Britney Spears

Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American pop singer. Her career encompasses chart-topping records, high-profile advertising and a foray into acting. She is now considered an American cultural icon recognized throughout the world, but has also been the subject of controversy surrounding the sexuality of her music and image.

Biography

Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears first came to fame as a member of the Disney Channel's New Mickey Mouse Club in the 1993 and 1994 seasons.

Her castmates on the show included Justin Timberlake and Joshua Chasez (who later became members of the pop band NSYNC), Keri Russell (star of the TV show Felicity), Christina Aguilera, also a pop singer, and actor Ryan Gosling. Spears dated Timberlake for about five years.


...Baby One More Time

Her first album on Jive Records, ...Baby One More Time, debuted in the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Charts in early 1999, and also topped the charts in the UK. The single of the same name was also a number one hit in many countries, and was accompanied by a music video in which Spears wore a schoolgirl outfit and danced down a high-school corridor.

Spears broke the record for the youngest artist, at age 17, to have their first single debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. (This record was broken in 2004 by 13-year-old JoJo, whose single "Leave (Get Out)" debuted at #1.) Spears also broke the record for the youngest artist, at age 17, to have their first single and first album debut simultaneously at #1 on the Billboard charts. Spears still holds this record. The album "...Baby One More Time" is to date the greatest-selling album by a teenager.

In 2000, Spears was nominated for two Grammy awards: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the single "...Baby One More Time", and Best New Artist. She did not receive either award.