Happy Birthday to the one and only Britney Spears!
On the eve of Britney Jean, Spears is celebrating her 32nd birthday, and while we here at MTV News are still a bit perplexed as to why December 2 isn’t a national holiday, that won’t stop us from celebrating.
So grab your party hats, cue up “Toxic,” and take a look at the 32 reasons why we love Britney Spears.
1. The Girl Can Dance
You can’t deny that the girl can dance: Just look at the choreography in “I’m a Slave 4 U,” “Stronger,” “Me Against The Music,” “(You Drive Me) Crazy” and just about every other Britney video ever.
2. Her Iconic Music Videos
Her videos are not only iconic, but they are sexy, (“Work Bitch,”) unforgettable, (“Oops…I Did It Again,”) and downright amazing (“Toxic,”). Just take another look, you’ll understand.
3. She’s Country, Y’all
Britney may reside in Los Angeles, but she came from country roots. Britney grew up in Kentwood, Louisiana (watch our hometown visit with her from 1998!) and it was there that her friends and family gave started calling her, Britney Jean.
4. One of Her First Friends was a Mouse
Sure, she may have gotten her start on “Star Search” (wonder what Marty Thomas is up to these days?), but her real break came when she joined the Mickey Mouse Club 20 years ago alongside Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling and her former flame, Justin Timberlake.
5. She Can Rock Denim
Speaking of Justin Timberlake, the two were pop royalty when they dated from 1999 to 2002, and sure they had a lot of adorable moments, but it was their matchy-matchy denim ensemble they sported to the 2001 American Music Awards that will forever be burned in our brains.
6. Hit Me Baby…
The 1998 video for “…Baby One More Time” catapulted Spears to pop superstardom. And it had almost everything to do with the school girl uniform she wore in it. It was innocent but with enough of a twist (her toned abs were on display) that she immediately became pop’s newest bad girl.
7. She Owned ‘TRL’
Britney and her videos were a constant staple on MTV’s “Total Request Live” throughout the show’s 10-year run. Not only did she have 13 videos retired and three retired at #1, but her video “…Baby One More Time,” was the last video ever played on “TRL,” making it the most iconic video of all time.
8. ‘Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman’
Britney starred in the classic — yes, classic — “Crossroads,” a film that follows three girls on a road trip, who, after lots of singing and dancing, come to the realization that they are “not a girl, not yet a woman.” It also featured some serious star power— Zoe Saldana, Kim Cattrall, Taryn Manning, Justin Long, Dan Aykroyd and the super hottie, Ben, I mean Anson Mount — seriously, Shonda Rhimes, we need a sequel!
9. She Danced on Mars
Lady Gaga may think she’s the first singer to perform in space, but that honor goes to Britney Spears…kind of. The concept for her video “Oops…I Did It Again,” which was Britney’s idea, had the singer covered head-to-toe in a red latex jumpsuit as she danced her way all over Mars, complete with fire, an astronaut and that unforgettable “Titanic” breakdown.
10. Her Relatable Lyrics
Yes, Britney has tons of smash singles, but it’s those deeper cuts on her album that really tug on the heartstrings. Remember “Email My Heart”? Or “Dear Diary”? I do.
11. She Sexed Up the Super Bowl
It was a jam-packed Super Bowl halftime show in 2001, with Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, Nelly and NSYNC, but it was Britney’s that became one of the most memorable performances. Also, can we pause for a moment to reflect on how adorable Britney and Justin were onstage together? OK, let’s move on.
12. Her VMA Strip-Down
Many viewers had to pick their jaws off the floor during the 2000 VMAs, when Britney ripped off her tux and unveiled a nude sequined ensemble, as she broke into “Oops! … I Did It Again.”
13. She Danced With A Python
One year after her memorable strip-down, Britney returned to the VMAs to perform “I’m a Slave 4 U.” Sure, she appeared onstage in a cage with a lion and danced her ass off, but it was the moment that a live python was draped over her shoulders that she became solidified in the history books of the VMAs. There’s no way she can top that, right? WRONG.
14. The Kiss
Of course, the only thing that could top dancing with a snake, is a kiss with Madonna. Hitting the stage with Christina Aguilera, the two paid homage to Madge, rolling around in wedding dresses, and locking lips that not only raised Justin Timberlake’s eyebrows, but everyone at homes as well. Bravo, Britney!
15. She Made Up Her Own Award
The 2002 VMAs were held on Michael Jackson’s birthday, and to celebrate ,Britney came out in a full dominatrix outfit and presented Jackson with a cake, calling him the “artist of the millennium.” Jackson misunderstood the statement and thought he was receiving the Artist of the Millennium award and gave an acceptance speech.
16. She’s A Video Vanguard
While it wasn’t the Artist of the Millennium Award, Britney did take home the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2011 VMAs and got a kiss from Lady Gaga’s alter ego, Jo Calderone!
17. She Can Rock A Catsuit
There’s virtually no pop star on the face on the planet who can wear any form of the body suit quite like Brit. (Sorry, Gaga.) Between her diamond-encrusted one in the “Toxic” video to that infamous red catsuit in the “Oops!… I Did It Again” visual, her one-piece ensembles are ingrained in pop culture history.
18. She Gave Us Midriff-Baring Tops
Classic. Britney. Crop tops, crop tops and more crop tops.
19. She’s A Turtleneck Aficionado
Just Google Britney Spears turtlenecks. You will see pages and pages and pages of search results featuring Spears in the warm-weather top. But, always the trend-setter, Spears also sports ones with short sleeves. It’s the perfect way to stay cool and warm at the same time.
20. She’s Just Like Us! Loves Vanilla Candles, Starbucks and Cheetos
She may have a slew of #1 singles and millions of albums sold, but at the end of the day, Britney is just like every other girl and loves the little things in life. She’s made it no secret she loves her some vanilla candles, is often seen with a Starbucks frap and isn’t one to turn down a cheesy bag of Cheetos… and neither would we!
21. She’s One Sexy Mom
Even though Britney’s admitted it’s hard to play ,”we have to say she’s doing a really good job. Britney is often seen cheering on her boys, Sean Preston and Jayden James at their soccer games, and even has them following in her footsteps, appearing her music video for
22. She’s A Great Big Sis
With Jamie Lynn making a comeback after ending “Zoey 101” and taking time off for 5-year-old daughter Maddie, the second Spears just put out her new single “How Could I Want More” and Brit is in complete support. Britney Jean will also feature JL on a track called “Chillin’ With You.”
23. Her Fans Call Her Godney
Britney’s fans are kind of crazy… and we love it. They take “idol” to its truest form, deifying the pop star to the highest. Example? We found this on the Internet.
24. Godney Loves Her Army
Britney is well aware of her fans unwavering support, which is why she recently penned a handwritten note thanking her Britney Army for sticking by her for the past 15 years.
25. She Smells Reeeeally Good
13. Yep, 13 is the number of fragrances with Spears’ name on them. “Curious” started it all, then “Fantasy” then “Curious: In Control” and from there, we got a whole kingdom of perfumes riffing off each other. Remember “Circus Fantasy” in 2009? Or how about “Fantasy Twist”? Along with the new spritz, Brit always gave us cinematic commercials. And Britney Jean‘s new “Perfume” track solidifies it further: she likes to smell good.
26. She’s A Cover Girl
What makes Britney the ultimate cover girl? She can do fierce and glam. She got parents everywhere nervous when she went full Lolita on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1999, and then put her own mommy status on full display, appearing nude with her baby bump, on Harper’s Bazaar in 2006. It was a moment that even had Demi Moore relinquishing her throne.
27. She’s Besties With Miley
Not everyone can say they are friends with Britney, but if you’re Miley Cyrus you can. The two pop megastars collaborated on Cyrus’ Bangerz track, “SMS” and shared a heart-to-heart during Miley’s MTV doc, where they discussed video plans and Miley’s concept behind her unforgettable VMA performance.
28. Pop Stars Crush on Britney
Miley isn’t the only one that hearts Britney. Some of today’s most-talked about pop stars can’t help but gush over the pop diva as well, including Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez, who channeled her idol at this years MTV Movie Awards.
29. Her Facial Expressions
Britney may have been brief with her criticism during her one season stint as an “X Factor” mentor, but more than made up for it with her facial expressions, which were often hilarious, confusing, memorable, and always perfect.
30. She Inspired Brittnay S. Pierce
“Glee” favorite Heather Morris’ character was named after the pop diva, but it wasn’t until the second season that her full name, Brittany S. Pierce, was uncovered. The show’s love for Brit Brit spanned two episodes, both dedicated to her fabulousness, including covers of “Me Against the Music” and “Toxic.’
31. She’s Actually Really Shy, But Will Whip You Into Shape If Needed
Onscreen, she comes off as a fierce dominatrix (see: “Toxic” or “Work Bitch”), but in person, she’s anything but. Britney’s admitted to being really shy, even telling Vegas Player recently “I don’t like the attention, but it’s something that comes with success. I’ve accepted the paparazzi are going to be there; I just try to wear the same thing every day so I become uninteresting.”
32. What Happens In Vegas
Brit is a Sin City Queen. She not only will kick off a two-year residency at Planet Hollywood on December 27, but she’s always had a connection with the city. Who could forget she proudly declared herself a Femme Fatale at the Palms during her memorable 2011 MTV special?
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