Britney Spears: A Look Back at Her Ups & Downs
After being MIA from the public eye for months, fans have finally been filled in on what's going on with Britney Spears. In April, news broke that Britney has entered a mental health facility after her dad's illness reportedly took a serious toll on her. In recent years, the pop legend seemed to be doing pretty well, and her career has been thriving, too. This has been the first sign of trouble in her life in a long time, but for awhile there, things were looking pretty rocky.
When most people think back on Britney's mental health struggles, they think about the time she shaved her head, her turbulent marriage and custody battle with Kevin Federline, and her multiple run-ins with paparazzi.
But honestly, there's a lot more to the story than that.
Since 2007, when she first started showing signs that she might need help, it's been quite a roller-coaster. Britney has worked hard to overcome what she went through that year and the following, but considering the life that Britney has led -- going all the way back to her "Baby One More Time" days -- it's easy to see how the pressure could get to her, or anyone for that matter. It's hard to grow up (or even exist) with the world watching, and we've seen this celeb mom make a comeback since that more difficult part of her life that has been seriously impressive to watch.
Britney has had lots of ups and downs over the years, but she's always made it through to the other side stronger than ever, and we don't doubt she'll be able to pull through again this time. It takes a lot of strength to ask for help, and we're rooting for her every step of the way.
Here's a look back at Britney Spears's ups and downs.
2006: Driving With Sean Preston on Her Lap
Although people were certainly wary of Britney's marriage to Kevin, eyebrows really didn't start to raise until she began making headlines because of the way she behaved with their son, Sean Preston. In February 2006, she was caught driving with Sean on her lap, who was only 4 months old at the time. According to Billboard, Britney said she did it because of a "horrifying, frightful encounter with the paparazzi."
But that wasn't the only incident. Just months later, TMZ caught her almost dropping Sean on the ground as she left the New York Ritz Carlton. At the time, she was already pregnant with her second child, Jayden.
June 2006: Her Dateline Breakdown
During an appearance on Dateline, Britney sat down with Matt Lauer, explaining that she's a good mom, and that her kids are safe. She had a breakdown talking about wanting the paparazzi to leave her alone.
"You have babies at home. And ... you have a life," Britney Spears told Matt, ABC News reports. "And if you don’t, you have to realize that we’re people and that we ... just need privacy and we need our respect. And those are things that you have to have as a human being."
November 2006: Britney & Kevin Divorce
By the end of the year, Britney and Kevin were officially done -- just two months after Jayden's birth. According to CNN, they cited "irreconcilable differences" and decided to go their separate ways. Britney, strangely enough, decided to celebrate by going ice skating. At the time, she asked for sole custody of both Jayden and Sean.
February 2007: Checking In & Out of Rehab
In February 2007, it seemed like Britney wanted to seek treatment for her mental health -- but then, she didn't. She checked into Eric Clapton's Crossroads Center in Antigua, according to People, only to check out the next day. The following week, she checked into residential rehab center Promises in Malibu, checking out the following day again.
"I'm doing great," she told People at the time.
February 16, 2007: Britney Shaved Her Head
On the night of February 16, 2007, Britney walked into a Los Angeles hair salon and asked if the hair stylists would shave her head. When they refused, she decided to do it herself. That wasn't the end of that night's adventures as Brit continued on to a Sherman Oaks tattoo parlor, getting two tattoos.
February 26, 2007: The Infamous Umbrella Attack
Days after Britney shaved her head, she was caught on camera attacking a car parked outside of Kevin's house with an umbrella. The car belonged to a photographer. Later, she explained it away as preparing for a role in a movie she didn't end up getting.
"I apologize to the pap for a stunt that was done 4 months ago regarding an umbrella," Britney wrote on her website, reported People. "I was preparing my character for a role in a movie where the husband never plays his part so they switch places accidentally. I take all my roles very seriously and got a little carried away. Unfortunately I didn’t get the part."
March 2007: Britney Completed One Month in Rehab
It seemed that everything had finally come to a head: Britney finally completed a month in rehab. She voluntarily checked back into Promises after the head shaving and umbrella incidents, and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, too. Britney's then-manager, Larry Rudolph, said in a statement that she "has been released by the Promises Malibu Treatment Center after successfully completing their program."
April 2007: Britney Fires Her Manager
Not long after Britney got out of rehab, she fired Larry Rudolph. Britney's dad, Jamie Spears, spoke to Page Six about the situation, revealing that Britney blamed Larry for everything.
"He was doing what her mother, father and team of professionals with over 100 yeas of experience knew needed to be done. She was out of control," Jamie said. "Unfortunately, she blames [Rudolph] and her family for where she is at today with her kids and career."
May 2007: Writing a Letter to Her Fans
The following month, Britney wrote a letter to her fans that she published on her website, admitting that she had "truly hit rock bottom." She said had to cut ties with people in her life who weren't good to her, alluding to her firing of Larry Rudolph. According to MTV, Britney wrote:
"I feel like some of the people in my life made more of some issues than was necessary. I also feel like they knew I was beginning to use my brain for a change and cut some ties, so they wanted to be in more control of my life than me. I think it is actually normal for a young girl to go out after a huge divorce. I think it was a bigger issue because I had not gone out in such a long time. I am 25 and I do still have a lot to learn, and I am going to make mistakes every day, and I am sure every mistake I make will probably be on CNN or Good Morning America. I am only human, people, and I love you for still loving me."
October 2007: Losing Custody of Sean & Jayden
The custody battle between Britney and Kevin began with Britney first temporarily losing custody of Sean and Jayden in October 2007. The following January, she was placed on a 5150 mental health hold in the hospital after refusing to hand the boys over to Kevin when her visitation was over. Later that year, Britney agreed to award Kevin sole custody of the kids, with rights to visitation that would increase over time.
February 2008: Jamie Spears Is Awarded Conservatorship
After Britney's hospitalization, Britney's dad petitioned for conservatorship of his daughter and won. Jamie was awarded control over Britney's finances and medical records. Recently, Jamie Spears was awarded sole conservatorship over Britney, ending his co-conservator duties with Andrew Wallet.
November 28, 2008: 'For The Record'
Just before dropping a new album, Britney's MTV documentary, For The Record, came out, giving fans a rare, intimate look into the singer's life. For the first time, she had the chance to really address everything she'd been going through over the past few years head on, and at times, it got emotional. She admitted that sometimes, her life felt like a "jail sentence" with no end in sight (ouch) but it gave fans a way to understand everything that had been going on.
November 28, 2008: 'Circus' Hit Shelves
Don't call it a comeback!
After entering treatment and having the help of her father, it seemed like Britney was finally able to get back on her feet. Less than a year later, she released her sixth album, Circus, and it went straight to number one on the Billboard charts. By all appearances, she seemed to be doing a lot better than she'd been in a long time.
December 2013: Her Las Vegas Residency
After releasing even more albums and living a life that was much more boring -- and much healthier -- than the one she lived in the early 2000s, Britney had an exciting career development in 2013. She kicked off her Las Vegas residency, Piece of Me, at Planet Hollywood's Axis theater. The show ran for two years.
2016: Hanging With Her Boys
Britney frequently updates her Instagram with photos featuring her kids. It seems like she spends time with them often, especially when she's not working. Regardless of what her situation with Kevin is, it's obvious that Sean and Jayden are incredibly important to her.
The 'Piece of Me' Tour
After her Vegas residency came to an end, Britney decided to take her show on the road. In 2018, Britney embarked on the Piece of Me summer tour, allowing fans on the East Coast and in Europe to see the same show she performed in Las Vegas before she retired the performance forever.
According to Pollstar, the tour grossed more than $54 million.
January 2019: Britney Puts Second Vegas Residency On Hold
The first sign of trouble was in January, when Britney postponed her second Vegas residency, Domination, because father Jamie Spears was having health issues. She took to Instagram to share the news, sharing a photo of her family together when she was a child. A press release later clarified that Jamie had been recently rushed to the hospital after his colon ruptured, requiring emergency surgery.
Thankfully, he's expected to make a full recovery.
April 2019: Britney Enters Treatment
In early April, Britney reportedly checked into an "all-encompassing wellness" treatment facility to take care of her emotional and mental health while coping with her father's illness. A source close to the singer told the magazine that she needs to take time for herself right now.
"Her dad being sick has taken a toll on her" the insider said. "He nearly died and actually had another surgery a few weeks ago. He's not doing well. They're so close and it has been a lot. There is nothing dramatic going on with her -- she just realized she needs to make sure to take time to care for herself."
Jamie Lynn Shows Her Support
When news broke that Britney was headed to treatment, Britney's younger sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, shared this sweet throwback in honor of her big sis. Even on her first day of school, Britney was there to ride the bus with her.
We can't imagine the kind of logistical nightmare that must have caused, but it goes to show the kind of support they've always offered each other.
Britney Speaks Out
Although Britney hasn't opened up about treatment herself, she shared an Instagram message about what she's going through. In early April, she posted this quote, along with a short, simple caption alluding to the situation. "We all need to take time for a little 'me time,'" she wrote, adding a smiley face.
So true, Brit.