2001–2003: Career development
Spears released her third studio album Britney in November 2001. Although not as successful as her previous albums, she assumed some creative control by co-writing five of the album's tracks. It surpassed Michael Jackson's album Invincible when it had a successful debut at number one in the U.S. by selling 745,744 units during its first week. The album's success made her one of the few female artists to have their first three albums debut at number one. The album fared well with critics such as All Music Guide who gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, describing the album's title tracks as being "pivotal moments on Britney Spears's third album, the record where she strives to deepen her persona, making it more adult while still recognizably Britney." In contrast, Rolling Stone said of the album Britney "belabors the obvious: Spears is one month away from entering her twenties and clearly needs to grow up if she's going to bring her fans along."
The singles did not perform as well; Britney's lead single "I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it the album's biggest hit. To help promote the album, Spears embarked on the "Dream Within a Dream Tour" in November 2001. The tour was forced to cut short in Mexico City due to bad weather. With the end to her tour, Spears announced she would take a six month break from her career.
Spears made her third consecutive MTV Video Music Awards performance. While performing "I'm a Slave 4 U", she controversially utilized caged animals and danced erotically with a large albino python draped over her shoulders. Animal-rights organization PETA claimed that the animals featured in the performance were mistreated and cancelled plans for an anti-fur billboard that was to feature Spears. Her career success was highlighted by Forbes Magazine in 2002 as Spears was ranked the world's most powerful celebrity. At a performance at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, she appeared with Christina Aguilera performing the song "Like a Virgin", and was later joined by Madonna. Spears locked lips with Madonna in a highly-publicized kiss.
In November 2003, Spears released her fourth studio album, In the Zone, jettisoning the Max Martin-produced synthpop of her earlier releases. The album took in lesser-known producers such as RedZone and big names including Moby and R. Kelly. Spears co-wrote eight of the album's thirteen songs and co-produced several pieces of her material for the first time. In the Zone reached number one in the U.S. charts during its debut week, selling over 609,000 copies. This made Spears the only female in music history to have her first four studio albums to debut at number one. The album had a mild reception from critics. Stylus Magazine gave the album a D and even blamed Spears's career choices by stating, "Ultimately, In the Zone suffers greatly from Britney's uneasy transition from teen tart to sexually powerful woman. Had Britney been in charge of her career direction instead of mercilessly prostituted by her management, she might have been able to produce something with some semblance of musical vision." The Guardian praised the album's melodies and her effort, giving it 4 out of 5 stars and writing, "Unlike previous Britney albums, In the Zone has no filler and no shoddy cover versions, just 57 varieties of blue-chip hit-factory pop. There is southern hip-hop, deep house, Neptunes-style R&B, the ubiquitous Diwali beat and, most importantly, oodles of Madonna."
The album spawned the hit single "Toxic", winning Spears her first ever Grammy in the category of Best Dance Recording. "The Onyx Hotel Tour" began in March 2004 to promote the album. The tour's choreography generated much controversy and criticism, with the presence of young children in the audience.
2004–2005: Greatest hits and remix album
See also: Greatest Hits: My Prerogative and B In The Mix: The Remixes
After her marriage to Kevin Federline, Spears announced on her website she was taking another career break in order to start a family. November 2004 saw the release of her first greatest hits collection, Greatest Hits: My Prerogative. The album featured her version of Bobby Brown's 1988 hit "My Prerogative". The compilation did not include "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart".
In November 2005, Spears released her first remix album, B In The Mix: The Remixes. The album ranged from "…Baby One More Time" to "Toxic". Her newest single "Someday (I Will Understand)" was also remixed. Another single, "And Then We Kiss", was only released in Asia, where it charted in many countries. The song peaked at number 15 on Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart, despite it not being officially released in the U.S.
2007–2008: Return to music
In May 2007, Spears produced a mini-tour for the House of Blues under the name "The M+M's", with 6 shows altogether, although she did not sing live. She recorded her latest album with producers such as Sean Garrett, J. R. Rotem and Nate "Danja" Hills throughout 2006 and 2007.
The release of Spears's fifth album, Blackout, was rescheduled to 30 October 2007 rather than November 2007 due to online leaks. Blackout debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts. It was fairly well received by critics. Rolling Stone gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars, stating that "Blackout is the first time in her career that she's voiced any real thoughts about her life. The old provocation game is still afoot, but Britney's stubbornly holding on to her freakness — it's the only form of rebellion she's got left." All Music Guide also rated the album 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling Blackout "coherent and entertaining" and stating that "it holds together better than any of her other records."
Blackout's first single, "Gimme More" debuted worldwide on August 30. The song, which was Spears's first produced by Danja, peaked at number three on Billboard's Hot 100 on October 3, making it her most successful single in the U.S. since her debut, "…Baby One More Time".
Spears's highly-anticipated performance of "Gimme More" at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards was panned as a disappointing attempt at a comeback. The BBC stated that "her performance would go down in the history books as being one of the worst to grace the MTV Awards", and The Times noted that "Spears was out of synch as she lip-synched and at times just stopped singing altogether." Despite the criticism on her performance, the single has achieved success worldwide.
Film and television
Spears entered New York City's Professional Performing Arts School when she was 8. She was an understudy in the 1991 play Ruthless! and appeared in several other off-Broadway productions. At age 11, she joined the cast of The New Mickey Mouse Club until the show ended in 1993.
Spears had her first starring role in the 2002 film Crossroads, in which she portrayed a high school graduate who travels to find her long-lost mother. The movie was poorly received, as was Spears' performance; Spears received Razzie Awards for Worst Actress and for Worst Original Song. Nonetheless, the film grossed over $60 million worldwide. Spears also made cameo appearances in Austin Powers in Goldmember and Longshot. Footage of Spears appeared in the 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, which samples a 2003 CNN interview about the Iraq War in which Spears says, "Honestly, I think we should just trust our president in every decision he makes and should just support that, you know, and be faithful in what happens."
In late 1999, Spears appeared on the sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and performed the song "(You Drive Me) Crazy"; this cameo was a cross-promotion for the film Drive Me Crazy, which starred Sabrina's Melissa Joan Hart and was named after the song. She later appeared on Saturday Night Live as host and musical guest during 2000, 2002 and 2003. In 2006, Spears guest-starred on the Will & Grace episode "Buy, Buy Baby". Her portrayal of a closeted lesbian drew criticism from conservative Christian groups.
Spears is set to appear on an March 24 episode of CBS's television show How I Met Your Mother playing a receptionist.
Products and endorsement
In early 2001, Spears signed a multi-million dollar promotional deal with Pepsi that included television commercials, point-of-purchase promotions, and Internet ties between Spears and the company. She has published four books, including A Mother's Gift, and released seven DVDs, including her self-produced 2005 reality series Britney & Kevin: Chaotic. Other Spears products include a doll and a video game. She participated in seven tours including "The Onyx Hotel Tour" in 2004. She has grossed over US$150 million from tour ticket sales and over $45 million in merchandise from her tours.
Spears endorsed her first Elizabeth Arden fragrance "Curious" in 2004. The perfume netted more than $100 million in one year of sales, making it the best selling perfume of 2004. In September 2005, Spears released the fragrance "Fantasy" with Elizabeth Arden, which also saw great success. These were followed by the release of two more fragrances of "In Control" and "Midnight Fantasy" in 2006. Her latest Elizabeth Arden fragrance "Believe", was released in September 2007. Overral, her fragrances have reportedly sold more than 450 million bottles worldwide.
