Life 

Britney Spears is one of the biggest sensations to hit the world of pop, topping the charts in the UK and the US with hits like Born to Make You Happy. The 20-year-old first dazzled us in 1999 when her single and album Baby, One More Time, shot to number one in the US and the UK.

How did she start off?
Much of her success is down to her determination to get to the top. She started singing and dancing in local dance shows and church choirs as a youngster. At the age of eight she auditioned for Disney's The Mickey Mouse Club. She was too young to join the show, but a producer spotted her talent and introduced her to a New York agent. She then spent three summers at the Professional Performing Arts School Center and was in a few off-Broadway productions, including Ruthless (1991). She tried out again for the Mickey Mouse Club and was successful this time, appearing on the show from the age of 11 to 13.

When was her big break?
She began auditioning for pop bands and caught the eye of Jive Records' Jeff Fenster. He teamed her up with producer and writer for Boyzone, Eric Foster White, and R&B writer Max Martin who was responsible for Backstreet Boys. Together they came up with her hit Baby, One More Time in 1998. After touring schools and setting up phone lines for fans to listen to her tracks, Britney eventually joined 'N Sync on tour.

What are her best known songs?
Her style of pop is ever-changing as she gets older and wiser. You might have heard of some of these top Britney tunes:

• Baby One More Time

• Crazy

• Sometimes

• From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart

• Born To Make You Happy

• Oops! I Did It Again

• Stronger

• Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know

• Lucky " I'm A Slave 4 U

• I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman

• Toxic

• Everytime

I want to talk to her!!
Britney has an official fan club as well as lots of unofficial ones. Go to the official Britney site to find out how to join her club. You can also chat more about Britney with other die-hard fans on our music message board.

What else is she famous for?
Well, Britney likes to keep herself in the news. Apart from her musical talent, she's known for a few other things too! Here are just some of them:

• Dating 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake

• Being left speechless after meeting her idol Madonna!

• Appearing in a new style DVD which allows you to see her from all angles!

• Backing anti-fur campaigns

• Attracting controversy in a stage show with a live snake!

• Having a crush on Prince William!

• Supporting Manchester United!

• Writing a novel with her mother called A Mother's Gift

• Getting married! In January 2004, she wed childhood pal Jason Alexander, but the marriage was over 55 hours later. The following September, she got spliced to dancer Kevin Federline.
   List goes on…