To celebrate CelebMix’s fifth anniversary, we have taken a closer look at some of our favourite celebrities, and the different aspects that we love about them.
For this article, we have decided to share with you our top five favourite performances by Britney Spears!
5. Hits Medley (Billboard Music Awards 2016)
Perhaps one of Britney’s notable performances in recent years was a rendition of some of her biggest hits at the Billboard Music Awards in 2016. Britney also received the prestigious Icon Award that night as a recognition of her success over the years.
Some of our highlights in the performance include the intro and Britney’s entrance on stage (which still gives us chills), her insane attitude and energy throughout “I Love Rock N Roll”, which consisted of her dancing and singing to the song on top of a giant guitar, the dance break in “Womanizer”, and Britney performing the original choreography of “I’m a Slave 4 U” from the song’s music video.
This will go down as one of Britney’s most iconic performances to emerge in the 2010’s – and also following her breakdown from 2007-2008. This performance proved to many – both fans and critics alike – that after all these years, Britney still has IT.
4. “Toxic” (ABC Special 2003)
In 2003, Britney performed a concert for a televised special broadcast on ABC to celebrate the release of her fourth studio album, “In the Zone”. It was during this concert that she gave one of her most memorable performances of “Toxic”.
Britney displayed some of her most intense and aggressive choreography alongside her dancers – proving that she was a natural born entertainer.
One of the highlights is halfway through the song during the breakdown, when Britney is blindfolded while surrounded by her dancers, before exploding into the final chorus. We’re also a massive fan of the outfit she wore throughout. Although she has done so many amazing performances for this particular track, if we had to pick just one, it would certainly be this.
3. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”/“Oops!.. I Did It Again” (MTV Video Music Awards 2000)
This performance was the start of a more mature, adult Britney Spears. Everything about it was so edgy, sexy and highly entertaining.
Britney notably began the performance at the top of a staircase, wearing a glittery black catsuit, before she takes it off to remove a nude-coloured costume. She showcases all she has to offer with some seriously hardcore choreography, with one of our favourite moments of the performance being the breakdown, with all eyes on Britney as she dances through a ring on stage.
The performance notably received some criticism because of Britney’s choice of revealing attire – but in our opinion, Britney was nearly 19 when this performance happened, and she was well on her way to growing up – and she was bringing her fans with her too. This performance helps to transition Britney from teen pop star to legendary performer – and we are in awe every single time we watch this.
2. “…Baby One More Time” (“Dream Within a Dream” Tour 2001-2002)
The encore performance to Britney’s “Dream Within a Dream” tour, which ran from 2001-2002, it just misses out on our top spot – but there’s no denying how POWERFUL this spectacle really is – particularly the performance from the Las Vegas special of the tour.
The reason why we love this performance so much is the direction, concept and the amazing special effects used throughout. The performance starts with a water pump, which poured almost two tonnes of water into the stage. A projection of Britney can also be seen in the water pump, and it shrinks as Britney then appears on stage, soaking wet. Britney was on absolute fire during this performance, and the outfit she wore (a $2 million Victoria’s Secret diamond-encrusted bra with jeans and a cowgirl hat) is one of her best tour costumes to date.
“…Baby One More Time” was also brought to life for this performance through an amazing remix – probably one of our favourite Britney remixes of all time. The song starts off as a ballad, but as the first chorus begins, the song transitions into an uptempo dance number influenced by techno.
1. “I’m a Slave 4 U” (MTV Video Music Awards 2001)
Our top pick for our favourite Britney Spears performance… and it has to be probably one of her most memorable to not just fans, but anyone who knows about Britney Spears. She shook the world when this happened. This performance was also notably the premiere for “I’m a Slave 4 U”, taking place before the single was released, so no one knew what the new single was going to sound like or what to expect.
On stage was a jungle-like setting, with Britney notably performing with a caged tiger behind her. If that wasn’t enough, just after she sings the second verse, she then begins to carry a PYTHON (!!) around her neck. It seems like such a daunting thing to do (although it didn’t come without controversy), especially when you’re performing on a stage in front of millions of people, but she did it – and it’s still talked about even today.
The performance uses the same choreography used in the song’s music video, but we absolutely LOVE IT. It’s one of her best and her moves were so raw throughout. The outfit she wore during this performance is also totally iconic, and has also been referenced so many times throughout the years.
Which is your favourite Britney Spears performance? Let us know over on Twitter @CelebMix!