Career Timeline of Britney Spears: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Britney Spears, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Britney Spears, dubbed the "Princess of Pop," is a highly influential American singer celebrated for her impact on 21st-century music and credited with reviving the teen pop genre. Recognized for her captivating stage presence and genre-bending explorations across pop, R&B, electropop, and adult contemporary, she remains a prominent figure in popular music.
December 1992: Appearance in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
In December 1992, Britney Spears appeared in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club alongside other cast members, including Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling.
1992: Early Career
In 1992, Britney Spears began her career as a cast member for the Ruthless! musical and The All-New Mickey Mouse Club television series.
1992: Houston's I Have Nothing
When auditioning with Jive Records, Britney Spears sang Houston's "I Have Nothing".
June 1997: Negotiations with Lou Pearlman
In June 1997, Britney Spears negotiated with manager Lou Pearlman to join the female pop group Innosense. Her mother sought advice from entertainment lawyer Larry Rudolph and submitted a tape of Britney singing over a Whitney Houston karaoke song.
1997: Signed with Jive Records
In 1997, Britney Spears signed with Jive Records, marking a significant step in her early music career.
April 1998: Recording Debut Album in Sweden
From March to April 1998, Britney Spears recorded half of her debut album at Cheiron Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, with producers Max Martin, Denniz Pop, and Rami Yacoub.
September 1998: "...Baby One More Time" Single Release
In September 1998, Britney Spears released "...Baby One More Time" as the lead single from her debut album. Jive Records originally wanted the music video to be animated, but Spears suggested the final concept of a Catholic schoolgirl.
December 1998: Teen Pop Explosion
In December 1998, Britney Spears' single and video charted highly, marking the forefront of the female teen pop explosion and influencing other artists like Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and Mandy Moore.
1998: Release of '...Baby One More Time'
In 1998, Britney Spears released '...Baby One More Time', which was described as a pop manifesto that revolutionized the sound of pop music.
1998: ...Baby One More Time Single Release
In 1998, Britney Spears released the single "...Baby One More Time" which reached number one in the US.
January 1999: ...Baby One More Time Album Release
In January 1999, Jive Records released Britney Spears' debut album ...Baby One More Time, which debuted at number one on Billboard 200 and was certified two-times platinum after a month.
February 1999: "...Baby One More Time" Tops Billboard Hot 100
In January-February 1999, Britney Spears' single "...Baby One More Time" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks.
April 1999: Controversy over Rolling Stone Cover
In April 1999, Britney Spears' Rolling Stone cover, which depicted a 17-year-old Spears in an exposed bra and hot pants while cradling a Teletubby, sparked controversy. The American Family Association (AFA) criticized the image, calling for a boycott of her albums. Spears defended the photos and asserted her strong morals.
June 1999: ...Baby One More Time Tour Begins
In June 1999, Britney Spears began her first headlining ...Baby One More Time Tour in North America, which was positively received by critics but also generated some controversy due to her racy outfits.
September 1999: Jessica Simpson's Charting Success
In September 1999, Jessica Simpson's song "I Wanna Love You Forever" charted, with her album Sweet Kisses following shortly after, marking a significant moment in her career and contributing to the teen pop explosion.
1999: Debut Album Release
In 1999, Britney Spears debuted with the best-selling album ...Baby One More Time.
March 2000: (You Drive Me) Crazy Tour
In March 2000, Britney Spears followed her previous tour with an extension titled (You Drive Me) Crazy Tour, during which she premiered songs from her upcoming second album.
May 2000: Oops!... I Did It Again Album Release
In May 2000, Britney Spears' second album, Oops!... I Did It Again, was released and debuted at number one in the US, selling 1.3 million copies and breaking the Nielsen SoundScan record for the highest debut sales by any solo artist.
September 7, 2000: 2000 MTV Video Music Awards Performance
On September 7, 2000, Britney Spears performed at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, where she removed her black suit to reveal a sequined flesh-colored bodysuit, followed by a heavy dance routine. It marked a shift towards a more provocative persona.
2000: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
Britney Spears' 2000 MTV Video Music Awards performance was lauded.
2000: Shades of Britney Release
In 2000, Britney Spears released a limited edition of sunglasses titled Shades of Britney.
2000: Oops!... I Did It Again Album Release
In 2000, Britney Spears released her album Oops!... I Did It Again.
January 2001: American Music Awards, Rock in Rio, Super Bowl XXXV
In January 2001, Britney Spears hosted the 28th Annual American Music Awards, starred at Rock in Rio alongside NSYNC, and performed as a special guest in the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show headlined by Aerosmith and NSYNC.
February 2001: Promotional Deal with Pepsi and Book Release
In February 2001, Britney Spears signed a $7-8 million promotional deal with Pepsi and released another book co-written with her mother, A Mother's Gift.
September 11, 2001: Twin Towers Fund Support
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Britney Spears and The Britney Spears Foundation provided support to the Twin Towers Fund to support the children of uniformed service heroes.
October 30, 2001: Artists Against AIDS Worldwide Release
On October 30, 2001, Britney Spears, alongside Bono and other recording artists under the name "Artists Against AIDS Worldwide", released an album consisting of multiple versions of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", intending to benefit AIDS programs in Africa and other impoverished regions.
November 2001: Britney Album Release
In November 2001, Britney Spears' third studio album, Britney, was released.
2001: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
Britney Spears' 2001 MTV Video Music Awards performance was lauded.
2001: Britney Album and Film Debut
In 2001, Britney Spears released her third album, Britney, and made her film debut in Longshot.
2001: Deals with Skechers and Pepsi
In 2001, Britney Spears signed a deal with Skechers, and a $7–8 million promotional deal with Pepsi, marking Pepsi's biggest entertainment deal at the time.
2001: Highest-Paid Female Musician
In 2001, Forbes listed Britney Spears as the world's highest-paid female musician.
2001: Recognition as Best-Selling Teenage Artist
In 2001, before turning 20, Britney Spears was recognized as the best-selling teenage artist, having sold over 37 million albums worldwide.
2001: Release of album 'Britney' marks shift in image
In 2001, the release of Britney Spears' self-titled album, 'Britney', marked a shift in her public image, moving away from her earlier innocent persona and towards a more mature, adult image.
February 2002: Release of Crossroads
In February 2002, Britney Spears starred in the film Crossroads, which, despite receiving mixed reviews, became a box office success, grossing over $61.1 million worldwide with a $12 million budget. Critics lauded Spears' performance in the film.
April 2002: Grant to Twin Towers Fund
In April 2002, through the efforts of Britney Spears and The Britney Spears Foundation, a grant of $1 million was made to the Twin Towers Fund to support the children of uniformed service heroes affected by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
June 2002: Opening of Nyla Restaurant
In June 2002, Britney Spears opened her first restaurant, Nyla, in New York City.
June 19, 2002: Britney's Dance Beat Video Game Release
On June 19, 2002, Britney Spears released her first multi-platform video game, Britney's Dance Beat, which received positive reviews.
July 2002: Six-Month Break Announcement
In July 2002, Britney Spears announced that she would be taking a six-month break from her career.
November 2003: Release of "In The Zone" Album
In November 2003, Britney Spears released her fourth studio album, In the Zone. The album sold over 609,000 copies in its first week in the United States, making Spears the first female artist in the SoundScan era to have her first four studio albums debut at number one. The album produced four singles: "Me Against the Music", "Toxic", "Everytime", and "Outrageous".
2003: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
Britney Spears' 2003 MTV Video Music Awards performance was lauded.
2003: In the Zone Album Release
In 2003, Britney Spears released her album In the Zone.
2003: Release of "In the Zone" solidifies adult image
In 2003, with the release of the album "In the Zone", Britney Spears completed her transition into adulthood, fully embracing a mature and sexualized image, drawing comparisons to Christina Aguilera.
March 2004: Onyx Hotel Tour Begins
In March 2004, Britney Spears embarked on the Onyx Hotel Tour to promote her album "In The Zone".
June 2004: Cancellation of Onyx Hotel Tour Due to Injury
In June 2004, Britney Spears canceled her Onyx Hotel Tour after injuring her left knee during the music video shoot for "Outrageous". She underwent surgery and rehabilitation.
October 2004: Career Break and Release of Curious Perfume
In October 2004, Britney Spears announced a career break to start a family and released her first perfume, Curious, with Elizabeth Arden, which broke the company's first-week gross record for a perfume.
November 2004: Release of Greatest Hits: My Prerogative
In November 2004, Britney Spears released her first greatest hits compilation album, Greatest Hits: My Prerogative. Spears' cover version of Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" was the lead single from the album.
2004: Curious Perfume Release
In 2004, Britney Spears released her first perfume with Elizabeth Arden, Curious, which broke the company's first-week gross for a perfume.
May 17, 2005: Premiere of Reality Show Britney and Kevin: Chaotic
On May 17, 2005, Britney Spears' reality show Britney and Kevin: Chaotic, which chronicled their relationship, premiered on UPN.
August 2005: Release of "Someday (I Will Understand)"
In August 2005, Britney Spears released "Someday (I Will Understand)", which was dedicated to her first child, Sean Preston.
November 2005: Release of B in the Mix: The Remixes
In November 2005, Britney Spears released her first remix compilation, B in the Mix: The Remixes, which consists of 11 remixes.
2005: Hurricane Katrina Donation
In 2005, Britney Spears donated $350,000 to Music Rising for Hurricane Katrina victims.
2005: Fantasy Fragrance Launch
In 2005, Britney Spears launched the fragrance Fantasy with Elizabeth Arden, Inc.
August 2006: Harper's Bazaar Nude Cover
Britney Spears posed nude for the August 2006 cover of Harper's Bazaar.
May 2007: The M+M's Tour
In May 2007, Britney Spears produced a series of promotional concerts at House of Blues venues, titled The M+M's Tour.
October 2007: Release of Blackout Album
In October 2007, Britney Spears released her fifth studio album, Blackout. The album debuted atop the charts in Canada and Ireland, and at number two in the US Billboard 200.
2007: MTV Video Music Awards Presentation
Britney Spears' 2007 presentation at the MTV Video Music Awards was widely panned by critics.
2007: Blackout Album Release
In 2007, Britney Spears released her album Blackout.
2007: Britney Album Recognition
In 2007, Entertainment Weekly named Britney's album, Britney, as one of the best albums of the preceding 25 years.
September 2008: MTV Video Music Awards Wins
In September 2008, Britney Spears won Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year for "Piece of Me" at the MTV Video Music Awards.
December 2008: Release of Circus Album
In December 2008, Britney Spears released her sixth studio album, Circus, which debuted at number one in Canada, Czech Republic, and the United States. The release occurred two months after her conservatorship was extended indefinitely.
2008: Media Attention after MTV Video Music Awards
In 2008, Britney Spears received media attention for her appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, which was seen as a sign of recovery after a difficult period.
2008: Conservatorship and Circus Album
In 2008, Britney Spears was placed under a controversial conservatorship and recorded the Circus album.
2008: Blackout Wins Album of the Year at MTV Europe Music Awards
In 2008, Britney Spears' album Blackout won Album of the Year at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
March 2009: Candie's Brand Ambassadorship
In March 2009, Britney Spears was announced as the new face of clothing brand Candie's, marking a career comeback.
December 2009: Billboard's Artist of the Decade Ranking
In December 2009, Billboard ranked Britney Spears as the 8th Artist of the 2000s decade in the United States, marking a significant achievement in her career.
2009: Seventh Perfume Release
By 2009, Britney Spears had released seven more perfumes, including Fantasy.
2009: "3" Reached Number One
In 2009, Britney Spears had one of her US Top 40 songs, the number one hit, "3".
July 2010: Candie's Limited Edition Line Release
In July 2010, Britney Spears designed a limited edition line for clothing brand Candie's, which was released in stores.
2010: Radiance Fragrance Release
In 2010, Britney Spears released her eighth fragrance, Radiance.
2011: Fantasy Fragrance Sales
By 2011, Britney Spears' 2005 fragrance Fantasy with Elizabeth Arden, Inc. had generated over $1.5 billion in sales.
2011: Femme Fatale Album Release
In 2011, Britney Spears released the album Femme Fatale.
2011: Product Placement Earnings
In 2011, Britney Spears teamed up with Sony, Make Up For Ever, and Plenty of Fish to release her music video for "Hold It Against Me", earning her $500,000 for the product placement.
2011: Cosmic Radiance Reissue
In 2011, Radiance was reissued as a new perfume titled Cosmic Radiance.
2011: Second Artist to Debut at Number One
In 2011, with "Hold It Against Me", Britney Spears became the second artist after Mariah Carey in the Hot 100's history to debut at number one with two or more songs.
2012: Twister Dance Collaboration
In 2012, Britney Spears teamed up with Hasbro to release an exclusive version of Twister Dance, which includes a remix of "Till the World Ends". She was also featured in a commercial to promote the game.
2012: Highest-Paid Female Musician (Again)
In 2012, Forbes listed Britney Spears as the world's highest-paid female musician for the second time.
2013: Britney Jean Album Release
In 2013, Britney Spears released her second album, Britney Jean.
2013: Spears calls Britney and Kevin: Chaotic the worst thing she's done in her career
In 2013, Spears reflected on Britney and Kevin: Chaotic, referring to the show as "probably the worst thing I've done in my career".
2015: Forbes Ranking
In 2015, Forbes named Britney Spears the sixth-highest-earning female musician.
May 2016: Britney Spears: American Dream Launch
In May 2016, Britney Spears' role-playing game, Britney Spears: American Dream, created in collaboration with Glu Mobile, officially launched and is compatible with iOS and Android.
June 17, 2016: Private Show Fragrance Release
On June 17, 2016, Britney Spears announced the release of her twentieth fragrance, Private Show.
October 27, 2016: Britney Spears Piece of Me Charity Ride
On October 27, 2016, Britney Spears partnered with Zappos and XCYCLE to host the Britney Spears Piece of Me Charity Ride in Boca Park, Las Vegas to raise additional money toward her goal of $1 million for the NCCF, with $450,000 having already been raised from Spears' ticket sales and merchandise. The event ultimately raised $553,130.
2016: MTV Video Music Awards Comeback Performance
Britney Spears' 2016 MTV Video Music Awards performance was described by Billboard as an "effective, but not entirely glorious, bid to regain pop superstardom".
2016: Lip-syncing Accusations and Defense
In 2016, Britney Spears faced continued scrutiny over alleged lip-syncing during live performances, which some defended as a necessary part of her high-energy shows that involve strenuous dance routines. Spears herself defended her use of playback, stating that she sings and dances simultaneously and feels she doesn't get enough credit for it.
2016: Criticism of concert showmanship and dance abilities.
In 2016, Britney Spears faced criticism regarding her "showmanship" and dance abilities during her Las Vegas concert residency. Critics noted a stiffness and reliance on arm movements, while others praised her "flawless performance" on the residency's opening night.
2016: Glory Album Release
In 2016, Britney Spears released the album Glory.
January 2017: People's Choice Awards Wins
In January 2017, Britney Spears won four awards at the 43rd People's Choice Awards, including Favorite Pop Artist, Female Artist, Social Media Celebrity, and Comedic Collaboration for a skit with Ellen DeGeneres on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
March 2017: Britney: Live in Concert World Tour Announcement
In March 2017, Britney Spears announced that her residency concert would be performed abroad as a world tour, called Britney: Live in Concert, with dates planned in select Asian cities.
April 29, 2017: Icon Award at Radio Disney Music Awards
On April 29, 2017, Britney Spears was the first recipient of the Icon Award at the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards.
December 2017: Support for the DREAM Act
In December 2017, Britney Spears showed her support for the DREAM Act by posting a photo on social media wearing a "We Are All Dreamers" T-shirt, advocating for the passage of the Act.
December 31, 2017: Final Show of Britney: Piece of Me
On December 31, 2017, Britney Spears performed the final show of Britney: Piece of Me. The performance reportedly grossed $1.172 million, setting a new box office record for a single show in Las Vegas, breaking the record previously held by Jennifer Lopez. Performances of "Toxic" and "Work Bitch" were aired on ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.
January 2018: Sunset Fantasy Perfume Release and Piece of Me Tour Announcement
In January 2018, Britney Spears released her 24th perfume, Sunset Fantasy, with Elizabeth Arden, and announced the Piece of Me Tour, scheduled for July 2018 in North America and Europe.
January 2018: 24 Fragrances Released
As of January 2018, Britney Spears had released 24 fragrances through Elizabeth Arden.
March 2018: Kenzo Brand Ambassadorship
In March 2018, it was revealed that Britney Spears would be the face of Kenzo, a contemporary French luxury clothing house.
March 20, 2018: Kenzo Campaign
On March 20, 2018, Britney Spears was announced as part of a campaign for the French luxury fashion house Kenzo. The company aimed to 'shake up' the fashion world with Spears' 'La Collection Memento No. 2' campaign.
April 12, 2018: GLAAD Vanguard Award
On April 12, 2018, Britney Spears was honored with the 2018 GLAAD Vanguard Award at the GLAAD Media Awards for her role in "accelerating acceptance for the LGBTQ community".
April 27, 2018: Fashion Line Partnership with Epic Rights
On April 27, 2018, Epic Rights announced a new partnership with Britney Spears to debut her own fashion line in 2019, which would include clothing, fitness apparel, accessories, and electronics.
July 2018: Prerogative Fragrance Release
In July 2018, Britney Spears released her first unisex fragrance, Prerogative.
July 2018: Piece of Me Tour
In July 2018, Britney Spears' Piece of Me Tour took place in North America and Europe. Tickets sold out quickly, and additional dates were added due to high demand. Pitbull was the supporting act for the European leg.
October 18, 2018: Britney: Domination Residency Announcement
On October 18, 2018, Britney Spears announced her second Las Vegas residency show, Britney: Domination, set to launch at Park MGM's Park Theatre on February 13, 2019.
October 21, 2018: Piece of Me Tour Final Performance at Formula One Grand Prix
On October 21, 2018, Britney Spears performed at the Formula One Grand Prix in Austin, marking the final performance of her Piece of Me Tour.
2018: GLAAD Vanguard Award Recipient
In 2018, Britney Spears received the GLAAD Vanguard Award for her role in promoting acceptance for the LGBTQ community. Spears thanked her LGBTQ fans for their unwavering loyalty and inspiration.
January 4, 2019: Indefinite Hiatus and Residency Cancellation
On January 4, 2019, Britney Spears announced an indefinite hiatus and the cancellation of her Las Vegas residency after her father, Jamie, suffered a near-fatal colon rupture.
2019: Withdrawal from Concert Touring
In 2019, Britney Spears withdrew from regular concert touring to focus on her conservatorship case.
February 2020: Opening of 'The Zone' Interactive Pop-Up Museum
In February 2020, an interactive pop-up museum dedicated to Britney Spears, named "The Zone", opened in Los Angeles, though it was later suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2020: Participating in #DoYourPartChallenge
In March 2020, Britney Spears participated in the #DoYourPartChallenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging fans to message her on Instagram for supportive words and selecting three fans to assist.
May 2020: Release of 'Mood Ring' and New Glory Album Cover
In May 2020, Britney Spears released Glory's Japanese-exclusive bonus track, "Mood Ring," as a single, and debuted a new cover of the album to streaming and digital platforms worldwide.
2020: '...Baby One More Time' Ranked #1 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Debut Singles
In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked Britney Spears' debut single '...Baby One More Time' at number one on their list of the 100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time, calling it a game-changer for pop music.
2021: Legacy as 'Princess of Pop'
In 2021, Britney Spears was acknowledged as the 'Princess of Pop', credited with spearheading the resurgence of teen pop in the late 1990s. Her impact on music and culture is recognized, along with her struggles and resilience.
August 26, 2022: Release of 'Hold Me Closer' with Elton John
On August 26, 2022, Britney Spears and Elton John released the duet "Hold Me Closer", a remake of John's 1972 single "Tiny Dancer". It was Spears' first musical release since dissolving her conservatorship.
July 21, 2023: Release of 'Mind Your Business' with will.i.am
On July 21, 2023, Britney Spears and the rapper will.i.am released their single, "Mind Your Business".
October 2023: Publication of 'The Woman in Me' Memoir
In October 2023, Britney Spears published her second memoir, "The Woman in Me", detailing her rise to fame, public media events, her conservatorship, and newfound freedom. The book sold 1.1 million copies in the US and 2.4 million copies worldwide in its first week.
2023: The Woman in Me Memoir Release
In 2023, Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me, was released and debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.
January 2024: Reports of Songwriting for Spears
In January 2024, reports circulated that Charli XCX and Julia Michaels had been asked to write songs for Britney Spears, but Spears denied she would return to the music industry.
February 2024: Partnership with Glace for "Britney Brûlée" dessert
In February 2024, Britney Spears collaborated with New York City dessert shop Glace to launch the "Britney Brûlée" dessert, donating a portion of the sales proceeds to The Trevor Project.
May 2024: Charli XCX Confirms Songwriting Offer
In May 2024, Charli XCX confirmed that she was asked to write for Britney Spears and traveled to Malibu but the recording did not happen, with the team being present but not Spears.
Mentioned in this timeline
Lady Gaga born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta is a highly...
Pepsi is a cola-flavored carbonated soft drink and the flagship...
Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service owned...
Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a highly successful Barbadian singer actress...
Katy Perry Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson is a highly successful American...
Mariah Carey is a highly acclaimed American singer-songwriter record producer...
Trending
13 days ago James Gunn Plans Superman Sequel Shooting Soon; Teases 'Peacemaker' Role in DCU.
13 days ago Motorcycle crash in Beloit on Cranston Road: Police investigate single-vehicle incident.
13 days ago Zion: Influencers' Storm, Hidden Trail & East Mesa Hike, Views and Fewer Crowds
13 days ago Qatar Airways and Accenture partner for AI-driven aviation excellence, creating 'AI Skyways'.
13 days ago Ketel Marte's Absence and Day Off Requests Cause Frustration Among Diamondbacks Teammates
13 days ago Jamie Lee Curtis Celebrates 'Freakier Friday' with Fan Event and Lookalike Screening
Popular
Gavin Newsom is an American politician and businessman currently serving...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Muhammad Ali nicknamed The Greatest was an iconic American professional...
Lee Corso is an American sports broadcaster and college football...
George Soros is a prominent American investor and philanthropist As...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...