History of Britney Spears in Timeline
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.
December 2, 1981: Britney Spears Born
On December 2, 1981, Britney Jean Spears was born. She would later be referred to as the "Princess of Pop", and become one of the world's best-selling music artists.
August 1991: Demi Moore's Vanity Fair Cover
August 1991 marks when Demi Moore's Vanity Fair cover was released. Britney Spears posed nude for the August 2006 cover of Harper's Bazaar; the photograph was compared to Demi Moore's August 1991 Vanity Fair cover.
December 1992: Cast in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
In December 1992, Britney Spears was cast in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.
1992: Joined The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
In 1992, Britney Spears began her professional career as a cast member of The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.
1992: Sang Houston's "I Have Nothing" for the executives
In 1992, Britney Spears sang Houston's "I Have Nothing" for the Jive Records executives and was subsequently signed to the label.
1994: Returned to Mississippi and enrolled at McComb's Parklane Academy
After The All-New Mickey Mouse Club was canceled in 1994, Britney Spears returned to Mississippi and enrolled at McComb's Parklane Academy.
June 1997: Talks with Lou Pearlman and Demo creation
In June 1997, Britney Spears was in talks with manager Lou Pearlman to join the female pop group Innosense and also created a professional demo with the help of Larry Rudolph.
April 1998: Recorded at Cheiron Studios
In April 1998, Britney Spears recorded half of her album at Cheiron Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, with producers Max Martin, Denniz Pop, and Rami Yacoub, among others.
September 29, 1998: "...Baby One More Time" single released
On September 29, 1998, the single "...Baby One More Time" was released as the lead single from the album of the same name by Britney Spears.
December 1998: Charting Success and Market Shift
In December 1998, Britney Spears' single and video were charting highly, dramatically changing the market and leading RCA Records to sign Christina Aguilera to capitalize on Spears' success.
1998: Emergence with ...Baby One More Time
In 1998, Britney Spears emerged onto the scene with "...Baby One More Time", making a profound impact on the pop music genre and establishing herself as a unique performer.
January 12, 1999: Released ...Baby One More Time album
On January 12, 1999, Britney Spears' debut album, ...Baby One More Time, was released. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200.
February 1999: "...Baby One More Time" peaked at number one
In January–February 1999, Britney Spears' single "...Baby One More Time" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart for two consecutive weeks.
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.
September 1999: Jessica Simpson Charts with "I Wanna Love You Forever"
In September 1999, Jessica Simpson consciously modeled her persona as more mature than Spears and charted her song "I Wanna Love You Forever".
1999: Released ...Baby One More Time album
In 1999, Britney Spears released her first album, ...Baby One More Time, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
March 2000: (You Drive Me) Crazy Tour
In March 2000, Britney Spears continued her tour with the (You Drive Me) Crazy Tour, and premiered songs from her upcoming second album during the show.
May 2000: Released Oops!... I Did It Again album
In May 2000, Britney Spears' second studio album, Oops!... I Did It Again, was released. It debuted at number one in the US, selling 1.3 million copies.
September 7, 2000: Performed at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards
On September 7, 2000, Britney Spears performed at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, where she ripped off her black suit to reveal a sequined flesh-colored bodysuit, followed by a heavy dance routine. This performance is noted as the moment that Spears showed signs of becoming a more provocative performer.
2000: Most Popular Search Term
In 2000, 'Britney Spears' was Yahoo!'s most popular search term, showcasing her widespread public interest.
2000: Release of Shades of Britney
In 2000, Britney Spears released a limited edition of sunglasses titled Shades of Britney.
2000: Released Oops!... I Did It Again album
In 2000, Britney Spears released her second album, Oops!... I Did It Again, which is among the best-selling albums of all time.
2000: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
In 2000, Britney Spears' MTV Video Music Awards performance was lauded for its elaborate dance routines and stage presence, which became a hallmark of her career.
January 2001: Hosted American Music Awards and performed at Super Bowl
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.
February 2001: Signed promotional deal with Pepsi and released A Mother's Gift
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: Terrorist Attacks of September 11
On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks occurred, which later prompted the Britney Spears Foundation to provide a grant to the Twin Towers Fund in April 2002 to support the children of uniformed service heroes affected by the attacks.
October 30, 2001: Release of "What's Going On" Album
On October 30, 2001, Britney Spears, alongside Bono and other artists under the name "Artists Against AIDS Worldwide", released an album consisting of multiple versions of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", to benefit AIDS programs.
November 2001: Released Britney album
In November 2001, Britney Spears released her third studio album, Britney, with a funkier sound inspired by hip hop artists such as Jay-Z and the Neptunes.
2001: Best-selling Teenage Artist
As of 2001, before she turned 20, Spears had sold over 37 million albums worldwide, marking her as the best-selling teenage artist.
2001: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
Britney Spears' 2001 MTV Video Music Awards performance received positive feedback for its innovative choreography and stage presentation.
2001: Released Britney album
In 2001, Britney Spears released her album Britney, adopting a more mature and provocative style.
2001: Deals with Skechers and Pepsi
In 2001, Britney Spears signed a deal with shoe company Skechers, and a $7–8 million promotional deal with Pepsi.
2001: Highest-paid female musician by Forbes
In 2001, Forbes listed Britney Spears as the world's highest-paid female musician.
2001: Release of "Britney" Album and Image Shift
In 2001, with the release of her album "Britney", Britney Spears began to shed her innocent image, transitioning to a more mature and adult persona.
February 2002: Release of Crossroads
In February 2002, Britney Spears starred in her first movie, Crossroads. The film, despite being panned by critics, was a box office success.
April 2002: Grant to Twin Towers Fund
In April 2002, Britney Spears and The Britney Spears Foundation made a grant of $1 million 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: Release of 'Britney's Dance Beat' Video Game
On June 19, 2002, Britney Spears released her first multi-platform video game, Britney's Dance Beat, which received positive reviews.
July 2002: Taking a Break from Career
In July 2002, Britney Spears announced she would take a six-month break from her career.
September 2002: VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists List
In September 2002, Britney Spears was ranked number eight on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists list, acknowledging her sex symbol status.
November 2002: End of relationship with Justin Timberlake and Timberlake released the song "Cry Me a River"
In November 2002, Britney Spears' relationship with Justin Timberlake ended after three years and Timberlake released the song "Cry Me a River".
2002: Starred in Crossroads
In 2002, Britney Spears starred in the film Crossroads.
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.
November 2003: Release of "In the Zone" Album
In November 2003, Britney Spears released her fourth studio album, In the Zone. It sold over 609,000 copies in its first week in the US and debuted at the top of the charts, making Spears the first female artist in the SoundScan era to have her first four albums debut at number one.
2003: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
Britney Spears' 2003 MTV Video Music Awards performance was praised for its captivating dance routines and overall entertainment value.
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.
2003: Released In the Zone album
In 2003, Britney Spears released her album In the Zone, continuing with a more mature and provocative style.
2003: People's 50 Most Beautiful People
In 2003, People cited Britney Spears as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People, recognizing her physical attractiveness.
2003: VH1 Includes Spears on 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons List
VH1 cited Britney Spears among its choices on the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons in 2003.
March 2004: Beginning of Onyx Hotel Tour
In March 2004, Britney Spears embarked on the Onyx Hotel Tour in support of her album In the Zone.
June 2004: Cancellation of Onyx Hotel Tour
In June 2004, Britney Spears canceled the Onyx Hotel Tour after injuring her left knee during a music video shoot for "Outrageous".
July 2004: Engagement to Kevin Federline
In July 2004, Britney Spears became engaged to dancer Kevin Federline, three months after they met.
September 18, 2004: Wedding Ceremony with Kevin Federline
On September 18, 2004, Britney Spears held a wedding ceremony with Kevin Federline, but they were not legally married until three weeks later.
October 2004: Release of Curious Perfume and Career Break
In October 2004, Britney Spears released her first perfume, Curious, and took a career break to start a family.
November 2004: Release of Greatest Hits: My Prerogative
In November 2004, Britney Spears released her first greatest hits compilation album, Greatest Hits: My Prerogative.
2004: Release of Curious Perfume
In 2004, Britney Spears released her first perfume, Curious, with Elizabeth Arden, which broke the company's first-week gross for a perfume.
2004: FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World List
In 2004, Britney Spears was placed at number one on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list, solidifying her status as a sex symbol.
May 17, 2005: Premiere of Britney and Kevin: Chaotic
On May 17, 2005, Britney and Kevin: Chaotic, a reality show chronicling Britney Spears' relationship with Kevin Federline, 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.
2005: Most Popular Search Term
In 2005, 'Britney Spears' was Yahoo!'s most popular search term, showcasing her widespread public interest.
2005: Donation to Music Rising for Hurricane Katrina Victims
In 2005, Britney Spears donated $350,000 to Music Rising for Hurricane Katrina victims.
2005: Launched Fantasy fragrance
In 2005, Britney Spears launched the fragrance Fantasy with Elizabeth Arden, Inc., which generated over $1.5 billion in sales.
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.
May 2006: No Longer Studying Kabbalah
In May 2006, Britney Spears announced she no longer studied Kabbalah, stating, "my baby is my religion".
August 2006: Harper's Bazaar Cover
In August 2006, Britney Spears posed nude for the cover of Harper's Bazaar; the photograph was compared to Demi Moore's August 1991 Vanity Fair cover.
September 2006: Birth of Second Son, Jayden James
In September 2006, Britney Spears gave birth to her second son, Jayden James.
November 2006: Filing for Divorce from Kevin Federline
In November 2006, Britney Spears filed for divorce from Kevin Federline, citing irreconcilable differences.
2006: Personal Problems and Public Image Decline
In 2006, Britney Spears faced highly publicized personal problems that negatively impacted her career and public image.
January 2007: Death of Sandra Bridges Covington
In January 2007, Britney Spears' maternal aunt, Sandra Bridges Covington, died of ovarian cancer.
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.
July 2007: Finalization of Divorce from Kevin Federline
In July 2007, Britney Spears' divorce from Kevin Federline was finalized, and they agreed to share joint custody of their sons.
October 2007: Loss of Custody of Sons
In October 2007, Britney Spears lost physical custody of her sons to Kevin Federline.
October 2007: Release of Blackout Album
In October 2007, Britney Spears released her fifth studio album, Blackout. It debuted at number two in the U.S. Billboard 200 and received positive reviews.
December 2007: Relationship with Adnan Ghalib
In December 2007, Britney Spears began a relationship with paparazzo Adnan Ghalib.
2007: Released Blackout album
In 2007, Britney Spears released her fifth studio album, Blackout, where she served as executive producer.
2007: MTV Video Music Awards Presentation Criticism
In 2007, Britney Spears' MTV Video Music Awards presentation was widely criticized due to her unsteady dance steps and minimal lip-syncing of the words.
2007: Britney album named one of the best albums
In 2007, Britney album was named one of the best albums of the preceding 25 years by Entertainment Weekly.
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.
July 2008: Regaining Visitation Rights
In July 2008, Britney Spears regained some visitation rights to her sons after coming to an agreement with Kevin Federline.
September 2008: MTV Video Music Awards Wins
In September 2008, Britney Spears opened the MTV Video Music Awards and won Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year for "Piece of Me".
December 2008: Release of "Circus" album
In December 2008, Britney Spears' sixth studio album, Circus, was released, receiving positive reviews and debuting at number one in Canada, Czech Republic, and the United States. "Womanizer," the lead single, topped charts in multiple countries and earned a Grammy nomination.
2008: Worldwide Sales of Blackout
By the end of 2008, Britney Spears' album Blackout had sold 3.1 million copies worldwide.
2008: Most Popular Search Term
In 2008, 'Britney Spears' was Yahoo!'s most popular search term, showcasing her widespread public interest.
2008: Released Circus album
In 2008, Britney Spears released her album Circus, which reached the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
2008: Suffered mental breakdown and conservatorship
In 2008, Britney Spears suffered a mental breakdown and was involuntarily placed in a conservatorship.
2008: MTV Video Music Awards Appearance and Career Comeback
In 2008, Britney Spears' appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards marked a turning point in her career, signaling a comeback after a period of personal struggles.
2008: Recognition of 2003 VMA Performance
In 2008, MTV listed Britney Spears' 2003 performance with Christina Aguilera and Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards as the number-one opening moment in the history of the awards.
2008: Britney Spears Foundation Deficit
It was reported in 2008 that the Britney Spears Foundation had a deficit of $200,000 ($292,087 in 2024).
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.
March 2009: Spears Becomes the Face of Candie's
In March 2009, Britney Spears was announced as the new face of clothing brand Candie's.
November 2009: Release of 'The Singles Collection'
In November 2009, Britney Spears released her second greatest hits album, The Singles Collection, featuring the single "3", which became her third number-one single in the U.S.
December 2009: Ranked 8th Artist of the 2000s by Billboard
In December 2009, Billboard ranked Britney Spears as the 8th Artist of the 2000s decade in the United States.
2009: Seven Perfumes Released by 2009
By 2009, Britney Spears had released seven perfumes, including Fantasy.
2009: Guinness World Records Recognition
In 2009, Britney Spears was named as Most Searched Person in the Guinness World Records book edition, highlighting her significant online presence.
May 2010: Relationship with Jason Trawick Confirmed
In May 2010, Britney Spears' representatives confirmed her relationship with her agent, Jason Trawick, and their decision to end their professional relationship to focus on their personal one.
July 2010: Limited Edition Line for Candie's
In July 2010, Britney Spears designed a limited edition line for clothing brand Candie's, which was released in stores.
July 2010: Clothing line for Candie's released
In July 2010, Britney Spears' limited edition clothing line for Candie's was released in stores.
September 2010: Cameo Appearance on Glee
In September 2010, Britney Spears made a cameo appearance on the Spears-themed tribute episode of the television series Glee, titled "Britney/Brittany," which achieved the highest Nielsen rating at that point for the series in the 18–49 demographic.
2010: Release of Radiance Fragrance
In 2010, Britney Spears released her eighth fragrance, Radiance.
2010: Inspiration for Character in 'Country Strong'
In 2010, Gwyneth Paltrow's character in the film 'Country Strong' was inspired by Britney Spears' treatment by the media.
March 2011: Release of 'Femme Fatale' Album
In March 2011, Britney Spears released her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale, which peaked at number one in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the US, Spears tied with Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson for the third-most number ones among women.
April 2011: Featured on Rihanna's 'S&M' remix
In April 2011, Britney Spears appeared in a remix of Rihanna's song "S&M", which reached number one in the US, giving Spears her fifth number one on the chart.
June 2011: Femme Fatale Tour Commencement
In June 2011, Britney Spears embarked on her Femme Fatale Tour.
August 2011: Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
In August 2011, Britney Spears received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
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.
November 2011: Release of 'B in the Mix: The Remixes Vol. 2'
In November 2011, Britney Spears released her second remix album, B in the Mix: The Remixes Vol. 2.
December 10, 2011: End of Femme Fatale Tour
On December 10, 2011, Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour ended in Puerto Rico after 79 performances.
December 2011: Engagement to Jason Trawick
In December 2011, Britney Spears became engaged to Jason Trawick.
2011: Lady Gaga's Recognition at the MTV Video Music Awards
During the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Lady Gaga acknowledged that Britney Spears "taught us all how to be fearless, and the industry wouldn't be the same without her,", highlighting Spears' influence on the music industry.
2011: Released Femme Fatale album
In 2011, Britney Spears released her album Femme Fatale, which reached the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
2011: Product Placement in "Hold It Against Me" Music Video
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 $500,000 for the product placement.
2011: Closure of The Britney Spears Foundation
In 2011, after Britney Spears went through conservatorship, her father and lawyer Andrew Wallet zeroed out The Britney Spears Foundation, leading to its closure.
2011: Radiance Reissued as Cosmic Radiance
In 2011, the Radiance perfume was reissued as a new perfume titled Cosmic Radiance.
2011: "Hold It Against Me" Debuts at Number One
In 2011, with the release of "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.
December 2012: Started Working on 'Britney Jean' Album
In December 2012, Britney Spears began work on her eighth studio album, Britney Jean.
December 2012: Complex's 100 Hottest Female Singers of All Time List
In December 2012, Complex ranked Britney Spears 12th on its 100 Hottest Female Singers of All Time list, recognizing her impact and sex appeal.
December 2012: Named Music's Top-Earning Woman by Forbes
In December 2012, Forbes named Britney Spears music's top-earning woman of 2012, with estimated earnings of $58 million.
2012: Twister Dance Collaboration
In 2012, Britney Spears teamed up with Hasbro to release an exclusive version of Twister Dance, which included a remix of "Till the World Ends".
2012: Ranked on VH1's Greatest Women Lists
In 2012, Britney Spears was ranked fourth on VH1's 50 Greatest Women of the Video Era list. VH1 also included her in their lists of the 100 Greatest Women in Music in 2012 and the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons in 2003.
2012: Highest-paid female musician by Forbes and most searched celebrity
In 2012, Forbes listed Britney Spears as the world's highest-paid female musician for a second time. By 2012, she had topped Yahoo!'s list of most searched celebrities seven times in twelve years.
2012: VH1 Ranking
In 2012, VH1 ranked Britney Spears as the fourth Greatest Woman of the Video Era, recognizing her impact on music videos.
January 2013: End of Engagement with Jason Trawick
In January 2013, Britney Spears and Jason Trawick ended their engagement.
June 2013: Release of "Ooh La La" for The Smurfs 2 soundtrack
In June 2013, Britney Spears recorded the song "Ooh La La" for the soundtrack of The Smurfs 2.
September 2013: Release of "Work Bitch"
In September 2013, Britney Spears released "Work Bitch" as the lead single from Britney Jean. The song achieved a number 12 peak on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top ten in several countries.
October 2013: Featured on Miley Cyrus' "SMS (Bangerz)"
In October 2013, Britney Spears was featured as a guest vocalist on the song "SMS (Bangerz)" by Miley Cyrus, from the latter's fourth studio album, Bangerz (2013).
November 2013: Premiere of "Perfume"
In November 2013, Britney Spears' second single, "Perfume", from her album Britney Jean, premiered and reached number 76 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
December 3, 2013: Britney Jean Album Release Date Announcement
On September 17, 2013, Britney Spears announced that Britney Jean would be released on December 3, 2013, in the United States.
2013: Started Britney: Piece of Me residency and Released Britney Jean album
In 2013, Britney Spears began her concert residency, Britney: Piece of Me, and released her album Britney Jean.
2013: Spears Reflects on Chaotic
In 2013, Britney Spears referred to her reality show Britney and Kevin: Chaotic as "probably the worst thing I've done in my career".
January 8, 2014: People's Choice Award for Favorite Pop Artist
On January 8, 2014, Britney Spears won the Favorite Pop Artist award at the 40th People's Choice Awards.
August 2014: Announcement of "The Intimate Britney Spears" Apparel Line
In August 2014, Britney Spears announced via Twitter the release of her intimate apparel line called "The Intimate Britney Spears."
August 2014: Renewal of RCA contract and New Music Recording
In August 2014, Britney Spears confirmed that she had renewed her contract with RCA and that she was writing and recording new music for her next album.
September 9, 2014: Release of "The Intimate Britney Spears" Apparel Line
On September 9, 2014, "The Intimate Britney Spears" apparel line became available for purchase in the United States and Canada through Britney Spears' Intimate Collection website.
September 25, 2014: Extension of Las Vegas Residency
On September 25, 2014, Britney Spears confirmed on Good Morning Britain that she had extended her contract to perform her Britney: Piece of Me concert residency at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas for two additional years.
October 2014: Relationship with Charlie Ebersol
In October 2014, Britney Spears began dating television producer Charlie Ebersol.
May 14, 2015: Release of "Pretty Girls" with Iggy Azalea
On May 14, 2015, Britney Spears released a single, "Pretty Girls", with Iggy Azalea. The song reached number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted moderately in international territories.
June 16, 2015: Release of "Tom's Diner" with Giorgio Moroder
On June 16, 2015, Giorgio Moroder released the album Déjà Vu, which featured Britney Spears on "Tom's Diner".
October 9, 2015: Release of "Tom's Diner" as Single
On October 9, 2015, Giorgio Moroder released "Tom's Diner" featuring Britney Spears as the fourth single from his album Déjà Vu.
October 24, 2015: Donation to Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation
On October 24, 2015, Britney Spears donated $120,000 to the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. In addition, $1 of each ticket sale for her Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me, was donated to the nonprofit organization. Spears also fundraised for the charity through social media, and sold limited edition merchandise, with all proceeds going to the NCCF.
November 2015: Confirmed Recording of Ninth Studio Album
In November 2015, Britney Spears confirmed via social media that she had begun recording her ninth studio album.
November 2015: Guest Appearance on Jane the Virgin
In November 2015, Britney Spears guest-starred as a fictionalized version of herself on the CW series Jane the Virgin, where she danced to "Toxic" with Gina Rodriguez's character.
2015: Named Sixth-Highest-Earning Female Musician
In 2015, Forbes named Britney Spears the sixth-highest-earning female musician.
March 1, 2016: V Magazine Cover Appearance
On March 1, 2016, V magazine announced that Britney Spears would appear on the cover of its 100th issue, dated March 8, 2016.
March 8, 2016: Appearance on V Magazine Cover
On March 8, 2016, Britney Spears appeared on the cover of V Magazine's 100th issue.
May 2016: Launch of Britney Spears: American Dream Mobile App
In May 2016, Britney Spears launched a casual role-play gaming application, Britney Spears: American Dream, created by Glu Mobile, available through iOS and Google Play.
May 22, 2016: Performance and Millennium Award at Billboard Music Awards
On May 22, 2016, Britney Spears performed a medley of her past singles at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards and was honored with the Billboard Millennium Award.
June 17, 2016: Release of Private Show Fragrance
On June 17, 2016, Britney Spears announced the release of her twentieth fragrance, Private Show.
July 15, 2016: Release of "Make Me" featuring G-Eazy
On July 15, 2016, Britney Spears released the lead single, "Make Me", from her ninth studio album, featuring guest vocals from American rapper G-Eazy.
August 16, 2016: Announcement of VMA Performance
On August 16, 2016, MTV and Britney Spears announced that she would perform at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her return to the VMA stage after her 2007 performance.
August 26, 2016: Release of 'Glory' Album
On August 26, 2016, Britney Spears' ninth studio album, Glory, was formally released.
October 2016: Marie Claire UK Cover and Anxiety Revelation
In October 2016, Britney Spears appeared on the cover of Marie Claire UK, revealing she had suffered from crippling anxiety and that motherhood helped her overcome it.
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. Participants were entered for a chance to win a spin class with Spears herself. The event ultimately went on to raise $553,130.
November 2016: New Album Confirmation and "Slumber Party" Remix Release
In November 2016, Britney Spears confirmed she had begun working on her next album and also released a remix version of "Slumber Party" featuring Tinashe as the second single from Glory.
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.
2016: Meeting with Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Britney Spears posted pictures of a meeting with Hillary Clinton on social media, expressing admiration for Clinton as an inspiration and voice for women.
2016: Ranked on Billboard's Greatest Of All Time Top Dance Club Artists List
In 2016, Britney Spears ranked at number twenty on Billboard's Greatest Of All Time Top Dance Club Artists list.
2016: Released Glory album
In 2016, Britney Spears released her album Glory.
2016: "Comeback" Performance at MTV Video Music Awards
In 2016, Britney Spears' "comeback" performance at the MTV Video Music Awards was viewed as a partial success in her effort to regain pop superstardom.
2016: Las Vegas Concert Residency
In 2016, during Britney Spears' Las Vegas concert residency, her dance abilities were criticized by some, while others praised her flawless performance, despite earlier knee injuries and personal problems.
January 2017: People's Choice Awards Wins
In January 2017, Britney Spears won four awards at the 43rd People's Choice Awards: Favorite Pop Artist, Female Artist, Social Media Celebrity, and Comedic Collaboration for a skit with Ellen DeGeneres for 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, Britney: Live in Concert, with dates in select Asian cities.
April 2017: Israeli Election Rescheduled Due to Tel Aviv Concert
In April 2017, the Israeli Labor Party announced it would reschedule its July primary election to avoid conflict with Britney Spears' sold-out Tel Aviv concert, citing traffic and security concerns.
April 29, 2017: Icon Award at Radio Disney Music Awards
On April 29, 2017, Britney Spears received the Icon Award at the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards.
December 2017: Support for the DREAM Act
In December 2017, Britney Spears publicly showed support for the DREAM Act by posting a photo of herself wearing a "We Are All Dreamers" T-shirt, advocating for Congress to pass the act.
2017: End of Britney: Piece of Me residency
In 2017, Britney Spears ended her concert residency Britney: Piece of Me.
2017: Reflection on Mental Health and Career Breaks
In 2017, Britney Spears reflected on the need to prioritize her mental health and take breaks during her career, acknowledging past struggles and the desire to please others.
December 31, 2017: Final Show of Britney: Piece of Me and New Year's Rockin' Eve Performance
On December 31, 2017, Britney Spears performed the final show of Britney: Piece of Me, which brought in $1.172 million, setting a new box office record for a single show in Las Vegas. 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 in North America and Europe.
January 2018: 24 Fragrances Released Through Elizabeth Arden
As of January 2018, Britney Spears had released 24 fragrances through Elizabeth Arden.
March 2018: Face of Kenzo
In March 2018, Britney Spears became 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 French luxury fashion house Kenzo.
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 partnership with Britney Spears to debut her own fashion line in 2019, including 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, with tickets selling out quickly and additional dates added to meet 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 Finale at Formula One Grand Prix
On October 21, 2018, Britney Spears performed at the Formula One Grand Prix in Austin, the final performance of her Piece of Me Tour.
2018: GLAAD Vanguard Award
In 2018, Britney Spears received the GLAAD Vanguard Award for her role in promoting acceptance for the LGBTQ community, recognizing her status as a gay icon.
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 suffered a near-fatal colon rupture.
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.
2019: Rita Ora's "Only Want You" Inspired by Britney Spears
In 2019, Rita Ora released her music video for "Only Want You," which was inspired by Britney Spears' "Everytime" music video, with Ora expressing her love and homage to Spears as an inspiration.
February 2020: "The Zone" Pop-Up Museum Opens in Los Angeles
In February 2020, an interactive pop-up museum dedicated to Britney Spears, dubbed "The Zone", opened in Los Angeles, though it was later suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2020: #DoYourPartChallenge Participation
In March 2020, Britney Spears participated in the #DoYourPartChallenge, helping people with needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. She invited fans to send her messages on Instagram for supportive words, choosing three fans to connect with.
May 2020: "Mood Ring" Single Release and Album Cover Debut
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.
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.
2020: Billboard Ranking
In 2020, Billboard ranked Britney Spears as the eighth Greatest Music Video Artist of All Time, emphasizing her creativity and memorable videos.
2020: Billboard Ranks Spears on Music Video Artists List
In 2020, Billboard ranked Britney Spears at number eight on its 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of all-time list.
2020: "...Baby One More Time" ranked #1 by Rolling Stone
In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked the song "...Baby One More Time" at number one on a list of the 100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time, recognizing it as a pop manifesto that changed the sound of pop forever.
2020: "...Baby One More Time" named greatest debut single
In 2020, the song "...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears was named the greatest debut single of all time by Rolling Stone.
February 2021: Framing Britney Spears Documentary Premiere
In February 2021, Framing Britney Spears, a documentary about Britney Spears' career and conservatorship, premiered on FX.
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.
August 5, 2021: Converted to Catholicism
On August 5, 2021, Britney Spears announced that she had converted to Catholicism.
September 15, 2021: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
On September 15, 2021, Britney Spears was named one of Time's 100 most influential people of 2021, recognizing her impact and fight against her conservatorship.
October 2021: Gratitude for #FreeBritney Movement
In October 2021, Britney Spears thanked her fans and the #FreeBritney movement for "freeing me from my conservatorship", acknowledging their role in her personal liberation.
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.
2021: Legacy as the "Princess of Pop"
In 2021, Britney Spears, known as the "Princess of Pop", was recognized for her driving force behind the return of teen pop in the late 1990s and her complex legacy comprising musical heights and struggles.
2021: One of the 100 most influential people by Time
In 2021, Time named Britney Spears one of the 100 most influential people in the world, placing first in the reader poll.
April 2022: Pregnancy Announcement
In April 2022, Britney Spears announced her pregnancy with Sam Asghari's child.
September 5, 2022: Declared Atheism
On September 5, 2022, Britney Spears declared that she doesn't believe in God anymore and is an atheist due to the way her children and family have treated her.
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.
July 21, 2023: "Mind Your Business" Single Release
On July 21, 2023, Britney Spears and will.i.am released their single, "Mind Your Business".
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.
October 2023: Publication of Memoir "The Woman in Me"
In October 2023, Britney Spears published her first memoir, The Woman in Me, which details her rise to fame, public media events, her conservatorship, and her newfound freedom. In its first week, it sold 1.1 million copies in the US and 2.4 million copies worldwide in print sales.
2023: Global Record Sales
As of 2023, Britney Spears has sold over 150 million records worldwide, according to the Evening Standard.
2023: Affair with Wade Robson Admitted
In 2023, Britney Spears admitted to engaging in an affair with choreographer Wade Robson.
2023: The Woman in Me memoir release
In 2023, Britney Spears released her memoir, The Woman in Me, which reached number one on The New York Times Best Seller list in its first week of release.
2023: Revealed abortion experience
In her 2023 memoir, Britney Spears revealed that she had an abortion in late 2000 while dating Justin Timberlake, after he said they were not prepared for parenthood.
January 2024: Reports of Songwriting for Spears
In January 2024, reports circulated that Charli XCX and Julia Michaels were asked to write songs for Britney Spears, but Spears denied them, saying she would never return to the music industry but that she had written songs for other artists.
February 2024: Partnership with Glace for "Britney Brûlée" dessert
In February 2024, Britney Spears partnered with New York City dessert shop Glace to create the "Britney Brûlée" dessert, with a portion of the proceeds from its sales being donated to The Trevor Project.
May 1, 2024: Divorce Settlement Reached
On May 1, 2024, Britney Spears and Sam Asghari reached a divorce settlement.
May 2024: Charli XCX Confirms Writing for Spears
In May 2024, Charli XCX confirmed in an interview that she was asked to write for Britney Spears, but she did not know if Spears was a part of the process, explaining that "the team were present... But she didn't record it. She obviously didn't."
October 2024: Billboard Ranks Spears as One of the Greatest Pop Stars
In October 2024, Billboard placed Britney Spears at number six on their Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century list.
December 2, 2024: Divorce Finalized
On December 2, 2024, the judge signed off on the divorce settlement between Britney Spears and Sam Asghari, finalizing their divorce.
2024: Dream Within a Dream Tour Grosses
Britney Spears' Dream Within a Dream Tour reached $93.2 million in 2024, which was the second highest-grossing tour of 2002 by a female artist, behind Cher's Farewell Tour.
2024: Value of 2008 Deficit in 2024
In 2008, The Britney Spears Foundation had a deficit of $200,000, which equaled $292,087 in 2024.
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