Editing Britney Spears (section)

===2001–2002: ''Britney'' and ''Crossroads''===
[[File:Dream Within a Dream Tour (2002).jpg|thumb|220px|right|Spears performing "Oops!... I Did It Again" on the [[Dream Within a Dream Tour]] (2002).]]
In January 2001, Spears hosted the [[American Music Awards of 2001|28th Annual American Music Awards]], starred at [[Rock in Rio]] alongside NSYNC, and performed as a special guest in the [[Super Bowl XXXV halftime show]] headlined by [[Aerosmith]] and NSYNC.<ref>{{cite web |title=BRITNEY SPEARS TO HOST AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1434370/britney-spears-to-host-american-music-awards/ |publisher=MTV |access-date=January 19, 2022 |date=November 2, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209160334/https://www.mtv.com/news/1434370/britney-spears-to-host-american-music-awards/ |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows |url=https://ew.com/gallery/super-bowl-memorable-halftime-shows/?slide=421911#421911 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=December 1, 2020 |date=February 2, 2009 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417200247/https://ew.com/gallery/super-bowl-memorable-halftime-shows/?slide=421911#421911 |url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2001, she signed a $7–8 million promotional deal with [[Pepsi]], and released another book co-written with her mother, ''[[A Mother's Gift]]''.<ref name="foxnews" /> Her third studio album, ''[[Britney (album)|Britney]]'', was released in November 2001, with a funkier sound inspired by hip hop artists such as [[Jay-Z]] and [[the Neptunes]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1450334/britney-says-britney-reflects-who-britney-is/ |title=Britney Says Britney Reflects Who Britney Is |date=October 25, 2001 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |last=Moss |first=Corey |publisher=MTV News |archive-date=October 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006025323/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450334/20011024/spears_britney.jhtml |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Britney'' debuted at number one in the ''Billboard'' 200 and reached top five positions in Australia, the United Kingdom, and mainland Europe, and has sold 10 million copies worldwide.<ref name="ukchart" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Britney&cat=a |title=ultratop.be&nbsp;– Britney Spears&nbsp;– Britney |publisher=Ultratop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829212330/http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Britney&cat=a |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=June 5, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="worldsalesfirst">{{cite news |url=https://acervo.oglobo.globo.com/busca/?tipoConteudo=pagina&ordenacaoData=relevancia&allwords=Britney+Spears&anyword=&noword=&exactword=&decadaSelecionada=2000&anoSelecionado=2003 |date=January 7, 2003 |access-date=June 21, 2019 |title=Sex Machines |newspaper=[[O Globo]] |last=Porto |first=Bruno |language=pt-br |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603011518/https://acervo.oglobo.globo.com/busca/?tipoConteudo=pagina&ordenacaoData=relevancia&allwords=Britney+Spears&anyword=&noword=&exactword=&decadaSelecionada=2000&anoSelecionado=2003 |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |quote=and 'Britney', released in 2001, sold 10 million copies (150,000 in Brazil).}} [https://archive.org/details/MatriaOGloboSexMachines2003 Alt URL]</ref>

[[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[AllMusic]] called ''Britney'' "the record where she strives to deepen her persona, making it more adult while still recognizably Britney.&nbsp;... It does sound like the work of a star who has now found and refined her voice, resulting in her best record yet."<ref name="britney-2001">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r556064 |title=Britney – Overview |year=2001 |access-date=June 5, 2010 |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |website=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026185854/https://www.allmusic.com/album/britney-mw0000006300 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was nominated for the Grammy awards for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "[[Overprotected]]", and in 2007 it was named one of the best albums of the preceding 25 years by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-music/ |title=The New Classics: Music |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 18, 2007 |access-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713183154/https://ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-music/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The lead single, "[[I'm a Slave 4 U]]", became a top-ten hit in several countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=I%27m+A+Slave+4+U&cat=s |title=ultratop.be&nbsp;– Britney Spears&nbsp;– I'm a Slave 4 U |publisher=Ultratop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319025341/http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=I%27m+A+Slave+4+U&cat=s |archive-date=March 19, 2013 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Spears' performance of the single at the [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards]] featured a caged tiger (wrangled by [[Bhagavan Antle]]) and a large [[Burmese python|albino python]] draped over her shoulders.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/tiger-king-britney-spears-vma-performance-1203548816/ |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |title='Tiger King's' Doc Antle and Britney Spears Shared Stage for 'I'm a Slave 4 U' VMAs Performance |date=March 30, 2020 |access-date=March 31, 2020 |work=Variety |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331085626/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/tiger-king-britney-spears-vma-performance-1203548816/amp/ |url-status=live}}</ref> It was harshly received by animal rights organization [[PETA]], who claimed the animals were mistreated and scrapped plans for an anti-fur billboard that was to feature Spears.<ref name=vma /> Jocelyn Vena of MTV News summarized Spears' performance at the ceremony, saying, "draping herself in a white python and slithering around a steamy garden setting – surrounded by dancers in zebra and tiger outfits – Spears created one of the most striking visuals in the 27-year history of the show."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1669706/britney-spears-mtv-vma-history/ |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |title=Britney Spears' Iconic VMA History: Snakes, Stripteases And Smooches |date=August 25, 2011 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |publisher=MTV News |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103183704/http://www.mtv.com/news/1669706/britney-spears-mtv-vma-history/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

To support the album, Spears began the [[Dream Within a Dream Tour]]. The show was critically praised for its technical innovations, the ''[[pièce de résistance]]'' being a water screen that pumped two tons of water into the stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://livedesignonline.com/mag/britneys_big_splash?smte=wr |title=Britney's Big Splash |date=July 1, 2002 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |last=McHugh |first=Catherine |work=Live Design |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014171928/http://livedesignonline.com/mag/britneys_big_splash?smte=wr |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://livedesignonline.com/mag/lighting_singin_rain/index.html |title=Singin' in the Rain |date=August 1, 2002 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |last=Singlerland |first=Amy L. |work=Live Design |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404102222/http://livedesignonline.com/mag/lighting_singin_rain/index.html |archive-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref> The tour grossed $53.3 million (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|53300000|2002|end_year={{Inflation-year|US}}}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}})), becoming the second highest-grossing tour of 2002 by a female artist, behind [[Cher]]'s [[Living Proof: The Farewell Tour|Farewell Tour]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3828698163831505&id=199428123425212&set=a.288703224497701 |title=Her tour continued in 2002 before wrapping with $53.3 million in sales from 946,169 tickets at 66 shows. |website=[[Facebook]] |author=[[Pollstar]] |date=November 26, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mccartney-notches-years-highest-grossing-tour-73086/ |title=McCartney Notches Year's Highest-Grossing Tour |year=2002 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428104851/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mccartney-notches-years-highest-grossing-tour-73086/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Her career success was highlighted by ''[[Forbes]]'' in 2002, as Spears was ranked the world's most powerful celebrity.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/home.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2002&passListType=Person |title=Forbes Celebrity 100 2002 |year=2002 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |work=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202174403/http://www.forbes.com/lists/home.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2002&passListType=Person |archive-date=December 2, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Spears also landed her first starring role in ''[[Crossroads (2002 film)|Crossroads]]'', released in February 2002. Although the film was largely panned, critics praised Spears' acting. The film was a box office success,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/1112549-crossroads/ |title=Crossroads Movie Reviews, Pictures |year=2002 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Flixster]] |archive-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609000317/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1112549-crossroads/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/crossroads-film-review-2625.html |title=Crossroads Film Review&nbsp;– Crossroads Film Pictures, Crossroads Film Trailer |date=April 2, 2002 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |work=View London |publisher=2 View Group Ltd. |archive-date=June 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617103040/http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/crossroads-film-review-2625.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=cross>{{harvnb|Hughes|2005|p=152}}</ref> grossing over $61.1 million worldwide on a $12 million budget.<ref name=cross />

In June 2002, Spears opened her first restaurant, Nyla, in New York City, but terminated her relationship in November due to mismanagement and "management's failure to keep her fully apprised".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1458900/britney-spears-bails-on-her-new-york-restaurant-nyla/ |title=Britney Spears Bails on Her New York Restaurant, Nyla |date=November 26, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907004204/https://www.mtv.com/news/1458900/britney-spears-bails-on-her-new-york-restaurant-nyla/ |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |last=Moss |first=Corey |publisher=MTV |url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 2002, Spears announced she would take a six-month break from her career; however, she went back into the studio in November to record her new album.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1458526/britney-spears-hiatus-is-history/ |title=Britney Spears' Hiatus Is History |date=November 5, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831203245/https://www.mtv.com/news/1458526/britney-spears-hiatus-is-history/ |archive-date=August 31, 2014 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |last=Moss |first=Corey |publisher=MTV |url-status=dead}}</ref> Spears' relationship with Justin Timberlake ended after three years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McIntosh |first=Steven |date=April 30, 2021 |title=Britney Spears: Does the latest documentary tell us anything new? |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56801778 |access-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702194324/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56801778 |url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2002, Timberlake released the song "[[Cry Me a River (Justin Timberlake song)|Cry Me a River]]". Its music video featured a Spears look-alike and fueled the rumors that she had been engaging in an affair,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/226195/thi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029075128/http://www.mb.com.ph/node/226195/thi |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 29, 2009 |title='This one's for you': Ex-music couples sing of their love woes |date=October 4, 2009 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |last=Sanchez |first=Rowena Joy A. |work=[[Manila Bulletin]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/contributors/259121/britney-revealed |title=Britney revealed |date=November 23, 2003 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |last=Sawyer |first=Diane |work=[[ninemsn]] |publisher=[[PBL Media]] / [[Microsoft]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306031941/http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/contributors/259121/britney-revealed |archive-date=March 6, 2012}}</ref> fueled by further rumors of possible relationships involving Timberlake's choreographer [[Wade Robson]] and [[Limp Bizkit]]'s frontman [[Fred Durst]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/celebrity/fred-durst-just-wont-drop-britney/ |title=Fred Durst Just Won't Drop Britney |access-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901230012/https://people.com/celebrity/fred-durst-just-wont-drop-britney/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Spears had initially denied the allegations of a possible affair involving Durst, despite the two being spotted together on multiple occasions; even claiming the two had a friendly connection.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/65un1s/new-limp-bizkit-song-disses-dursts-fizzled-flame |title=New Limp Bizkit Song Disses Durst's Fizzled Flame |publisher=[[MTV News]] |access-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009123831/https://www.mtv.com/news/65un1s/new-limp-bizkit-song-disses-dursts-fizzled-flame |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2023, she admitted to engaging in an affair with Robson.<ref name="eonline">{{cite news |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1388283/britney-spears-admits-to-cheating-on-justin-timberlake-with-wade-robson |title=Britney Spears Admits to Cheating on Justin Timberlake with Wade Robson |publisher=[[E!]] |date=October 19, 2023 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020012056/https://www.eonline.com/news/1388283/britney-spears-admits-to-cheating-on-justin-timberlake-with-wade-robson |url-status=live}}</ref> As a response, Spears wrote the ballad "[[Everytime]]" with her backing vocalist and friend [[Annet Artani]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.muumuse.com/2010/02/annet-artani-from-everytime-to-alive.html#more-5249 |title=Annet Artani: From "Everytime" to "Alive" |date=February 2010 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |last=Stern |first=Bradley |publisher=MuuMuse.com |archive-date=February 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211215937/http://www.muumuse.com/2010/02/annet-artani-from-everytime-to-alive.html#more-5249 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/02/28/fred-tells-all-about-britney-affair/ |title=Fred tells all about Britney affair |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901230013/https://ew.com/article/2003/02/28/fred-tells-all-about-britney-affair/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/britney-not-that-innocent-says-limp-bizkit-front-man-20030302-gdgcy1.html |title=Britney not that innocent, says Limp Bizkit front man |date=March 2, 2003 |access-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901230014/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/britney-not-that-innocent-says-limp-bizkit-front-man-20030302-gdgcy1.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1607309/fred-durst-looks-back-at-his-relationship-with-britney-spears/ |title=Fred Durst Looks Back at His Relationship With Britney Spears |date=March 19, 2009 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |last=Jacks |first=Brian |publisher=MTV News |archive-date=September 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907004051/http://www.mtv.com/news/1607309/fred-durst-looks-back-at-his-relationship-with-britney-spears/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/limp-bizkit-new-song-ready-to-go-55005398-60231363 |title=New Limp Bizkit Song with Lil Wayne Mocks Britney Spears, Hits On Jessica Biel |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026185907/https://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/limp-bizkit-new-song-ready-to-go-55005398-60231363 |url-status=live}}</ref>