See Britney Spears’ Most Memorable Moments As She Turns 41

By JC Villamere. 2 Dec 2022 11:33 AM

It’s Britney, bi– um, birthday! It’s Britney’s birthday! And it’s a big one for a teen sweetheart-turned-international superstar. Here, we look back at some of this strong survivor’s most memorable moments and a tumultuous 2022 that saw her exercise her freedom after the end of her controversial conservatorship, get married for the third time, release a duet with Elton John and announce a new Broadway musical.

Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Buena Vista Television/ Courtesy: Everett Collection

Brenda Chase/Online USA, Inc. via Getty

Kevin Kane/WireImage

KMazur/WireImage via Getty

Scott Gries/Getty Images

Jo Hale/Getty Images

John Shearer/WireImage

CBS via Getty Images

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty

Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images

Photo: Kevin Ostajewski/Shutterstock

Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for EJAF

Photo by Kevin Mazur/BCU18/Getty Images for BCU

START OVER

Next Gallery: Star Spotting: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly & The Cast Of ‘Ant-Man’ Hit The Red Carpet

More Galleries

1 of 14

Star Found
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
As you’ve seen in “Framing Britney Spears”, a 10-year-old Britney was a contestant on two episodes of the pre-“American Idol” TV talent competition “Star Search” in 1992. She found her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 17, 2003.
That's One Exclusive Club
Buena Vista Television/ Courtesy: Everett Collection
Ahh, let yourself indulge in the sweet, sweet nostalgia of Spears' turn as a Mouseketeer alongside fellow up-and-comers Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, and Christina Aguilera. She starred in the series for two seasons, starting when she was 12 in 1993.
Choice Teen
Brenda Chase/Online USA, Inc. via Getty
Here’s Britney on the red carpet on August 1, 1999. She’s heading into the Teen Choice Awards because she’s a choice teen. While inside, she picked up the award for Single of the Year for "Baby One More Time”.
The Master
Kevin Kane/WireImage
Her iconic 2001 VMA performance of "I'm A Slave 4 U" was over the top — even before she dawned this albino Burmese python.
'Walk This Way'
KMazur/WireImage via Getty
Spears held her own during a 2001 Super Bowl Halftime Show swamped with stars, including her then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake's group 'N Sync, plus Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige and Nelly.
A Kiss Is Just A Kiss
Scott Gries/Getty Images
There were kisses at the end but before that? A performance! Britney, Madonna, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott knocked out a stunning performance of "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood" at the 2003 VMAs.
'In The Zone'
Jo Hale/Getty Images
Here's Britney at the height of her powers, a seemingly confident and relaxed performer on the first night of her 2004 “UK Onyx Hotel” tour at Wembley Arena. She’d hit the road for the first time in four years to promote her 2003 record ‘In The Zone’.
The Way We Were
John Shearer/WireImage
We wish our career's lowest point looked even half as good as this. In fact, we wish our career’s highest point looked half as good as this. Spears' highly hyped comeback performance, which opened the 2007 VMAs, notoriously failed to live up to expectations. Shame on us and our fussy expectations.
'Carpool Karaoke'
CBS via Getty Images
Britney seemed cheerful and happy to chat as she helped James Corden navigate traffic in 2016.
Fairy Tales in Hollywood
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty
Britney and her boyfriend Sam Asghari attended the premiere of "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" on July 22, 2019, in Hollywood. The couple announced their engagement in September, after more than four years of dating.
#FreeBritney
Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images
Protesters put messages for Britney on a pink Christmas tree at the #FreeBritney Termination Rally at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on November 12. That day, her highly publicized court-ordered conservatorship was finally terminated. Four days later, Spears took to Instagram to thank her fans. "The #FreeBritney movement -- you guys rock," Spears said. "Honestly, my voice was muted and threatened for so long, and I wasn't able to speak up or say anything... I honestly think you guys saved my life, in a way. 100 per cent." Have a beautiful birthday, Britney! You deserve it.
A Fairytale Wedding
Photo: Kevin Ostajewski/Shutterstock
In June 2022, Spears and longtime beau Sam Asghari tied the knot. “We really wanted to make this a small and beautiful moment with family and friends,” Spears told Vogue of the nuptials.

Among the celebs in attendance were Madonna, Selena Gomez, Donatella Versace, Paris Hilton and Drew Barrymore, with the reception highlighted by a group singalong on Madonna's "Like a Virgin" — with Madonna herself!
Back On The Charts With Sir Elton
Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for EJAF
In August 2022, Spears released her first new music in a decade, a duet with Elton John titled "Hold Me Closer".

A reworked and reimagined take on his iconic hit "Tiny Dancer", "Hold Me Closer" debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Spears her highest entry on the chart since “Scream and Shout”, her 2012 collaboration with will.i.am, a full 10 years earlier.
Britney On Broadway
Photo by Kevin Mazur/BCU18/Getty Images for BCU
What's next for Britney Spears? How about a new jukebox musical titled "Once Upon A One More Time", which will begin previews in May 2023 before officially opening on Broadway on June 22, 2023.

Featuring such Spears hits as “Oops I Did It Again”, “Circus” and “Toxic", the new musical imagines what would happen to classic fairytale princesses such as Cinderella, Snow White, the Little Mermaid and others if a rogue fairy godmother gifts them a copy of Betty Friedan's feminist classic "The Feminine Mystique" and prompts a feminist reawakening in all of them.

See Britney Spears’ Most Memorable Moments As She Turns 41

More Galleries

Latest Galleries