MTV VMAs Spears won Video of the Year, Best Female Video, and Best Pop Video for 'Piece of Me'.
Releases 'Circus' (sixth studio album)
Released Dec 2008, debuted at #1 in US and other territories; lead single 'Womanizer' became #1 on Billboard Hot 100; Circus sold ~4M worldwide.
Circus Starring Britney Spears tour begins
Tour began March 2009 and grossed US$131.8 million, becoming one of the year's top-grossing tours (5th highest that year).
Releases 'The Singles Collection' and single '3' reaches #1
Greatest hits compilation released in Nov 2009; single '3' became her third #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Designs limited edition Candie's clothing line
Released a Candie's collection in July 2010 as part of endorsement/licensing deals.
Releases 'Femme Fatale' (seventh studio album)
Album debuted at #1 US; spawned #1 single 'Hold It Against Me' which debuted at #1 on Billboard Hot 100; album certified platinum and sold ~2.4M by 2014.
Femme Fatale Tour (79 performances)
Tour began June 2011 and ended Dec 10, 2011 after 79 performances; first ten dates grossed $6.2M.
Receives Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
Honored at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement in music videos/performance.
Engaged to Jason Trawick
Announced engagement in December 2011; Trawick later appointed co-conservator (April 2012) before the engagement ended in Jan 2013.
Featured on will.i.am's 'Scream & Shout' (commercial success)
Collaboration with will.i.am peaked at #3 US and was among the best-selling songs of 2012/2013 with global sales reported >8.1M.
Joins 'The X Factor' as a judge (Season 2) — $15M salary
Replaced Nicole Scherzinger as a judge for the U.S. version of The X Factor (Season 2); reported salary ~$15 million, highest-paid on a TV singing competition at that time.
Releases 'Britney Jean' (eighth studio album)
Released Dec 3, 2013 via RCA; debuted at #4 US with first-week sales ~107,000; became her lowest-selling/peaking album in the US to that point.
Begins Las Vegas residency 'Britney: Piece of Me'
Residency at Planet Hollywood began Dec 27, 2013; initially two years (100 shows 2014–2015) and ultimately extended through Dec 2017; hugely successful residency.
Wins Favorite Pop Artist at People's Choice Awards
Won Favorite Pop Artist at the 40th People's Choice Awards; continued mainstream recognition.
Launches 'The Intimate Britney Spears' apparel line
Announced intimate apparel line in Aug 2014 with US release Sept 9, later available in Europe; commercial licensing expansion.
Wins Candie's Style Icon Award at Teen Choice Awards
Received Candie's Style Icon Award at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards; her ninth Teen Choice Award overall.
Releases single 'Pretty Girls' with Iggy Azalea
Collaboration released May 14, 2015; peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100; performed at the Billboard Music Awards.
Releases 'Glory' (ninth studio album)
Released in 2016 to positive reviews as a return-to-form; included singles such as 'Make Me…' featuring G-Eazy.
Launches mobile game 'Britney Spears: American Dream'
Role-play/gaming app released in May 2016 by Glu Mobile on iOS and Android; an extension of her brand into mobile gaming.
Closes Las Vegas residency 'Piece of Me' (over 140 performances)
Residency ended Dec 2017 after more than 140 performances; grossed reportedly over $137–138 million over the run and won Las Vegas best-of awards.
Receives GLAAD Vanguard Award
Honored with the GLAAD Vanguard Award (2018) for contributions to LGBTQ acceptance and media representation.
Plans 'Domination' residency put on hold and later canceled
Second Las Vegas residency 'Domination' postponed late 2018 due to father's health and officially canceled Jan 2019; she later entered treatment.
#FreeBritney movement gains momentum
Fan-led campaign turned into a movement in support of Spears' autonomy and against her conservatorship; high public scrutiny and protests increased.
Releases trio of singles ('Mood Ring', 'Swimming in the Stars', 'Matches')
Released multiple standalone singles in 2020 including 'Matches' with the Backstreet Boys; maintained musical output during conservatorship.
Documentary 'Framing Britney Spears' airs, reigniting scrutiny
FX/New York Times documentary (Feb 2021) catalyzed renewed public interest in her conservatorship and media treatment.
Public court testimony against conservatorship
Gave explosive testimony in June 2021 describing the conservatorship as abusive and expressing desire for her life back; key turning point in legal battle.
Judge suspends father Jamie Spears as conservator
September 29, 2021 hearing where Judge Brenda J. Penny suspended Jamie Spears; court said the conservatorship was 'not tenable.'
Conservatorship terminated
A Los Angeles judge officially terminated the nearly 14-year conservatorship in November 2021, restoring Spears' legal rights.
Signs $15 million book deal with Simon & Schuster
February 2022: Reported $15M deal for memoir (The Woman in Me); major publishing contract after conservatorship ended.
Announces pregnancy and suffers miscarriage
Announced pregnancy in April 2022; in May 2022 revealed she had experienced a miscarriage.
Marries Sam Asghari
Married longtime partner Sam Asghari in June 2022, about six months after conservatorship ended.
Releases duet 'Hold Me Closer' with Elton John
August 2022 duet debuted on Billboard Hot 100 and became her highest-charting single since 2012; notable musical comeback moment.
Ongoing musical collaborations and releases
Released 'Mind Your Business' with will.i.am in 2023 and continued releasing singles and collaborations post-conservatorship.
Reveals 2000 abortion in memoir
Memoir excerpt disclosed she had an abortion in late 2000 while dating Justin Timberlake; major personal disclosure impacting public narrative.
Sam Asghari files for divorce
After reports of separation in July 2023, Asghari filed for divorce on August 16, 2023 citing irreconcilable differences.
Publishes memoir 'The Woman in Me'
Memoir released Oct 24, 2023 (debuted at #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list); reveals personal details including conservatorship abuse and past abortion.
Divorce from Sam Asghari reportedly finalized (public reports 2024/2025)
Public media reported settlement/amicable settlement processes in 2024 (reports vary); included in timeline due to personal legal closure.
Key Achievement Ages
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