Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American singer and entertainer. Born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Britney Spears first appeared on national television in 1992 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel’s television series The New Mickey Mouse Club from 1993 to 1994. In 1997, Britney Spears signed a recording contract with Jive, releasing her debut album …Baby One More Time in 1999.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 , and established her as a pop icon and “bona fide pop phenomenon”, credited for influencing the revival of teen pop in the late 1990s. Britney Spears's next three albums also debuted at number one. After two compliation albums, Britney Spears released Blackout, Britney Spears's only studio album which did not debut at number one. In December 2008, Britney Spears's sixth studio album, Circus, was released.
According to Zomba Label Group and Sony BMG, Britney Spears has sold over 83 million records worldwide. In addition, Britney Spears is ranked as the eighth best-selling female recording artist in the U.S. with 32 million copies of her albums certified by the RIAA, and is currently the fifth best selling artist act of the decade in the country, as well as the top selling female artist. Britney Spears is also ranked by Forbes 2009 issue as the 13th most powerful celebrity and the 2nd most top-earning young musician with over $35 million dollars in earnings this year.
