Top 40 Pop Artists of All Time

#12 - Britney Spears

Britney Spears was the biggest of the teen pop stars to emerge in the late 1990s. However, by the middle of the following decade it seemed her musical career may have drowned in a mass of bad publicity and personal difficulties. Britney Spears then put together one of the most phenomenal comebacks in pop music history and is more commercially and critically successful than ever before. In the past decade she has released 16 top 40 pop singles, five #1 albums and is, at the age of 27, a pop icon.

Essential Songs

"...Baby One More Time"
"Toxic"
"Womanizer"
"Oops!...I Did It Again"
"Piece of Me"

Source: About.com

Top Ten Celebrity Comebacks of the Decade

The decade started so well for Britney Spears. She was at the top of her game at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards when she strutted across the stage crooning "I'm a Slave 4 U," a larger-than-life snake slithering above her taut abs.

Even Madonna wanted a piece of her. Their kiss at the 2003 VMAs made headlines around the world and is still one of MTV's most-talked-about moments.

By 2006, it appeared the pop princess was ready to abdicate her throne, her marriage to Kevin Federline and custody of their two boys, Sean Preston and Jayden James. A months-long saga of bad behavior that included multiple flashes of her private parts, countless nights on the town and allegations of drug and alcohol abuse culminated in February 2007 with Spears buzzing off her famous locks at a Tarzana, Calif., hair salon while photographers snapped away outside. Later that year, she gave what has become a widely ridiculed performance at the VMAs.

It took nearly two years and her father taking charge of her life before Spears regained her footing. Musically, she ends the decade on an up note. Her 2008 song "Womanizer" put her back at the top of the singles charts for the first time since the 1990s. And her album "Circus" is approaching double-platinum status, while her 2009 concert tour was the year's highest-grossing in the United States .

Source: ABC News

Lance Bass Talks About Britney

Lance Bass is ready to party like it's 1999.

That means several things for the boy-bander-turned-"Dancing With the Stars" contestant. For one thing, he would be more than happy to hit the road with his old bandmates in 'NSYNC.

"There's always a possibility for a tour or reunion. It's something that we really haven't discussed yet," he told MTV News. "But it's something I would love to talk about. I think it's maybe needed in the next year or so, and I think our fans would love it, 'cause we never got to say goodbye. I want to do the Boyz II Men thing, where we just sit on the stools," he joked
.
And it wouldn't be like the good old days if former tourmate Britney Spears weren't about to put out fresh music. Bass is all about her return. "I am totally stoked to see Britney come back," he said. "I think it's going to be one of the biggest comebacks you've ever seen. It's not even a comeback - she's always been around - but I think, personally, she's ready to explode again."

Bass thinks this is a good time for Spears to return to the spotlight because, he says, it's as good a time as ever to be a pop artist. "Everyone wants to have fun with music again, and she always makes it fun," he said. "I think the last two years was a just a scam, so that she can make a huge comeback. I want to believe it was a big old punk on us."

Source: MTV

Thanx BritLover!

Britney Spears' Comeback Set To Continue

The following italicized article is from www.mirror.co.uk:

Britney Spears' phenomenal comeback looks set to continue with a surprise appearance at the European MTV Awards in Liverpool next month.

Brit - who scooped three Moon Man awards at the MTV Video Music Awards in Hollywood last month - is set to seal a remarkable end to the year by attending the star-studded bash.

An MTV source confirmed: "Given Britney's comeback there would be no one better to attend the awards. She's probably the biggest pop star in the world and after shining at the VMAs Britney would definitely spice things up in Liverpool.

"There is a hope she will perform, but if not she could just present an award - it's all very exciting."

If Britney does go she will be joined by fellow A-listers Katy Perry, who will be host, Beyonce, Pink, Duffy and The Killers. We can't wait!

Source: Mirror

The Curious Case Of The Britney Spears Comeback, In Bigger Than The Sound

The following italicized article is from www.mtv.com:

On The Record: Britney Spears Cannot Be Stopped, No Matter How Hard You Try

I'm beginning to think I was wrong about this Britney Spears character. See, last month, I wrote a column that basically asked "Can Britney Ever Be Britney Again?" (Short answer: No, if only because no one can be Britney Spears again.) And while I'm still sticking by that assumption — after all, the deck is clearly stacked against her, in ways that are not at all her fault (the state of the industry, the splintering of the media, etc.) — it would appear that I was way off base about one thing: It does not appear that Britney is going anywhere anytime soon.

This is because Britney Spears is indestructible. She is made of Teflon and adamantium and cannot be stopped. Ever. She is impervious to trends or time or taste (which sort of makes her like the Highlander) and will be here long after you and I are gone.

This started to become apparent to me when I read the comments on my initial column, the majority of which came from fans who were either mildly upset ("BETTER THAN EVER!! EVERYBODY'S TALKIN' ALL THE STUFFS ABOUT BRITNEY. WHY DON'T THEY JUST LET HER LIVE?") or angered to the point of death wishes and homophobia ("This is f---ing retarded!! Britney Spears is a living legend! She will be better than ever. STFU, stupid f----t. I bet you like Christina, loser. I hope you die.").

And then, Britney kicked her comeback into full gear. First, she announced that she had a new album on the way and she'd be promoting it with the "all access" (snicker) documentary "Britney Spears: For the Record." And to top it all off, there was the debut of her uncensored "Womanizer" video, which featured her in all manners of undress and was apparently deemed "too hot for '20/20' " (John Stossel's mustache was outraged!). And suddenly, the Brit-sanity was off the charts.

It seemed possible that Spears' entire fanbase could spontaneously combust at any moment (perhaps this is the cause of the latest round of California wildfires). After all, according to their logic, Britney was back, returned from the hereafter to silence all her critics and reclaim the pop throne. She had beaten her demons and emerged stronger and sexier, and there wasn't a mean-spirited blog or jealous music critic (or an increasingly disinterested record-buying populace) who could stop her.

And with logic like that, who needs logic? It's gotten to the point where Britney fans won't even listen to suggestions that the Spears of 2008 is slightly less globe-uniting than the Spears of 2000. To them, nothing has changed. There were no upskirt shots or messy divorces, no shaved heads or stints in rehabilitation facilities. In their minds, no one has left the Britney Camp, and there is no chance her new album might underwhelm, both critically and financially. To be a die-hard Britney Spears fan in 2008 is akin to being a Republican or a Democrat: There is a defensiveness in it, an anger. There is no other alternative to consider, because the alternative is completely wrong.

And this is why Britney Spears will never leave us. Somehow, she has become vital, she has become iconic, and — most of all — she has become infallible. Just take a look at fan reactions to "Womanizer," a song that kind of sounds like what would happen if you threw Mike Jones and an air-raid siren into a blender ... and not in a good way. (I will get between 50 and 100 angry e-mails/comments about that statement, I guarantee it.) To them, the song is brilliant, a clarion call to the "haterz" out there and the best thing she's ever done. In the eyes of her fans, Britney can never do wrong, which pretty much guarantees that she'll live forever, in one form or another. And to that end, just by coming back, she's already written the next chapter in her career. She's a success, and the results — album sales, airplay for singles, tour receipts — are inconsequential.

Of course, none of that is wrong in any way. Who am I to say what people should or shouldn't like? After all, I wrote a paean to Phish last week. But Brit fans should probably realize that none of it means that Britney will ever be the kind of superstar she was for the first half of this decade. The fact remains that there are fewer record-buying individuals left on the planet — and even fewer Britney Spears fans. She will always have her loyal armies, she will always have those inexhaustible supporters, but the rest are gone for good.

Which is why, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, I still believe that my initial assessment of her comeback was correct. Britney will sell a few records out of the gate (probably debuting at #1), her singles will splash big (probably on "Gossip Girl") then inevitably fade, her tour will launch with much fanfare and some bit of trivial controversy, and then everyone will move on. This is just the way things happen these days. A comeback is a relative term ... so is a career.

And to that point, I'll freely admit to having underestimated Britney. She inspires in ways I do not understand, she survives in ways I cannot comprehend, and she endures. She has outlasted almost every one of her contemporaries, she has become a measuring stick and a cautionary tale and an icon. Will she be the next Madonna? Probably not. The next Cher? All crazy, somewhat diluted, grammatically adventurous signs point to "Yes."

Source: MTV

Britney Spears to Play Las Vegas Gig?

The following italicized article is from www.showbizspy.com:

Britney Spears will mark her comeback by playing a special New Years eve gig in Las Vegas, according to reports.

The Toxic singer -- who bagged three MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month -- is planning a show at the Pearl Theater in the Palms Resort And Casino, which will see her perform with a cast of burlesque dancers just before midnight on December 31.

According to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, the Las Vegas show will "kick off a world tour that will be bigger and better than anything she's done before."

A source says, "Britney has been recording her sixth album at Palms and she is good friends with George from way back.

"They are cooking up the idea of making a big bold statement by making her comeback on New Year's Eve. It’s going to be the hottest ticket on the planet."

A rep for Spears was unavailable as Showbiz Spy went to press.

Source: Showbiz Spy

Troubled Britney Spears Plans Comeback Gig In Las Vegas On New Year's Eve

The following italicized article is from www.mirror.co.uk:

For nearly two years Britney Spears has battled her demons as the showbiz world looked on in disbelief.

Public meltdowns, divorce, rehab, drug problems and a bitter custody battle – it’s fair to say Brit’s life had become a total mess.

Now I can reveal she is preparing to put the past well and truly behind her and make a spectacular live comeback in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve.

The show at the Pearl Theatre in the Palms Resort And Casino will tell the world Britney’s back. It will also kick off a world tour that I’m told will be bigger and better than anything she’s done before.

A few months ago, if someone had told me Brit was going back on the road, I’d have fallen off my Jimmy Choos in surprise.

But I saw her looking amazing as she collected three gongs at last week’s MTV awards, and I was convinced she’s finally sorted herself out. My spies tell me she has been discussing the show and tour with pal George Maloof, owner of the Palms. The plan is that Britney will go on stage just before midnight, and she’s told George she wants a cast of burlesque dancers and as many fireworks and special effects as he can afford.

Celebrities and industry bigwigs will be invited to fly in from LA to witness the extravaganza.

A source told me: “Britney has been recording her sixth album at Palms and she is good friends with George from way back. They are cooking up the idea of making a big bold statement by making her comeback on New Year’s Eve. It’s going to be the hottest ticket on the planet.”

Britney has seen in the New Year in Sin City before but with disastrous consequences.

At the Palms resort back in 2003, she went on a bender with then boyfriend Jason Alexander and ended up tying the knot with him – the marriage was annulled 55 hours later. And in 2006 Britney collapsed and had to be taken home before she could host a party at Caesars Palace.

Source: The Mirror

Spears Tops Best Comeback Poll

The following italicized article is from www.contactmusic.com:

BRITNEY SPEARS' MTV Video Music Awards appearance has been voted the greatest comeback ever.

The troubled pop star was awarded three gongs at the ceremony on Sunday (07Sep08) - and it has landed her the top spot in an online survey.

British boy band Take That were awarded second place in the comeback poll, after they burst back onto the music scene in 2006 following a 10-year absence.

Australian singer Kylie Minogue was voted third, for returning to the limelight in 2006 after battling breast cancer.Fourth and fifth places were handed to John Travolta and Robert Downey Jr. respectively, in the survey conducted by Onepoll.

Source: Contact Music

Reassembled Britney

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

The Britney Spears Comeback Tour rages on as the conservatorship wonder continues to shock and awe -- kinda sorta.

And her weave is finally starting to look as healthy as she does.

Source: TMZ

Britney Gets Her Dance Moves Down -- for a New Tour?

The following italicized article is from www.extratv.warnerbros.com:

Rumors were flying all weekend that Brit would perform at the VMAs, after a super-secret rehearsal video leaked to the net -- but since the MTV awards show passed without a "Piece of Me" performance, what was Britney prepping for in her dancing video?

Late Saturday, "Extra" spotted her leaving a Hollywood studio -- and we hear she was actually prepping to kick off a new tour next year.

The pop mom, who nabbed three moon men at the VMAs, received lots of love from her fans and supporters in the Tinseltown community. "I think people understand what she's been through," said Brit's manager, Larry Rudolph. "They really love her." Brit's got some fans in "The Hills" as well! "I've always been a fan," Audrina Patridge told "Extra." Lauren Conrad added, "I'm so excited -- I love Britney Spears!"

Source: Extra TV

Britney Spears: 'My Father Saved my Life'

The following italicized article is from www.contactmusic.com:

Troubled pop star BRITNEY SPEARS has credited her father JAMIE with saving her life - after he stepped in to help her following a series of breakdowns.

The toxic hitmaker was hospitalised at the beginning of this year (08) under a mental health order, and her father subsequently took over her legal and business affairs - becoming conservator of her estate.

Spears was also stripped of visitation rights to her two sons, but following several months under the guidance of her dad she has won back the right to see her children and is now working on a career comeback.

And Spears insists she will always be grateful to Jamie for helping her sort her life out.She tells British newspaper the Daily Star, "My father saved my life. I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. I've not always been a good daughter; but he basically gave up his job and his life to look after me at a time when I wasn't even sure I wanted to go on living.

"I owe him my life."

Source: Contact Music

Britney Spears to Sing for Royal Family?

The following italicized article is from www.foxnews.com:

Britney Spears is on the comeback trail and it looks like our royal family could be the salvation that she needs to finally get back on track. Insiders tell me that the pop tart is in talks with EBF, the home of the famous variety show held each year in front of the royal family in December.

The idea came from Prince Harry and Chelsey — they are both big fans. Word is the singer who has battled demons and divorce is “over the moon with the offer and making arrangements as I write.“

An insider tells me “she feels that this is a great seal of approval and knows that it's an honor to be asked. Plus, what a great comeback and who better than in front of the royal family?" ...

Source: FOX News

Britney & Lynne's Secret Shopping Trip!

The following italicized article is from www.x17online.com:

Britney Spears barely had a moment to spare yesterday - on top of all her comeback-related commitments, she got in a little quality time with her mother!

We caught Britney and her mother Lynne dropping by Victoria's Secret to shop for unmentionables. Isn't it kind of Britney to spend so much of her free time with her mother? With the tabloids still running wild with those allegations, Lynne could use all the family support she can get!

See more more pics & video here!

Source: X17

Britney Immerses Herself In Work

The following italicized article is from www.x17online.com:

X17online can exclusively report that while Britney and Kevin's lawyers were hashing out a new custody agreement last night, Britney was at Ben Kitay productions in Hollywood.

Photogs say she was at the studio from 9pm until 10:30 at night, auditioning dancers presumably for a music video for her next single!

But as excited as we are for a new Britney album, is this really what she wants or needs right now? According to the Post, she'd rather concentrate on her acting career, but Jive records and manager Larry Rudolph are forcing her to spend "the summer in the studio, working on a brand-new album"!

Source: X17

Confirmed: Britney Spears working on new album

The following italicized article is from www.hollywoodinsider.ew.com:

Britney Spears is attempting yet another comeback: Reps have confirmed that she is at work on the follow-up to 2007’s Blackout.

A statement from Jive Records and Spears' manager Larry Rudolph says that “Britney Spears is spending her summer in the recording studio, working with a team of top-notch producers and songwriters.

We’re very excited about what she’s accomplished so far.” So is Sean Garrett, who happens to be one of those producers. “We’re trying to take her stuff to the next level,” he tells EW.com. “I’m going to come up with something crazy for her.”

Spears has sold 83 million albums worldwide in her career, but Blackout only went platinum in the U.S., likely due to declining CD sales and her status as last year’s most permanent tabloid fixture. But Garrett — who’s also worked with Usher, Beyoncé, and Chris Brown — welcomes the challenge. “I like to work on an artist when they count them out...and bring them back.”

Source: Entertainment Weekly

A Little Rain Can Stop Brit's BBQ But Not Her Big Comeback

The following italicized article is from www.popsugar.com:

After spending the weekend out in the public eye with the likes of Michael Jackson, Britney Spears got back to work on keeping that bikini body in business with a trip to the gym. Britney's been working on a new streak of good clean fun, and yesterday she even tried to host a Memorial Day celebration for her family and her boys.

Unfortunately her big plans were ruined by a few rain showers and cold weather. Sad, but apparently Britney has big plans in store that go far beyond backyard BBQs.

Comeback rumors have been swirling, with details including a Vegas-style show followed by a small tour at the end of the year. While it's still too soon to tell how much truth there is to this news, it's something to look forward to.

Source: Pop Sugar

Britney Hangs With Her Boys

The following italicized article is from www.eonline.com:

Following her second successful stint on How I Met Your Mother comes further signs that Britney Spears is working on a comeback.

Last night, Brit was on hand for the finale of MTV's Rock the Cradle, which her on/off manager Larry Rudolph produces. (The pop star stayed backstage during the taping and didn't take any photos.)

Later, she headed over to Sur in Beverly Hills, where she had dinner with another power player: George Maloof, who owns the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Since it seems like he's willing to overlook her disastrous VMAs performance there last year, maybe a Sin City show wouldn't be such a bad idea for Brit?

Finally, Britney will get to spend time with her other boys, Sean Preston and Jayden James, on Sunday. She's reportedly been given permission to spend all of Mother's Day with her sons.

Source: E! Online

Gym-goers nearly get an eyeful from Britney Spears dressed in just a towel

The following italicized article is from www.dailymail.co.uk:

Britney Spears gives onlookers a shock as she wanders into a hotel gym in nothing but a towel.

Thankfully, the Gimme More singer wasn't having another chaotic episode - she was just relaxing after a gruelling workout at a hotel spa in in Marina del Rey in California.

Britney, 26, spent a morning on the treadmill as she gets back in shape after a tough year that saw her separated from her sons and held in a psychiatric ward

But it appears the star's judgement may still be somewhat askew, as after her shower in the spa at a hotel, she wandered out to the gym in just a towel, giving gym-goers an eyeful as she helped herself to some cold water.

Later, she emerged fully-clothed from the changing rooms in a strapless black dress and brown cowboy boots clutching a bottle of water and her mobile phone.

Earlier she had been at a gym in Culver City, Los Angeles, as reports today suggested she is now spending six hours a day working out.

Only the day before, the star was spotted working up a sweat on the cardio machines at Bally's Fitness Centre in Studio City, Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old star is currently working on regaining her famous figure amid talk of a highly-anticipated comeback.

Sources say the troubled singer has already started recording again and after being reunited with ex-manager Larry Rudolph, and that she has realised it's time to regain her figure.

The new fitness-mad Britney has swapped chaotic nights out for quiet evenings in as she tries to regain full custody of her boys.

Earlier this week the singer revealed her bikini body on a Malibu beach, and showed that she is well on her way to regaining her past glory.

Spears, who has supposedly dropped twenty pounds in thirty days, decided to unveiled her body as she spent an afternoon relaxing with a friend in the sunshine.

Sporting a tight yellow bikini, the Toxic singer sunbathed, read magazines and at one point even paddled her feet in the water before covering up and heading off home.

Source: Daily Mail

EXCLUSIVE: Britney Spears Increases Security and Secrecy

Hollywood.TV's cameras were wondering if we were Toxic when we got to follow Britney Spears for the day in this exclusive footage.

Britney is now well into her Larry Rudolph regime and we get what's becoming the norm. They may keep denying a comeback but Britney's at the studio then on to the gym. And boy is the security beefing up. There's no more cameras than before but the security is coming in at darn near one for one. It ain't pretty.

Britney's working that body of hers and the security want to keep us right away. So what's up? Holding up a tarpaulin to stop us seeing Britney leaving her car? Our first thought was a new hairstyle. Maybe she's had something special done. We're not saying bald again, but maybe bangs or streaks or something. Maybe it was a new look?

We catch Britney again later and the hair is Britney hair. No change that we can see.

But, hold it! That black dress looks kind of familiar. Didn't she step out of the car wearing this the other day? And she has a little helper just tweak it at the back. Like something you'd do to keep a towel on. Was the sheet being held up for a wardrobe malfunction? Or does the little black dress hide a littler stage costume? Yes, we're clutching at straws here, but it makes you think.

Even if Britney isn't heading for a comeback we hope the time in the studio and gym is bringing back some of her old love for performing. Little reminders of how good it can be. Come on Brit. You have a world full of fans out there!

Source: Hollywood.tv

Larry Rudolph Orders Britney Spears Diet

The following italicized article is from www.popcrunch.com:

Hollywood manager Larry Rudolph has ordered one-time teen protege Britney Spears to drop twenty pounds and regain her once stunning looks. Larry has insisted that Britney begin a wellness regime including a daily regime of exercise before he will help her resume her career.

Larry feels that Britney needs to lose twenty pounds and tone up, The National Enquirer reports.

“Larry doesn’t want her to be a joke when he restarts her career-and he wants her to look sexier than ever.”

As part of her deal with Larry, Britney has adopted a diet of six small organic meals a day, regular facials, and of course her well-documented weekly trips to Bally’s.

“Larry told her this is her last chance at a comeback-and if she wants it, she must fight for it,” an Enquirer insider says.

The pop tart is even working out with a personal trainer-three times a day, five days a week.

“Britney is complying so far.”

Source: Pop Crunch