On Thursday night, Britney Spears declared herself a Femme Fatale, launching her tour in Sacramento, California. Having already garnered praise from critics who attended her dress rehearsal, Spears got more rave reviews from music journalists who attended the kick-off show.
In addition to the glitzy costumes and high production value, Spears flaunted her stage chops, sashaying to songs like "Hold It Against Me" and "Big Fat Bass," as well as old-school jams like "Toxic" and "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know."
Describing it as "her flashiest, fastest moving, and most entertaining production yet," Rollingstone.com said that while tour-opener Nicki Minaj brought her signature sass, "The night belonged to Britney: She managed to prove that she's still progressing as a showgirl. Not only that, she's doing it better than even die-hard defenders would've predicted."
The Sacramento Bee explained that while "Spears performed like a pro throughout the show, hitting all her marks, she had shown hesitancy in her movements — natural for the first stop on a tour. But that hesitancy vanished when she put on the denim. She seemed at ease."
The best review of all may have come from Spears herself, who enthusiastically took to Twitter to thank her fans: "Can't sleep. WAY too much Adrenaline right now. Sacramento was on fire tonight. You ready San Jose? Cause I am!!!!"
Britney Spears is a dozen years into her career, and yet the kickoff of her Femme Fatale tour at the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento last night managed to propel her forward. She's wisely focusing on the present – she sang nine songs from her latest album Femme Fatale and snagged Nicki Minaj as her opening act – while offering possibly her flashiest, fastest moving, and most entertaining production yet.
Taking her entrance atop a moving platform in the first of many skimpy and sparkling Barbarella-esque outfits, Spears kicked off her performance with "Hold It Against Me." Flipping her massive blonde locks/weave/wig in what the Glee kids call "hairography," Spears shook what her hairdresser gave her while dancing hunks in policeman gear suggestively wielded truncheons around her. For "Up n’ Down," she and her female dancers reappeared in several cages made of poles, and were soon to be joined by the cops executing jungle gym acrobatics atop the cages. White satin fedoras and trench coats were donned for "3," and for "Piece of Me" she flew over the stage until the cops ripped off their shirts to reveal S&M bondage harnesses.
It was that kind of show, and the largely female audience sprinkled with some enthusiastic guys liked it that way: Throughout her set, the screaming from the fans rarely relented. Just about every number offered a different a visual theme more over-the-top than the one before it. "Big Fat Bass" featured giant speaker cabinets with woofers circled by flashing, color-changing lights. Spears took her entrance during "How I Roll" in a car that resembled a pink Mini Cooper. The hood folded into steps that allowed Spears to walk over and down the car – one of many agile moves Spears executed without twisting an ankle.
Her set was half over before she sang a track older than four years; this was "Boys (Remix)," followed by the sole slowie, "Don’t Let Me Be the Last to Know," which she sang on a swing. Here her mike was clearly turned on, and the results confirmed why Spears typically relies on prerecorded vocals. Her surprise cover of Madonna’s early single "Burning Up" lacked Madge’s authority, but it did feature Spears straddling a giant glittering guitar 10 or so feet high and twice as long. Her encore of "Toxic" featured a booming Dance Dance Revolution-styled remix with Japanese kimonos and dancing ninjas to match while "Till the World Ends" included Minaj rapping via video — an odd choice, since she was likely still backstage.
Britney Spears' Life in Photos: Her Rise, Fall and Comeback
Minaj’s own set lacked Spears’s budget or sharp choreography. Instead, the rapper tottered around on lime green platform shoes that threatened to tip her balance. Although she’s styled as a dance-pop diva, Minaj did little dancing — or singing, or even live rapping. Like Spears, much of her vocals were clearly prerecorded, which got a little too obvious during "Monster." Obviously she doesn’t have Kanye West with her, but throughout even her part in the song she sat nearly immobile, not bothering to hold a mike or move her lips.
Minaj clearly has stage presence, and the fact that fans cheered through abbreviated versions of her hits means that she’s doing something right by just showing up. But as a showcase for her considerable talents, her Thursday night performance lacked the commitment of her records. Surely the wild woman of "Did It On’em" can do better.
But really, the night belonged to Britney: She managed to prove that she's still progressing as a showgirl. Not only that, she's doing it better than even diehard defenders would’ve predicted. At 29, the pop star whose career seemed in danger of ending just a couple years ago has shown that she's back – hopefully this time to stay.
Jamie Spears is going to court to get some serious money for directing Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Tour that kicks off today in Sacramento, CA... but turns out he'll be the best bargain in town.
TMZ has obtained legal docs that Jamie has filed with the judge in Britney's conservatorship case ... asking the judge to give him money for directing the tour and managing the logistics of the tour.
Jamie has not specified the amount of money he wants, and sources tell us it hasn't been calculated yet. Sources tell us the amount will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it's crazy cheap for what Jamie is doing.
To give you some perspective, 5 people managed the 2009 Circus Tour. Although the amount they made is blacked out in the legal documents, we were able to discern the amount is in the 7 figures.
With Jamie on board for the Britney Spears/Nicki Minaj Femme Fatale Tour, 3 of the 5 positions will be eliminated. Thus, if Jamie gets a 6 figure salary for the upcoming 8-month world tour, everybody wins.
Whatever Jamie gets for the tour ... it will be in addition to the $16,000 a month he's pulling in for serving as Britney's conservator.
How do I know this? Because last night I was among just a handful of people invited to watch the pop princess' first—and very private—dress rehearsal of her upcoming Femme Fatale tour.
Before I give ya some of the highlights, just let me say that if you don't have tickets yet, run and get them now.
The show opens with a video of Spears in a sparkly leotard (one of many skimpy outfits that shows off her back-in-shape bod) being chased by cops through an industrial landscape. And yes, Britney's brandishing a gun. Think Salt meets Charlie's Angels.
The song list includes more than—ready for this?—20 songs. She starts with "Hold It Against Me," followed by, well, everything, including "…Baby One More Time," "I'm a Slave 4 U," "Toxic," "Gimme More," "(Drop Dead) Beautiful," "Big Fat Bass" and "Till The World Ends."
Spears covers Madonna's "Burning Up" while straddling a gigantic electric guitar. She sings Rihanna's "S&M" in a flamboyant motorcycle gear (denim, leather, studs, etc.).
Footage of a slightly older, grizzly faced fellow in what appears to be some sort of Cold War radio transmission bunker is shown throughout the show. He says things like, "Bring your best game because tonight you and I are dancing a vicious dance," and asks, "What man are you bringing to his knees?"
Other video highlights include shots of completely naked men (just butts—no full-frontal, people!) and her male dancers in what can only be described as S&M leather gear and toys, including facemasks and nipple clamps.
All of her dancers—male and female—help keep the energy (a lot of it sexual!) going with gyrations, contortions, the aforementioned nakedness and lots of sweating. Special shout-out to Marco Da Silva—holy ridiculousness of tattooed muscles!
During "I Wanna Go," a bunch of us were brought on stage to dance with Britney. Yes, I can say I danced on a stage with Britney Spears! And so can my pals from Pink is the New Blog, BreatheHeavy.com, Just Jared and Ellen K. from Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM morning show, among others. Who else was there? Spears' hottie boyfriend Jason Trawick (he even got on stage during "How I Roll" to be tied up and straddled by his girlfriend), dad Jamie and Brit's two adorable sons, Sean and Jaden.
The finale is insane. I won't tell you exactly what happens, but it includes big, white angel wings.
There's so much more to see and hear. Spears sings, dances and gives you some of her best work ever. Like I said, get your tickets now!
Britney Spears has been pretty MIA for the past few weeks but only because she has been working night and day on rehearsals for her upcoming Femme Fatale World Tour. Earlier today we got our first look at the stage layout for the tour and right now we get to see new photos of Britney out and about as she made her exit from the gym this week.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen photos of Britney just out in the world doing stuff … but because she’s been working hard behind the scenes rehearsing for her tour, I’m OK without the daily Brit sightings. I know for a fact that her tour is going to be AMAZING! It will be all anyone can talk about … and I can’t wait to see it!! Keep up the hard work, Britters ;D
Source: Pink Is The New Blog
Can't wait for the tour to start so that there will be actual news to report...
Britney Spears sure knows how to welcome home the troops.
About a month ago, some very clever Marines posted a video on YouTube of themselves lip-syncing to the pop star's recent hit "Hold It Against Me."
How's Brit returning the love? Read on to find out...
I can exclusively reveal that Spears has invited the troops to her upcoming Femme Fatale tour.
"I was so moved by the 'Hold It Against Me' video that the Marines of HMLA-169 and VMM-266 REIN made in Afghanistan," Spears tells me. "It warmed my heart to see our nation's soldiers enjoying themselves to my music. I am honored to have them as guests at my concert this summer. I hope they like my show as much as I loved theirs."
I'm told that Spears also sent care packages to the troops along with handwritten notes.
Shortly, after the video hit the web, Spears tweeted, "I am in LOVE with this. I always knew our soldiers were fierce! Thanks fore everything you guys do."
Britney Spears sure knows how to welcome home the troops.
About a month ago, some very clever Marines posted a video on YouTube of themselves lip-syncing to the pop star's recent hit "Hold It Against Me."
How's Brit returning the love? Read on to find out...
I can exclusively reveal that Spears has invited the troops to her upcoming Femme Fatale tour.
"I was so moved by the 'Hold It Against Me' video that the Marines of HMLA-169 and VMM-266 REIN made in Afghanistan," Spears tells me. "It warmed my heart to see our nation's soldiers enjoying themselves to my music. I am honored to have them as guests at my concert this summer. I hope they like my show as much as I loved theirs."
I'm told that Spears also sent care packages to the troops along with handwritten notes.
Shortly, after the video hit the web, Spears tweeted, "I am in LOVE with this. I always knew our soldiers were fierce! Thanks fore everything you guys do."
For most people, the idea of working out for more than six hours a day might sound like nothing short of torture.
But Britney Spears can't get enough. For the last six weeks, she's been training for 90 minutes a day, followed by another five hours of dance rehearsals in preparation for her North American tour, kicking off June 16 in Sacramento.
"I'm pumped up!" Spears tells PEOPLE inside her cozy dressing room on the Sony lot in Culver City, Calif. "We've been working hard. And the costumes are coming next week. This is the exciting part, when all the pieces – the masterpiece – come together."
During Spears's month and a half of prep time, trainer Derek DeGrazio has cooked, packaged and labeled meals (like baked fish and broccoli) and snacks (such as celery with almond butter) for the 29-year-old pop star, six days a week.
She does get a break from all the discipline, though. Sunday, says Spears, is her "cheat day."
But it's certainly not derailing her efforts. Spears's workouts and her 1,500-calorie-a-day nutrition plan have whipped her into top tour shape.
"You can see the tone in her muscles – her arms, legs and abs," says DeGrazio. "She looks amazing." Source: People
Britney Spears is on the phone from rehearsals in Los Angeles, where she is busy singing, dancing, and "It's Britney, bitch"-ing in preparation for her summer tour. She sounds energized and positive, occasionally flashing a wry sense of humor that those who see her only on TV and in the tabloids never glimpse.
Professionally, Britney has a lot to feel good about: Her new album, Femme Fatale, is receiving the best reviews of her almost-20-year career. "I've worked so hard on this album, so it's really refreshing," she says. "I feel like I'm drinking a tall glass of homemade sweet tea on a really hot, beautiful day."
LAURA BROWN: What has been your best fashion look?
BRITNEY SPEARS: I went to the Grammys in 2002, and I had really curly, curly hair. I had a red dress on. It wasn't short and saucy; it was a long red dress. That dress was fun.
LB: What was your biggest fashion mistake?
BS: Ten years ago at the Billboard awards, I wore this orange hat and orange bra and orange booty pants and purple fishnets. Oh, and I had an orange jacket on.
LB: Was it Halloween?
BS [laughs]: No, it wasn't Halloween. I actually thought I looked hot at the time. But, um, I definitely stood out. I thought it was just a marvelous idea to wear this purple and orange outfit; it was like high school colors. I was a cheerleader for a school I didn't know. People were talking about it, but not in a good way.
LB: Your hair is looking long and lustrous. Are you whipping it back and forth?
BS: Yeah, I love ponytails. I'm a wash-and-go girl. But, oh yeah, I like to whip it.
LB: Are you enjoying dancing again?
BS: I love to dance, so it's very exciting. The tour rehearsals have been going really well. I think it will be my best show yet.
LB: Will you pull out any giant snakes?
BS: Ha, we'll see about that. Hopefully, I won't be in the wilderness onstage.
LB: What songs get you moving?
BS: I love "S&M" and "Only Girl" by Rihanna; that's why I jumped on the "S&M" remix. She's really cool. I like her a lot.
LB: Everybody has Bieber fever. Have you met Justin? Would you ever want to work with him?
BS: I think he's adorable. I just saw his movie, and I really didn't realize how big he was. He's enormous; he's just Mr. Man. A lot of the movie is really similar to what I did when I was starting out. I did a promo tour for a year, going into radio stations and all that. It was so cool to see our similarities.
LB: "It's Britney, bitch" is classic, but you say you're less bitchy than impatient. What makes you impatient?
BS: When things take a long time, I just get really stubborn. When I know that things are supposed to go a certain way [laughs] and when it's my time of the month.
LB: What makes you laugh uncontrollably?
BS: Usually when people trip or fall or run into something. Not to be mean, but I can't help it. If they really hurt themselves, then I feel bad, but if they accidentally do it and they stand up and act cool like nobody saw them, I have to laugh.
LB: It's been eight years since you kissed Madonna onstage at the MTV awards. What have you learned from her?
BS: I actually saw her a couple of weeks ago at a party. I guess she's really taught me to stay true to myself. That seems like a simple thing to say, but she taught me through action, not just by saying it. There are so many people around you that have opinions, but you just have to listen to your instincts.
LB: You've said Jennifer Lopez inspires you professionally. Would you ever want to be a judge on American Idol?
BS: I would! That would be awesome. I wouldn't be a tough judge, though.
LB: What do you think of Lady Gaga?
BS: She's unique and extremely talented. I love her spin on everything.
LB: On your Web site, you have a "BS Alert" where you clear up gossip. Have you ever been tempted to make something up to see what happens?
BS: No way! They make up enough stories without my help.
LB: How has being a mom affected how you approach your career?
BS: I think things through a little bit more, and I worry a lot. I'm more straightforward, and I speak up more than I did before. When I was younger, I wouldn't speak up as much, but now that I'm a mom, things have changed.
LB: Would you like to get married again? More kids?
BS: I've thought about both, so if the timing was right ...
LB: Could you see your sons performing?
BS: If they have a love and passion for the arts and that's what they want to do, then so be it. They are both little actors and so charismatic, I wouldn't be surprised at all.
LB: Which one of your hits made you realize you'd made it?
BS: From the beginning, probably "... Baby One More Time." I haven't seen that video in such a long time.
LB: What's your favorite video?
BS: "Overprotected." I just think it says a lot. It was directed so well, it was really colorful, and the dancing was amazing.
LB: Who is your greatest inspiration musically?
BS: Whitney Houston. I've loved her since I was a kid.
LB: If you met yourself at a party, what would you think?
BS: If I met me, I would say a quick hello and then think that I was a really nice girl.
LB: What is your perfect day, morning through to night?
BS: Getting up with coffee--two cups of coffee. Having a good workout, taking a swim, my boys being there and just having a good day at the pool--we have a theme-park slide. We'd have snow cones, then I'd go to the movies and spend time with my boyfriend. Maybe a Femme Fatale moment [laughs].
LB: What is your guilty pleasure?
BS: Bapchi's caramel toffee from Vosges. They were in my hotel room, and I made everyone bring them from their rooms.
LB: What don't people know about you?
BS: I'm pretty normal, you know? Like I said, the type of day I love is just like everybody else's. I'm like everybody else.
Break the Ice is a blog dedicated to the one and only, Miss Britney Spears. So original, right? I decided to create this blog because I was getting sick of going to fans sites that didn't update as frequently as I wanted. Our goal here at Break the Ice is to bring you ALL Britney news ALL the time. Tom and Cool are the administrators and Beautiful Sinner, Joel, Tekkie, Johnny, Juicy UK, Marcus and Jenna Pixie are updaters. Together, we form the Break the Ice team!
Any questions/comments/concerns? Please e-mail us at breaktheiceblog@aol.com. Enjoy!
On Thursday night, Britney Spears declared herself a Femme Fatale, launching her tour in Sacramento, California. Having already garnered praise from critics who attended her dress rehearsal, Spears got more rave reviews from music journalists who attended the kick-off show. 
For most people, the idea of working out for more than six hours a day might sound like nothing short of torture.
Source: People
