Happy 40th, Britney Spears!

By JC Villamere. 2 Dec 2021 1:49 PM

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.

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Star Found
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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
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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
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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
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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'
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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
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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'
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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
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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'
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Britney seemed cheerful and happy to chat as she helped James Corden navigate traffic in 2016.
Fairy Tales in Hollywood
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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
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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.

Happy 40th, Britney Spears!

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