Major Controversies Surrounding Britney Spears: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Britney Spears.

Britney Spears, the "Princess of Pop," is a highly influential American singer and one of the best-selling music artists globally, with over 150 million records sold. She is credited with spearheading the revival of teen pop in the late 1990s and early 2000s and became the best-selling teenage artist of all time. Spears remains a significant figure in popular music.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

April 1999: Rolling Stone Cover Controversy

In April 1999, Britney Spears' Rolling Stone cover, featuring her in suggestive attire, caused controversy and led to calls for a boycott of her albums by the American Family Association.

June 28, 1999: Started ...Baby One More Time Tour

On June 28, 1999, Britney Spears began her first headlining ...Baby One More Time Tour in North America, which was positively received by critics but generated controversy due to her racy outfits.

August 2003: MTV Video Music Awards Performance with Madonna and Christina Aguilera

In August 2003, Britney Spears opened the MTV Video Music Awards with Christina Aguilera, performing "Like a Virgin", and they were joined by Madonna, whom they both kissed. The incident was highly publicized.

2003: Comments on President George W. Bush and Iraq War

In 2003, Britney Spears commented on President George W. Bush and the Iraq War, expressing trust in the president's decisions, which were later included in Michael Moore's documentary.

January 2004: Marriage to Jason Allen Alexander

In January 2004, Britney Spears married Jason Allen Alexander in Las Vegas, Nevada. The marriage was annulled 55 hours later.

2005: Lawsuit from Louis Vuitton

In 2005, Britney Spears was sued by Louis Vuitton over her 2005 music video "Do Somethin'" for using counterfeit Louis Vuitton fabric in her Hummer, resulting in the video being banned on European TV stations.

February 2006: Driving Incident with Son Sean

In February 2006, photos surfaced of Britney Spears driving with her son, Sean, on her lap instead of in a car seat, causing controversy.

2006: Personal Problems and Public Image Decline

In 2006, Britney Spears faced highly publicized personal problems that negatively impacted her career and public image.

2007: High Photo Sales

In 2007, photos of Britney Spears sold for a combined value of $100 million, highlighting her status as a tabloid fixture and paparazzi target.

January 2008: Hospitalization and Conservatorship

In January 2008, Britney Spears was hospitalized after refusing to relinquish custody of her sons and was placed under a conservatorship led by her father, Jamie Spears, and attorney Andrew Wallet.

2008: Suffered mental breakdown and conservatorship

In 2008, Britney Spears suffered a mental breakdown and was involuntarily placed in a conservatorship.

January 2009: Restraining order against Lutfi, Ghalib, and Eardley

In January 2009, Britney Spears and her father Jamie obtained a restraining order against Sam Lutfi, Adnan Ghalib, and Jon Eardley, accusing them of conspiring to control her affairs.

September 2011: Release of "Criminal" and Controversy

In September 2011, Britney Spears released the single "Criminal," sparking controversy due to the use of replica guns in the music video filmed in London, which had been affected by the 2011 England riots.

2016: Lip-Syncing Accusations

In 2016, Britney Spears faced accusations of lip-syncing during live performances, sparking debate among critics and concert attendees, with some defending her use of playback due to her extensive dancing.

March 2019: Conservator Resignation and Psychiatric Facility

In March 2019, Andrew Wallet resigned as co-conservator of Britney Spears' estate. Spears also entered a psychiatric facility amidst stress from her father's illness.

April 22, 2019: Fans Protest for Spears' Release

On April 22, 2019, fans protested outside West Hollywood City Hall, demanding Britney Spears' release from the facility.

May 2019: Judge Orders Evaluation of Conservatorship

In May 2019, Judge Brenda Penny ordered a professional evaluation of Britney Spears' conservatorship.

2019: #FreeBritney movement

In 2019, Britney Spears' legal battle over her conservatorship led to the establishment of the #FreeBritney movement.

August 17, 2020: Court Filing Regarding Conservatorship Wishes

On August 17, 2020, Britney Spears' lawyer submitted a court filing documenting her desire to alter her conservatorship, instate Montgomery as permanent conservator, and replace Jamie as conservator of her estate.

November 2020: Bessemer Trust Approved as Co-Conservator

In November 2020, Penny approved Bessemer Trust as co-conservator of Britney Spears' estate alongside Jamie.

February 2021: Framing Britney Spears Documentary Premiere

In February 2021, Framing Britney Spears, a documentary about Britney Spears' career and conservatorship, premiered on FX.

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June 2021: Spears Speaks Out Against Conservatorship in Court

In June 2021, Britney Spears spoke to the court calling the conservatorship "abusive". Her court statement received widespread media coverage, generating over 1 million shares on Twitter, over 500,000 messages using the tag #FreeBritney, and more than 150,000 messages with a new hashtag referencing the court appearance, #BritneySpeaks.

2021: Conservatorship terminated and Framing Britney Spears documentary

In 2021, Britney Spears' conservatorship was terminated, following her public testimony where she accused her management team and family of abuse. Also, the documentary Framing Britney Spears was released.

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January 24, 2023: Welfare Check at Spears' Residence

On January 24, 2023, deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office performed a welfare check at Britney Spears' residence after receiving concerned calls from fans due to her deleted Instagram account. She was found to be safe and in no danger.

September 2023: Welfare Check Initiated After Knife-Dancing Video

In September 2023, an additional welfare check was initiated when Britney Spears posted an Instagram video of herself dancing with knives, which her security team clarified were not real.