Lasting Legacy of Britney Spears: A Look at the Influence on History

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Britney Spears across different fields.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2005: Most Popular Search Term

In 2005, 'Britney Spears' was Yahoo!'s most popular search term, showcasing her widespread public interest.

2008: Most Popular Search Term

In 2008, 'Britney Spears' was Yahoo!'s most popular search term, showcasing her widespread public interest.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.