History of Britney Spears in Timeline
Britney Spears, often called the "Princess of Pop," is an American singer who significantly impacted popular music. Credited with reviving teen pop in the late 1990s and early 2000s, she has sold over 150 million records globally, establishing herself as one of the best-selling music artists worldwide. Her influence on the pop music landscape is undeniable.
December 2, 1981: Britney Spears Born
On December 2, 1981, Britney Jean Spears, the American singer often referred to as the "Princess of Pop", was born. She has sold over 150 million records worldwide.
December 1992: Cast in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
In December 1992, Britney Spears was cast in "The All-New Mickey Mouse Club", alongside future stars like Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake.
1992: Houston's "I Have Nothing"
Britney Spears sang Houston's "I Have Nothing" (1992) for the executives, and was subsequently signed to the label.
1994: Returned to Mississippi
In 1994, after "The All-New Mickey Mouse Club" was canceled, Britney Spears returned to Mississippi and enrolled at McComb's Parklane Academy.
June 1997: Talks with Lou Pearlman
In June 1997, Britney Spears was in talks with manager Lou Pearlman about joining the female pop group Innosense.
1997: Signed with Jive Records
In 1997, after appearing in television shows, Britney Spears signed with Jive Records at the age of fifteen, marking the beginning of her professional music career.
April 1998: Album Recorded in Stockholm
From March to April 1998, half of Britney Spears' album was recorded at Cheiron Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, with producers Max Martin, Denniz Pop, and Rami Yacoub.
September 29, 1998: "...Baby One More Time" Single Release
On September 29, 1998, Britney Spears released "...Baby One More Time" as the lead single from her debut album.
December 1998: Teen Pop Explosion
In December 1998, Britney Spears' single and video charted highly, sparking a teen pop explosion.
1998: Emergence onto the Scene
In 1998, Britney Spears emerged onto the scene with "...Baby One More Time", profoundly affecting the pop music genre.
January 12, 1999: ...Baby One More Time Album Release
On January 12, 1999, Britney Spears' debut studio album, "...Baby One More Time", was released. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified two-times platinum within a month.
February 1999: "...Baby One More Time" Topped Charts
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: Rolling Stone Cover Controversy
In April 1999, the cover of Rolling Stone featuring a 17-year-old Britney Spears in suggestive attire sparked controversy, with the American Family Association calling for a boycott. Spears defended the images and her morals.
June 28, 1999: ...Baby One More Time Tour Begins
On June 28, 1999, Britney Spears began her first headlining tour, the "...Baby One More Time Tour", in North America.
September 1999: Competing Pop Stars
In September 1999, Jessica Simpson modeled her persona more maturely than Spears and released her charting song "I Wanna Love You Forever", creating more pop star competition.
1999: ...Baby One More Time Album Release
In 1999, Britney Spears released her debut album "...Baby One More Time", which became one of the best-selling albums of all time and established her as a top teenage artist.
March 2000: (You Drive Me) Crazy Tour Begins
In March 2000, Britney Spears began the extension of her tour titled the "(You Drive Me) Crazy Tour."
May 2000: Oops!... I Did It Again Album Release
In May 2000, Britney Spears released her second studio album, "Oops!... I Did It Again", which debuted at number one in the US and sold 1.3 million copies.
September 7, 2000: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
On September 7, 2000, Britney Spears performed at the MTV Video Music Awards, ripping off her black suit to reveal a sequined flesh-colored bodysuit, a performance considered by critics as a sign of her becoming a more provocative performer.
2000: Most Searched Person of the Decade
From 2000-2009, Britney Spears was named as the most searched person of the decade.
2000: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
In 2000, Britney Spears gave an MTV Video Music Awards performance.
2000: Oops!... I Did It Again Album Release
In 2000, Britney Spears released "Oops!... I Did It Again", her second album. It became one of the best-selling albums of all time and solidified her status as a pop icon.
2000: Spears releases sunglasses line
In 2000, Britney Spears released a limited edition of sunglasses titled Shades of Britney, expanding her brand into fashion accessories.
January 2001: American Music Awards, Rock in Rio & Super Bowl Performance
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: Pepsi Deal and Book Release
In February 2001, Britney Spears signed a $7-8 million promotional deal with Pepsi, and released "A Mother's Gift", a book co-written with her mother.
October 30, 2001: Spears participates in AIDS benefit album
On October 30, 2001, Britney Spears, alongside Bono and other artists, released an album under the name "Artists Against AIDS Worldwide" to benefit AIDS programs in Africa and other impoverished regions.
November 2001: Britney Album Release
In November 2001, Britney Spears released her third studio album, "Britney", which debuted at number one in the Billboard 200.
2001: Spears recognized as best-selling teenage artist
Before turning 20 in 2001, Britney Spears had sold over 37 million albums worldwide and also marked for being the best-selling teenage artist.
2001: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
In 2001, Britney Spears gave an MTV Video Music Awards performance.
2001: Britney Album Release
In 2001, Britney Spears released her self-titled album "Britney", adopting a more mature style and further evolving her music.
2001: Transition to Adulthood
In 2001, Britney Spears released her self-titled album, marking a shift from her innocent image towards a more mature and adult persona.
2001: Spears signs endorsement deals
In 2001, Britney Spears signed a deal with shoe company Skechers, and a $7–8 million promotional deal with Pepsi, their 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, highlighting her financial success and popularity at the time.
February 2002: Crossroads Release
In February 2002, Britney Spears starred in her first movie, Crossroads. While the movie received largely negative reviews, Britney Spears' acting was praised. The film was a box office success.
April 2002: Spears Foundation donates 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: Restaurant Opening
In June 2002, Britney Spears opened her first restaurant, Nyla, in New York City.
June 19, 2002: Spears releases 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: Career Break Announcement
In July 2002, Britney Spears announced that she would be taking a six-month break from her career.
September 2002: VH1 Sexiest Artists List
In September 2002, Britney Spears was placed at number eight on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists list, recognizing her image as a sex symbol.
November 2002: Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River" Release
In November 2002, Justin Timberlake released "Cry Me a River", with a music video insinuating that Britney Spears had cheated on him, fueling relationship controversy rumors.
2002: Crossroads Film Release
In 2002, Britney Spears starred in the film "Crossroads,"
August 2003: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
In August 2003, Britney Spears performed "Like a Virgin" with Christina Aguilera at the MTV Video Music Awards, during which they were joined and kissed by Madonna, causing a media sensation.
November 2003: In the Zone Album Release
In November 2003, Britney Spears released her fourth studio album, In the Zone. The album debuted at the top of the charts in the United States, France, and the top ten in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
2003: Comments on President Bush and the Iraq War
In 2003, Britney Spears commented on President George W. Bush and the Iraq War, saying that "we should just trust our president in every decision that he makes", which was later included in Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11.
2003: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
In 2003, Britney Spears gave an MTV Video Music Awards performance.
2003: In the Zone Album Release
In 2003, Britney Spears released "In the Zone", showcasing a continued evolution in her musical style.
2003: People's Most Beautiful People
In 2003, People cited Britney Spears as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People, recognizing her physical appeal.
2003: VH1 cites Spears as one of the Greatest Pop Culture Icons
In 2003, VH1 cited Britney Spears among its choices on the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, highlighting her significant influence on popular culture.
March 2004: Onyx Hotel Tour Launch
In March 2004, Britney Spears started the Onyx Hotel Tour to promote her album In the Zone.
June 2004: Onyx Hotel Tour Cancellation
In June 2004, the Onyx Hotel Tour was canceled after Britney Spears injured her knee during the music video shoot for "Outrageous".
July 2004: Engagement to Kevin Federline
In July 2004, Britney Spears became engaged to Kevin Federline, stirring media attention due to his recent breakup and ongoing pregnancy of his ex, Shar Jackson.
September 18, 2004: Wedding Ceremony with Kevin Federline
On September 18, 2004, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline held a wedding ceremony, though they were not legally married until three weeks later.
October 2004: Career Break and Perfume Release
In October 2004, Britney Spears took a career break to start a family and released her first perfume, Curious, which broke Elizabeth Arden's first-week gross record for a perfume.
November 2004: Greatest Hits Album Release
In November 2004, Britney Spears' first greatest hits compilation album, Greatest Hits: My Prerogative, was released.
2004: Spears releases first 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 Sexiest Woman
In 2004, Britney Spears was placed at number one on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list, highlighting her status as a sex symbol.
May 17, 2005: Britney and Kevin: Chaotic Premiere
On May 17, 2005, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's reality show, Britney and Kevin: Chaotic, premiered on UPN.
August 2005: "Someday (I Will Understand)" Release
In August 2005, Britney Spears released "Someday (I Will Understand)", dedicated to her son, Sean Preston.
November 2005: Remix Album Release
In November 2005, Britney Spears released her first remix compilation, B in the Mix: The Remixes.
2005: Most Popular Search Term
From 2005 to 2008, 'Britney Spears' was Yahoo!'s most popular search term, highlighting her widespread public interest.
2005: Fantasy Fragrance Launch
In 2005, Britney Spears launched the fragrance "Fantasy" with Elizabeth Arden, Inc., generating over $1.5 billion in sales.
2005: Spears donates to Music Rising
In 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Britney Spears donated $350,000 to Music Rising, contributing to relief efforts for musicians affected by the disaster.
February 2006: Driving Controversy
In February 2006, photos surfaced of Britney Spears driving with her son on her lap instead of in a car seat, leading to public criticism.
May 2006: Kabbalah Announcement
In May 2006, Britney Spears announced she no longer studied Kabbalah, explaining, "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.
September 2006: Birth of Second Son
In September 2006, Britney Spears gave birth to her second son, Jayden James.
November 2006: Divorce Filing
In November 2006, Britney Spears filed for divorce from Kevin Federline, citing irreconcilable differences.
2006: Publicized Personal Problems
Britney Spears' erratic behavior and personal problems in 2006 were highly publicized, negatively affecting her career and public image.
January 2007: Death of Aunt Sandra
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.
October 2007: Loss of Custody
In October 2007, Britney Spears lost physical custody of her sons to Kevin Federline.
October 2007: Blackout Album Release
In October 2007, Britney Spears released her fifth studio album, Blackout, which received positive reviews and commercial success.
December 2007: Relationship with Adnan Ghalib
In December 2007, Britney Spears began a relationship with paparazzo Adnan Ghalib.
2007: MTV Video Music Awards Presentation
In 2007, Britney Spears gave an MTV Video Music Awards presentation which was widely panned by critics, as she "teetered through her dance steps and mouthed only occasional words".
2007: Blackout Album Release
In 2007, Britney Spears released "Blackout", her fifth studio album, for which she also served as executive producer. It is often regarded as her best work.
2007: Entertainment Weekly's Best Albums List
In 2007, Britney Spears' album Britney (released in 2001) was named one of the best albums of the preceding 25 years by Entertainment Weekly.
2007: High-Value Paparazzi Target
In 2007, photos of Britney Spears sold for a combined value of $100 million, underscoring her status as a highly sought-after paparazzi target.
2007: Formation of RCA/Jive Label Group
In 2007, the joint RCA/Jive Label Group (initially known as BMG Label Group) was formed.
2007: Gimme More Performance
The performance marked Britney Spears' first time returning to the VMA stage after her widely panned performance of "Gimme More" at the 2007 show nine years earlier.
January 2008: Hospitalization and Conservatorship
In January 2008, Britney Spears was hospitalized and placed under a conservatorship led by her father, Jamie Spears, after refusing to relinquish custody of her sons.
July 2008: Visitation Rights Regained
In July 2008, Britney Spears regained some visitation rights with her children after reaching 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: Circus Album Release
In December 2008, Britney Spears' sixth studio album, Circus, was released, debuting at number one in several countries.
2008: Most Popular Search Term
From 2005 to 2008, 'Britney Spears' was Yahoo!'s most popular search term, highlighting her widespread public interest.
2008: Album of the Year
In 2008, Blackout won Album of the Year at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
2008: Circus Album Release
In 2008, Britney Spears released "Circus", returning to the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
2008: Conservatorship
In 2008, Britney Spears was involuntarily placed in a conservatorship following a highly publicized breakdown, marking a significant turning point in her personal life.
2008: Performance Recognition
In 2008, MTV listed the August 2003 performance as the number-one opening moment in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards. Blender cited it as one of the 25 sexiest music moments on television history.
2008: Salon publishes "The Britney Economy" article
In 2008, Salon published an article titled "The Britney Economy," highlighting Britney Spears' significant influence on music, fashion, and consumer culture.
2008: Spears' Foundation reported a deficit
In 2008, it was reported that The Britney Spears Foundation had a deficit of $200,000, indicating financial challenges for the charitable organization.
January 2009: Restraining Order
In January 2009, Britney Spears and her father obtained a restraining order against Sam Lutfi, Adnan Ghalib, and Jon Eardley.
March 2009: The Circus Starring Britney Spears Tour
In March 2009, Britney Spears embarked on The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour.
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, marking a significant endorsement deal and career resurgence.
November 2009: The Singles Collection Release
In November 2009, Britney Spears released her second greatest hits album, The Singles Collection. The album's lead and only single, "3", became her third number-one single in the U.S.
December 2009: Billboard ranks Spears among top artists of the decade
In December 2009, Billboard ranked Britney Spears as the 8th Artist of the 2000s decade in the United States, solidifying her place as a defining artist of the era.
2009: Spears has released seven perfumes
By 2009, Britney Spears had released seven perfumes including Fantasy, extending her product line in the beauty industry.
2009: Guinness World Records
In 2007 and 2009, Britney Spears was named as Most Searched Person in the Guinness World Records book, confirming her immense popularity.
May 2010: Dating Jason Trawick
In May 2010, Britney Spears' representatives confirmed she was dating her agent, Jason Trawick, and that they decided to end their professional relationship to focus on their personal relationship.
July 2010: Spears designs line for Candie's
In July 2010, Britney Spears designed a limited edition line for Candie's, further expanding her role with the brand.
July 2010: Candie's Clothing Line Release
In July 2010, Britney Spears' limited edition clothing line for Candie's was released in stores.
September 2010: Glee Cameo
In September 2010, Britney Spears made a cameo appearance on a Spears-themed tribute episode of the television series Glee, titled "Britney/Brittany".
2010: Spears releases Radiance fragrance
In 2010, Britney Spears released her eighth fragrance, Radiance, adding to her successful line of beauty products.
2010: Gwyneth Paltrow's character inspired by Spears
In 2010, Gwyneth Paltrow's character in the film Country Strong was inspired by Britney Spears' treatment by the media, showing the impact of Spears' personal struggles on creative works.
April 2011: 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.
June 2011: Femme Fatale Tour Kickoff
In June 2011, Britney Spears embarked on her Femme Fatale Tour.
August 2011: MTV Video Vanguard Award
In August 2011, Britney Spears received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
September 2011: Criminal Single Release and Controversy
In September 2011, Britney Spears released "Criminal" as the fourth single from Femme Fatale, sparking controversy over the use of replica guns in the music video filmed in a London area affected by the 2011 England riots.
November 2011: Femme Fatale Tour DVD Release
In November 2011, a DVD of Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour was released.
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 her long-time boyfriend Jason Trawick.
2011: Lady Gaga praises Spears at MTV Video Music Awards
During the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Lady Gaga acknowledged Britney Spears' influence, stating that she "taught us all how to be fearless, and the industry wouldn't be the same without her."
2011: Femme Fatale Album Release
In 2011, Britney Spears released the album "Femme Fatale", which also topped the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
2011: Spears earns money for product placement
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: Disbandment of Jive Records
In 2011, Jive Records disbanded, leading to the release of Britney Jean through RCA Records.
2011: Radiance is reissued as Cosmic Radiance
In 2011, Radiance was reissued as a new perfume titled Cosmic Radiance. Worldwide, Britney Spears sold over one million bottles in the first five years, with gross receipts of $1.5 billion.
2011: Spears Foundation closed
In 2011, after Britney Spears went through conservatorship, her father and lawyer Andrew Wallet zeroed out The Britney Spears Foundation effort, leading to its closure.
2011: Highest Sales Debut Since 2011
The song marked Britney Spears' highest sales debut since her 2011 number-one single "Hold It Against Me".
2011: Spears became the second artist to debut at number one with multiple songs
With "Hold It Against Me" in 2011, 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.
April 2012: Jason Trawick Co-Conservator Status
In April 2012, Jason Trawick was legally granted a role as co-conservator, alongside Britney Spears' father.
May 2012: The X Factor Judge
In May 2012, Britney Spears was hired as a judge for the second season of The X Factor.
December 2012: Work on Britney Jean Begins
In December 2012, Britney Spears began work on her eighth studio album, Britney Jean.
December 2012: Complex's Hottest Female Singers
In December 2012, Complex ranked Britney Spears 12th on its 100 Hottest Female Singers of All Time list, acknowledging her attractiveness and vocal talent.
December 2012: Forbes Top-Earning Woman
In December 2012, Forbes named Britney Spears music's top-earning woman of 2012, with estimated earnings of $58 million.
2012: Spears partners with Hasbro to release Twister Dance
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", and she appeared in a commercial to promote the game.
2012: Highest-Paid Female Musician & Most Searched Celebrity
In 2012, Britney Spears was listed as the world's highest-paid female musician by Forbes and topped Yahoo!'s list of most searched celebrities for the seventh time in twelve years, showcasing her continued relevance and popularity.
2012: VH1 ranks Spears as one of the Greatest Women
In 2012, Britney Spears was ranked as the fourth VH1's 50 Greatest Women of the Video Era show list and VH1 also cited her among its choices on the 100 Greatest Women in Music in 2012.
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, and Trawick was removed as her co-conservator.
May 2013: will.i.am Executive Producer
In May 2013, will.i.am was enlisted as the executive producer for Britney Spears' album, Britney Jean.
June 2013: "Ooh La La" Release
In June 2013, Britney Spears released the song "Ooh La La" for the soundtrack of The Smurfs 2.
September 2013: "Work Bitch" Release
In September 2013, Britney Spears released "Work Bitch" as the lead single from Britney Jean.
October 2013: Featured on "SMS (Bangerz)"
In October 2013, Britney Spears was featured as a guest vocalist on the song "SMS (Bangerz)" by Miley Cyrus.
November 2013: "Perfume" Premiere
In November 2013, Britney Spears' single, "Perfume", premiered.
December 3, 2013: Britney Jean Album Release
On December 3, 2013, Britney Spears' album Britney Jean was released in the United States.
2013: "Scream & Shout" Success
In 2013, "Scream & Shout" was among the best-selling songs of the year, with sales of over 8.1 million worldwide.
2013: Britney: Piece of Me Residency Begins & Britney Jean Album Release
In 2013, Britney Spears began her four-year concert residency, "Britney: Piece of Me", and also released the album "Britney Jean".
2013: Reality Show Regret
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 Win
On January 8, 2014, Britney Spears won Favorite Pop Artist at the 40th People's Choice Awards.
February 2014: Femme Fatale Sales Update
As of February 2014, Britney Spears' album Femme Fatale had sold 2.4 million copies worldwide.
August 2014: Intimate Apparel Line Announcement
In August 2014, Britney Spears announced via Twitter that she would be releasing an intimate apparel line called "The Intimate Britney Spears".
August 2014: Contract Renewal with RCA
In August 2014, Britney Spears confirmed she had renewed her contract with RCA and that she was writing and recording new music for her next album.
August 2014: Split from David Lucado
In August 2014, Britney Spears split from David Lucado.
September 9, 2014: The Intimate Britney Spears Release
On September 9, 2014, Britney Spears' intimate apparel line was available to be purchased in the United States and Canada.
September 25, 2014: Piece of Me Contract Extension
On September 25, 2014, Britney Spears confirmed that she extended her contract to perform her Britney: Piece of Me concert residency at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas for two additional years.
October 2014: Dating Charlie Ebersol
In October 2014, Britney Spears began dating television producer Charlie Ebersol.
2014: Piece of Me Shows
Britney Spears performed a total of 100 shows throughout 2014 and 2015 as part of her Britney: Piece of Me residency.
May 14, 2015: "Pretty Girls" Release and Performance
On May 14, 2015, Britney Spears released a single, "Pretty Girls", with Iggy Azalea, and they performed it live at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards.
June 2015: Split from Charlie Ebersol
In June 2015, Britney Spears and Charlie Ebersol split.
June 16, 2015: Déjà Vu Album Release
On June 16, 2015, Giorgio Moroder released the album Déjà Vu, which featured Britney Spears on "Tom's Diner".
October 9, 2015: "Tom's Diner" Release
On October 9, 2015, "Tom's Diner", featuring Britney Spears, was released as the fourth single from Giorgio Moroder's album Déjà Vu.
November 2015: Recording Ninth Studio Album
In November 2015, Britney Spears confirmed she had begun recording her ninth studio album.
November 2015: Jane the Virgin Guest Appearance
In November 2015, Britney Spears guest-starred as a fictionalized version of herself on the CW series Jane the Virgin.
2015: Piece of Me Shows
Britney Spears performed a total of 100 shows throughout 2014 and 2015 as part of her Britney: Piece of Me residency.
2015: Spears named as a top-earning musician by Forbes
In 2015, Forbes named Britney Spears the sixth-highest-earning female musician, highlighting her financial success and continued relevance in the music industry.
March 1, 2016: V Magazine Cover Announcement
On March 1, 2016, V announced that Britney Spears would appear on the cover of its 100th issue.
March 8, 2016: V Magazine Cover Release
On March 8, 2016, Britney Spears appeared on the cover of V Magazine's 100th issue.
May 2016: American Dream App Launch
In May 2016, Britney Spears launched a casual role-play gaming application, Britney Spears: American Dream.
May 2016: Spears launches Britney Spears: American Dream app
In May 2016, Britney Spears officially launched her own role-playing game, Britney Spears: American Dream, created with Glu Mobile, available on iOS and Android.
May 22, 2016: Billboard Music Awards Performance and Award
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: Spears announces the release of her fragrance, Private Show
On June 17, 2016, Britney Spears announced the release of her twentieth fragrance, Private Show, adding to her successful line of beauty products.
July 15, 2016: "Make Me" Release
On July 15, 2016, Britney Spears released the lead single, "Make Me", from her ninth studio album, featuring guest vocals from G-Eazy.
August 16, 2016: MTV Video Music Awards Performance Announcement
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 nine years.
August 26, 2016: Glory Album Release
On August 26, 2016, Britney Spears' ninth studio album, Glory, was formally released.
October 2016: Marie Claire UK Cover and Interview
Britney Spears appeared on the cover of Marie Claire UK for the October 2016 issue, where she discussed her past anxiety and how motherhood helped her overcome it.
November 2016: Work on Next Album Confirmed
In November 2016, Britney Spears confirmed she had already begun work on her next album during an interview with Las Vegas Blog.
2016: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
In 2016, Britney Spears gave an MTV Video Music Awards performance that Billboard called her "comeback" performance at the show "an effective, but not entirely glorious, bid to regain pop superstardom".
2016: Support for Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Britney Spears posted pictures of a meeting with Hillary Clinton on social media, describing Clinton as "an inspiration and [a] beautiful voice for women around the world".
2016: Spears 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, recognizing her contributions to dance music.
2016: Glory Album Release
In 2016, Britney Spears released the album "Glory."
2016: Lip-Syncing Controversy
In 2016, Refinery29 noted lip-syncing during Britney Spears' live performances was a "well-known fact" with Spears commenting on the topic, stating that the playback is mixed with her live voice due to intense dancing.
January 2017: People's Choice Awards Wins
In January 2017, Britney Spears received four wins at the 43rd People's Choice Awards, including Favorite Pop Artist and Female Artist.
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 Primary Election Rescheduled
In April 2017, the Israeli Labor Party announced that it would reschedule its July primary election to avoid conflict with Britney Spears' sold-out Tel Aviv concert.
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, marking a significant recognition of her impact on pop culture.
December 2017: Support for DREAM Act
In December 2017, Britney Spears publicly showed support for the DREAM Act, posting a photo of herself wearing a "We Are All Dreamers" T-shirt.
2017: Britney: Piece of Me Residency Ends
In 2017, Britney Spears concluded her four-year concert residency, "Britney: Piece of Me."
2017: Reflecting on Mental Health
In 2017, Britney Spears reflected on her past struggles, acknowledging the need for breaks and taking responsibility for her mental health throughout her career.
December 31, 2017: Final "Britney: Piece of Me" Show
On December 31, 2017, Britney Spears performed the final show of "Britney: Piece of Me". The performance reportedly brought in $1.172 million, setting a new box office record for a single show in Las Vegas.
January 2018: Release of "Sunset Fantasy" 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", expanding her brand and performances.
January 2018: Spears releases 24 fragrances
As of January 2018, Britney Spears has released 24 fragrances through Elizabeth Arden, marking a significant milestone in her entrepreneurial ventures.
March 2018: Spears becomes face of Kenzo
In March 2018, it was revealed that Britney Spears would be the face of Kenzo, a contemporary French luxury clothing house, marking a high-fashion endorsement deal.
March 20, 2018: Kenzo Campaign Announcement
On March 20, 2018, Britney Spears was announced as part of a campaign for French luxury fashion house Kenzo, showcasing her influence in fashion.
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 Announcement
On April 27, 2018, Epic Rights announced a new partnership with Britney Spears to debut her own fashion line in 2019, expanding her business ventures.
July 2018: Release of Unisex Fragrance "Prerogative"
In July 2018, Britney Spears released her first unisex fragrance, "Prerogative", expanding her brand with a more inclusive product.
July 2018: "Piece of Me Tour" Start
In July 2018, Britney Spears' "Piece of Me Tour" began in North America and Europe, showcasing her continued popularity with sold-out shows and high demand.
October 18, 2018: "Britney: Domination" Residency Announcement
On October 18, 2018, Britney Spears announced her second Las Vegas residency show, "Britney: Domination", which was set to launch at Park MGM's Park Theatre on February 13, 2019, indicating continued success.
October 21, 2018: 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
In 2018, Britney Spears received the GLAAD Vanguard Award for her role in promoting acceptance of the LGBTQ community.
2018: Katy Perry Breaks Salary Record
In 2018, Katy Perry broke Britney Spears' record of highest-paid judge on a singing competition series.
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 due to her father's illness, marking a pause in her career.
January 2019: Conservatorship Allegations
In January 2019, Britney Spears was allegedly held in a facility against her will after she violated a no-driving rule, according to a fan podcast. The allegations gave rise to a movement to terminate the conservatorship, #FreeBritney.
March 2019: Andrew Wallet Resignation and Psychiatric Facility
In March 2019, Andrew Wallet resigned as co-conservator of her estate after 11 years, and Britney Spears 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 the West Hollywood City Hall and demanded Britney Spears' release, showing support amid conservatorship concerns.
May 2019: Judge Orders Conservatorship Evaluation
In a May 2019 hearing, Judge Brenda Penny ordered a professional evaluation of Britney Spears' conservatorship, indicating legal scrutiny.
2019: #FreeBritney Movement
In 2019, Britney Spears' legal battle over her conservatorship gained significant media attention, leading to the establishment of the #FreeBritney movement.
2019: Rita Ora's music video inspired by Spears
In 2019, Rita Ora's music video for "Only Want You" was inspired by Britney Spears' "Everytime" music video, showcasing Spears' continuing impact on other artists.
February 2020: Opening of "The Zone" Pop-Up Museum
In February 2020, an interactive pop-up museum dedicated to Britney Spears, dubbed "The Zone", opened in Los Angeles, showcasing her legacy.
March 2020: Spears participates in #DoYourPartChallenge
In March 2020, Britney Spears participated in the #DoYourPartChallenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering supportive words to fans and helping those in need.
May 2020: "Mood Ring" Single Release and "Glory" Album Relaunch
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, showing continued activity in her career.
August 17, 2020: Spears' Desire to Alter Conservatorship
On August 17, 2020, Britney Spears' court-appointed lawyer, Samuel D. Ingham III, submitted a court filing that documented Spears' desire to have her conservatorship altered, marking a push for more control over her life.
November 2020: Bessemer Trust Approved as Co-Conservator
In November 2020, Penny approved Bessemer Trust as co-conservator of Britney Spears' estate alongside Jamie, changing the dynamics of her conservatorship.
2020: Billboard Ranking
In 2020, Billboard ranked Britney Spears as the eighth Greatest Music Video Artist of All Time, acknowledging her creativity and impact on music videos over the past three decades.
2020: Billboard ranks Spears as one of the Greatest Music Video Artists
In 2020, Billboard ranked Britney Spears eight on its 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of all-time list, recognizing her contributions to the art of music videos.
2020: "...Baby One More Time" Named Greatest Debut Single
In 2020, Rolling Stone named Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time" as the greatest debut single of all time, recognizing its lasting impact and influence.
February 2021: "Framing Britney Spears" Documentary Premiere
In February 2021, the documentary "Framing Britney Spears" premiered on FX, bringing renewed attention to her career and conservatorship.
June 22, 2021: Court Documents Reveal Spears' Push to End Conservatorship
On June 22, 2021, confidential court documents obtained by The New York Times revealed that Britney Spears had pushed for years to end her conservatorship, intensifying public interest in her case.
August 5, 2021: Conversion to Catholicism
On August 5, 2021, Britney Spears announced that she had converted to Catholicism.
September 15, 2021: 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 to Fans
In October 2021, Britney Spears thanked her fans and the #FreeBritney movement for "freeing me from my conservatorship".
2021: Legacy as Pop Artist
In 2021, Britney Spears was regarded as the "Princess of Pop", having led the teen pop revival and solidifying her impact through both musical achievements and personal struggles.
2021: Conservatorship Termination
In 2021, Britney Spears' conservatorship was terminated after her public testimony, in which she accused her management team and family of abuse. This marked a significant victory after a long legal battle.
2021: One of the 100 Most Influential People
In 2021, Time named Britney Spears one of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing her impact and influence beyond music.
April 2022: Pregnancy Announcement
In April 2022, Britney Spears announced her pregnancy with Asghari's child, marking a new chapter in her personal life.
September 5, 2022: Declared Atheism
On September 5, 2022, Britney Spears declared that she no longer believes in God 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 several calls from concerned fans, highlighting the ongoing public interest in her well-being.
July 21, 2023: Release of "Mind Your Business" Single
On July 21, 2023, Britney Spears and will.i.am released their single, "Mind Your Business", marking her return to music.
September 2023: Additional Welfare Check
In September 2023, an additional welfare check was initiated when Spears posted an Instagram video of herself dancing with knives. Her security team assured the attending officer that there was no immediate threat to her safety, and the officer departed.
October 24, 2023: Release of "The Woman in Me" Memoir
On October 24, 2023, Britney Spears' memoir, "The Woman in Me", was released, detailing her life and experiences.
2023: Spears sales reach 150 million records
As of 2023, Britney Spears has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
2023: Affair Admission
In 2023, Britney Spears admitted to engaging in an affair with Wade Robson.
2023: The Woman in Me Memoir Release
In 2023, Britney Spears' memoir, "The Woman in Me," was released and quickly reached number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.
2023: Abortion Revelation in Memoir
In her 2023 memoir, Britney Spears revealed that she had an abortion in late 2000 while dating Justin Timberlake, due to his feeling that they were not prepared for parenthood.
January 2024: Reports of Songwriting Offers
In January 2024, reports circulated that Charli XCX and Julia Michaels had been asked to write songs for Britney Spears, creating speculation about her return to the music industry.
February 2024: Spears partners with Glace to create 'Britney Brûlée'
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: Reaching a Divorce Settlement with Asghari
On May 1, 2024, Britney Spears and Sam Asghari reached a divorce settlement, signaling the end of their marriage.
May 2024: Charli XCX Confirms Songwriting Offer
In May 2024, Charli XCX confirmed in an interview that she was indeed asked to write for Britney Spears and travelled to Malibu for it, but that 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, recognizing her impact and contributions to pop music.
December 2, 2024: Finalization of Spears and Asghari Divorce
On December 2, 2024, the judge finalized the divorce settlement between Britney Spears and Sam Asghari, officially ending their marriage.
