With talks of the upcoming Britney Spears biopic coming soon, everyone wants to know who will play Britney, when it will be released and how will it turn out. I have mixed feelings.
Britney’s story is precious, and it should be treated as such. I also have other hopes for the biopic, such as I want an unknown actress to play her, and that of course, Britney should have total say, but that’s not the purpose of this article.
If we’re going to have a story about Britney, we must understand her story and the woman that she is. We owe her that.
“Lucky?”
“I don’t like defining myself. I just am.” This is a quote by Britney Spears that we all can apply to our everyday lives. Britney Jean Spears, an icon, a legend, an inspiration to many, and the woman that we’ve all wanted to be.
We’ve all watched her iconic music videos, and her hypnotizing live performances and have sung her catchy and lively songs that overtook our Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music playlist. She stole our hearts with her wit, talent, and authentic personality; little did we know, everything was not as it seemed and Britney’s ready to tell her story.
“Born to Make You Happy?”
Britney Spears knew that she was born to entertain the masses from an early age. Her family knew that she was anything but ordinary. Her youth was spent in dance classes, singing lessons, and a short stint on Broadway in the musical, “Ruthless!”. Although she realized that a Broadway career was not for her, she wanted to sing and that’s exactly what she would do.
Her claim to fame began after competing on Star Search and would only grow more after she got her break on the, “Mickey Mouse Club” with fellow peers, Ryan Gosling, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake. Although the show was canceled, Britney’s luck was only beginning.
“I’ve Just Begun” (Having My Fun)
With talks of Britney joining the pop girl group Innosense, Britney was on top of the world in her music career. When this fell through, she sent in a tape of her singing a Whitney Houston song.
Soon, she met with four record labels in a day after she rehearsed an unused demo of a Toni Braxton song. Unfortunately, three of the labels rejected her when they claimed that she would just be another Madonna, Debbie Harry, or Tiffany, and they were seeking pop bands, instead.
However, her luck changed again after Jive Records asked to meet with her; they were charmed by her ability to deliver both emotional and commercial appeal. It was during this meeting that she began to develop her signature sound: distinctive, different, Britney. There, she flew to Stockholm, Sweden to record her iconic debut album.
“…… Baby One More Time…. Oops?”
Spears was an immediate success. Her debut album, “…..Baby One More Time” sold ten million copies, along with a successful mall tour, and debuting as an opening act for NSYNC for her concert tour. The iconic music video came to follow.
Britney soon found herself to be one of the most successful recording teenage artists when her album sold thirty million copies internationally, and two number-one singles. A tour and a second studio album, “Oops!…. I Did It Again” followed, which debuted as another number-one album and sold 1.3 million copies, breaking a record.
A world tour and two number-one singles followed. The same year, Britney received two Grammy nominations for, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Despite this setting the stage for her early “controversies”, Britney continued being on top of the world, announcing her relationship with Justin Timberlake, two books, hosting the American Music Awards, performing at the Super Bowl halftime show, a promo deal with Pepsi, a third studio album (with another top-ten hit and two more Grammy nominations) and her first role in a film, Crossroads. Britney had at it all. Would it all come down?
“What It’s Like to Be Me”
After three years together, Britney and Justin ended their relationship. Justin depicted their “troubled” ending in his song, “Cry Me a River” which depicted Britney as the villain. In response, Britney wrote the ballad, “Everytime”.
Despite this setback, she produced four hit singles, won her first Grammy for, “Best Dance Recording” for “Everytime”, and “Outrageous” and embarked on another tour. However, it seemed that the world was against Britney when her marriage was annulled and her tour was canceled due to a knee injury.
Fortunately, she bounced back with a new perfume and a cover of Bobby Brown’s hit, “My Prerogative” and married her backup dancer, Kevin Federline. Things seemed to be looking up for her, but not for long.
“Blur”
The world was against her. Paparazzi followed her every move, and rumors spread, claiming that she was an unfit mother for putting her son on her lap while driving. To make matters worse, her marriage crumbled and she divorced her husband.
However, she forged on with her two studio albums, “Blackout” and “Circus”, which produced hits, “Gimme More”, “Piece of Me”, “Break the Ice”, “Circus”, and “Womanizer”. Soon, she was forced to give up custody of her sons and her infamous conservatorship had just started.
Britney went on to release three more studio albums and performed a residency in Vegas. It seemed like Spears had everything, but she wasn’t in control. Spears was alone, failed by everyone. It seemed hopeless. However, justice for Britney would soon prevail!
“Stronger”
In 2021, Britney’s conservatorship would end. The ugly truth of those dark years would come out. We all had failed Britney. We chose to not listen to her because of our formed societal prejudices against women.
Luckily, Britney would welcome us back with open arms. Britney would soon reclaim her truth with her autobiography, “The Woman in Me”. With this, Britney reclaimed her power, her truth, and her name. She’s a testament to all women that we are all stronger. With Jon Chu directing her upcoming biopic, Britney can reclaim her voice. A voice that had been silenced for years. A voice that we can all look to for guidance.
“The Beat Goes On”
Britney Jean Spears. An icon. A woman that we can all look to for inspiration. For her strength. Her perseverance. Thank you. Your story will live on forever. I hope that your story on the big screen is one that you can look at without sadness. Without anger. Rather, one that you can say, “I did it”. That, you did. From one woman to another: thank you.