Britney Spears - Pop Icon and Media Magnet

Britney Jean Spears, born December 2^nd, 1981 (in Kentwood, Louisiana) has been one of the most searched names on the internet, for several years running, due largely in part to the constant turns her life has gone through.

Spears began her career early on, with a televised appearance on Star Search, and later two seasons on The New Mickey Mouse Club at age eleven. Spears was turned down for Disney's show at the first audition due to her age, but after three years of studying at the Professional Performing Arts School. She also appeared in several commercials, and off-Broadway plays.

Spears made it big when she was just seventeen years old with her music, 'Hit Me Baby One More Time,' and she stayed on top with 'Opps... I did it again.' Spears became a true idol, and a controversial icon.

Spears was criticized, and made controversial for bouncing between selling a 'sexy' image, to a 'good girl' image, and many people felt she wasn't a suitable role model for young girls. To counter this, Spears often preached about abstinence (waiting to have sex until you're married), but when her image became more based in sex appeal, the message was often lost.

Spears kept the hits and media attention rolling with songs like 'Lucky,' and her latter confirmed relationship with Justin Timberlake, also a popular singer.

Britney's relationship with the media has always had a life of it's own, with harsh media attention at all times. Spears is literally crushed with times under the swarm of press crowding around to get the latest picture or story. Magazines drooled over her, radio, interviews, pictures; her private life is virtually non existent. Which is what has prompted the mass media cover of Spears more recent events.

The media frenzy climbed with a two day marriage to a child hood friend, and later to back up dance Kevin Federline (the ceremony was September 18, 2004 but the wedding wasn't filed until October 7^th, after Spears had already filed for divorce).

Spears and Federline had two sons together Sean Preston Federline, born September 14^th, 2005 and Jayden James Federline, born September 12^th, 2006. Recently, October 1^st, 2007, Spears was ordered to surrender custody of the children to ex husband Kevin Federline, after she failed to meet standards set by the judge for Spears.

Spears has been harshly criticized in the media for failing to meet those standards, and others. Spears was seen texting and driving, she has backed over someone's foot, and some time ago, she was thrown to the wolves when media snapped a picture of Spears with her baby in her lap, instead of a car seat.

Earlier in 2007, Spears went to a treatment center after several events, including the hair cutting episode made famous by the media.

It doesn't matter if you admire Britney, or dislike her, she is a corner stone of the pop movement of her time, and has been made not only a sacrifice for the press, but a true American icon.