Let's revisit these Britney Spears performances one more time. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most iconic and impressive performances from the Princess of Pop.
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00:00Make it hot when I put on a show
00:03Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most
00:07iconic and impressive performances from the Princess of Pop.
00:11Oops, I did it again
00:15I've made it your heart
00:17Gotta bust it again
00:21Number 20, from the bottom of my broken heart,
00:24Baby One More Time, 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.
00:28How was I to know I missed you so?
00:35For her one and only showing at the Grammy Awards, Britney Spears proved her
00:39versatility as an artist by starting out with an emotional rendition of
00:43From the Bottom of My Broken Heart.
00:45From the bottom of my broken heart
00:52There's just nothing else to it like it's enough
00:58Her passionate vocals, combined with her gorgeous costume,
01:01kept the audience entranced. Then, she completely flipped the script by
01:05transitioning into her biggest hit at the time, Baby One More Time.
01:09She, of course, did this in the coolest way possible,
01:12having her legion of robot dancers storm the stage as she executed a
01:16flawless outfit change.
01:24When she reappeared, she immediately launched into a seemingly simple yet
01:29technically perfect performance of the single,
01:31proving to everyone there why she was already one of the biggest stars on the
01:35planet.
01:41Number 19, The Hook Up, The Onyx Hotel Tour.
01:44Boys and girls come along on a ride on this for them
01:51While it may not be her most recognizable song,
01:54Spears still performed it as though it was a number one single.
02:02Flawlessly incorporated into The Onyx Hotel Tour,
02:05the reggae-inspired tune was a perfect reprieve between her usual dance pop
02:10numbers.
02:16She made the bold choice to perform the whole thing barefoot,
02:20a move that matched the vibe of the track. It's practically impossible to
02:24tear your eyes away for even one second as she flawlessly executes the alluring
02:28choreography.
02:35It was also proof that she didn't always need intricate dance moves or
02:39tricks to command the stage, and still stands out as one of her most
02:43memorable acts to this day.
02:52Number 18, Breathe On Me, Britney Spears In The Zone.
03:06If there is one word to describe the star, it would be alluring, with her
03:16sultry voice and seductive dance moves taking center stage in most of her
03:20performances. This is most apparent during her rendition of Breathe On Me
03:24from her ABC special in 2004.
03:36The entire act was mature, from the strip tease in the beginning to her intimate
03:41choreography with one of her dancers. The audience was locked in from the start,
03:45hanging on every move she made.
03:52Plenty of floor work and sensual moves enhanced the impact of this marvelously
03:57suggestive song. It was the perfect combination of raunch and grace, all
04:02wrapped up into one show-stopping piece.
04:11Number 17, Peace Of Me, The Circus Starring Britney Spears.
04:25A performance that perfectly matches the vibe of a song will always hit. The tour
04:29following the album Circus was intended to be Britney's comeback following her
04:33rough year in the media, and for many fans, she exceeded every expectation.
04:46Beginning the number in a golden cage, she used the cage as the ultimate prop,
04:51treating the audience to controlled yet impressive dance moves. When she finally
04:56breaks free in the end, it feels truly triumphant.
05:06The setting was also oddly representative of her personal situation at the time,
05:10with the cage serving as the perfect metaphor for the conservatorship she had
05:14just been placed under.
05:18Number 16, Womanizer, 60th Bambi Awards.
05:26Towards the end of the 2000s, the pop star had been going through a rough time.
05:30However, she didn't let that slow her down.
05:43This is obvious during her performance of Womanizer at the 2008 Bambi Awards.
05:48Despite occurring at the very tail end of her public breakdown,
05:51she still exuded plenty of professional energy. Decked out in an era-defining get-up,
05:56she easily commanded the entire room with her stage presence.
06:03She also showed that she didn't need the bells and whistles of a standard
06:13award show performance, slaying with minimalistic yet perfectly executed steps.
06:25In one three-minute span, she proved that she wouldn't be giving up her crown
06:29anytime soon.
06:35Number 15, Everytime, Saturday Night Live.
06:47When it comes to her talent, Britney is often given more flowers for her dancing.
06:52However, that doesn't diminish her vocal ability one bit.
07:00And nothing demonstrates that better than her 2003 appearance on Saturday Night Live.
07:10While she sang two songs that night, the one that truly stood out was her ballad, Everytime.
07:24She showed off her unique voice as she crooned the heartbreaking lyrics.
07:28Her appearance came about a year after her highly publicized breakup with fellow musician
07:33Justin Timberlake, making the rendition all the more emotional for both her and the audience.
07:48The harp was the pièce de résistance,
07:50adding the perfect amount of instrumentation to the background without overpowering her voice.
07:58Number 14, Lonely, Dream Within a Dream Tour.
08:12While it's practically impossible to choose just one performance from this legendary tour
08:16to feature, this one stands out above the rest.
08:19Using a projection of herself on a large screen,
08:29Britney proceeded to dance with herself to Lonely.
08:37Both versions served up a stunning routine, creating a slightly mirrored effect for the
08:42audience. As if the show couldn't get any cooler, she infused it with even more theatricality.
08:47She incorporated pyrotechnics into the final act of the song,
08:51as the rest of her dancers joined her on stage, closing it out with a literal bang.
09:01The high-intensity act proved her endurance, showmanship,
09:05and commitment to putting on a good show, even for the deep cuts.
09:13Number 13, Circus, Good Morning America.
09:18No one can captivate a crowd quite like Britney Spears can. Even in her darkest days,
09:33she still managed to put on some practically flawless shows. Take, for example, her 2008
09:38appearance on Good Morning America, where she performed circus to celebrate the album being
09:43released. It was her big chance to regain the mainstream's love again, following the rough
09:56year she'd just had, and she pulled it off faultlessly. From the impeccably executed dance
10:09break, complete with high kicks to her dancers decked out in full circus attire, she made the
10:14world genuinely excited for her return. She more than demonstrated that she still had what it takes.
10:31Number 12, Baby One More Time, You Drive Me Crazy, 10th Billboard Music Awards.
10:40We just know an awards show hates to see her coming. When it comes to an industry event,
10:49Britney will constantly keep you guessing, and the 1999 Billboard Music Awards was no exception.
11:04For her debut there, she immediately demonstrated why she would be a lasting force in the business.
11:09She opened with a jazzy rendition of Baby One More Time,
11:12switching it up from the usual bubblegum pop fare.
11:29The alternate tempo allowed her to display her talents in a new way, showcasing her versatility.
11:40The energy completely flipped as she moved into You Drive Me Crazy,
11:50whipping out multiple dance breaks over the beat. Even though she was still a new artist,
11:55she effortlessly proved why she would become a household name.
12:02Number 11, The Way You Make Me Feel, Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration.
12:09Two icons performing one song together, who could ask for anything more? At the 30th
12:19Anniversary Celebration for Michael Jackson's career, he had a full set complete with some
12:24huge guests, Britney being one of them. The two worked off each other's
12:39seamlessly as they sang The Way You Make Me Feel. They perfectly played off each other's energy,
12:44creating a rousing performance that had the crowd out of their seats. What made it all the more
12:49masterful is that neither pulled out their show-stopping moves, allowing their voices
12:54and pure star power to take center stage. It was a moment of sheer respect between two powerhouses,
13:09forming a once-in-a-lifetime presentation that may never be replicated.
13:27Number 10, Medley, 23rd Billboard Music Awards.
13:39Following in the footsteps of Beyonce and the late Whitney Houston, Britney Spears became
13:44the third singer to be honored with the Billboard Millennium Award. In addition to receiving this
13:50prestigious accolade, Spears kicked things off at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.
13:55Since the Millennium Award commemorates an artist's influential career,
13:59it's only fitting that Britney sang some of her biggest hits, from Work Bitch to Toxic.
14:09Complete with a flashy set and an army of backup dancers,
14:15her performance had all the flair of a Super Bowl halftime show.
14:28While Spears has taken her fair share of missteps in recent years,
14:31this epic performance put her right back on top of the music world.
14:39Number 9, I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman, 29th Annual American Music Awards.
14:55While not her biggest commercial hit, I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman embodied a significant
15:00turning point in Britney's career, as she transitioned from a child star to a teenage diva.
15:06A critical success, the song was also the centerpiece of her unforgettable performance
15:11at the 29th American Music Awards. After years of building up a glitzy and even risque image,
15:27this appearance exemplified Britney's subtle, elegant side. Keeping the choreography simple,
15:32she allowed her beautiful vocals to take center stage.
15:46As backup singers joined Spears towards the end, it was hard not to shed a tear,
15:51making it one of Britney's most heartfelt and graceful performances.
16:03Number 8, Make Me, Me Myself & I, 33rd MTV Video Music Awards.
16:17After giving her finest performance in years at the Billboard Music Awards,
16:21Spears kept riding the comeback train to the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.
16:32It had been almost a decade since Britney's less-than-stellar appearance at the 2007 VMAs.
16:40That notorious display became a distant memory following this sensational performance, however.
16:52Hitting the stage in stylish silhouette, Spears opened her act with Make Me. Shortly after G-Eazy
16:58joined her on the stage, the two closed things out with Me Myself & I. Maintaining a powerful,
17:04poised presence throughout, Britney reminded us all who the original Princess of Pop is.
17:17It's no wonder Make Me skyrocketed up the charts following this performance.
17:22Number 7, Me Against The Music, I Got That Boom Boom, Total Request Live.
17:32Long before YouTube was around, people had to catch music videos on MTV's Total Request Live.
17:38As one of the show's most frequently requested artists, Britney Spears was a TRL regular,
17:44perhaps her most notable role in the music industry.
17:47Donning a fedora and a crop top, Spears was the center of attention in Times Square as
17:51she performed Me Against The Music. With tight choreography and strong vocals, this would go
17:57down as one of the best live performances in TRL history. As a bonus, Britney was also
18:03featured on the cover of the magazine's cover of the year.
18:07Needless to say, they were all in the zone.
18:13Number 6, Baby One More Time, 16th Emmy Award nomination.
18:19Britney Spears was the center of attention in Times Square as she performed Me Against The Music.
18:23With tight choreography and strong vocals, this would go down as one of the best live
18:28performances in TRL history. As a bonus, the Yang Yang Twins also joined Spears for a performance
18:3516th MTV Video Music Awards.
18:46Baby One More Time launched Britney Spears into teen idol territory,
18:50and is still arguably her most recognizable work.
18:53My loneliness is killing me.
18:59The song earned three nominations at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards,
19:04where Spears also performed her debut single.
19:07Following Roll Call, Spears stormed onto the stage like a true queen bee.
19:12One more time.
19:24Once the bell finally rang, it felt like an epic party was coming to an end.
19:28Fortunately, NSYNC crashed the classroom to kick off the after party.
19:32Right now I'd like to introduce to you some friends of mine.
19:35This marked Spears' first appearance at the VMAs, and it certainly wouldn't be her last.
19:40It could also be seen as an early chapter in her relationship with Justin Timberlake,
19:44adding another layer of nostalgia to the performance.
19:58Number 5. Stronger. 28th Annual American Music Awards.
20:11In addition to hosting the 28th Annual American Music Awards with LL Cool J,
20:19Spears also performed her empowering single, Stronger.
20:29The act featured an extravagant set, various backup dancers,
20:34and even a guitar player with crazy white hair.
20:37Given all the eye candy on display,
20:39it would have been easy for Britney to get lost in the shuffle.
20:51Yet all eyes remained fixated on the singer,
20:54who commanded her audience's attention with unparalleled confidence.
20:59Where Spears is usually described as a pop diva,
21:02in this performance, she came off more like a rock star.
21:05The rock and roll vibes only continued to the song's catchy dance beat,
21:09making everybody listening feel just a little bit stronger.
21:18Number 4. Toxic. Britney Spears, in the lead up to her performance,
21:23performed her song, In The Zone,
21:25which was the title track of Spears' second studio album, In The Zone.
21:39To promote her fourth studio album, In The Zone,
21:42Spears headlined her own televised concert on ABC.
21:46Toxic was easily the highlight of this 2004 special,
21:53as well as a standout track from the album.
21:55Strutting down the runway, Britney attracts backup dancers like a magnet.
22:00Her performance is so addictive that everybody wants a taste, no matter how poisonous.
22:12Toxic would go on to win Spears her first Grammy award,
22:15and remains one of her trademark hits.
22:17However, this is quite possibly the definitive version of the song,
22:21thanks to the inventive visuals, slick choreography, and Britney's intoxicating presence.
22:31Number 3. Like A Virgin, Hollywood, Work It. 20th MTV Video Music Awards.
22:45The princess of pop has shared the stage with numerous legends,
22:49and one of the most amazing is this ensemble piece from the 2003 VMAs.
22:54While her duet with Michael Jackson was a landmark,
22:57Spears took part in an even greater ensemble piece at the 2003 VMAs. Dressed as brides,
23:03Spears and Christina Aguilera commenced the act with a rendition of Like A Virgin.
23:16Of course, that classic tune wouldn't be complete without Madonna,
23:19who eventually emerged from a giant wedding cake.
23:29She joined her fellow artists to sing Hollywood, sealing the song with an infamous kiss.
23:36Throw in Missy Elliott, and you've got four music icons that know how to work it.
23:41Everyone went nuts for this over-the-top performance, except maybe JT.
23:49Number 2. I Can't Get No Satisfaction, Oops I Did It Again. 17th MTV Video Music Awards.
23:58I can't get no satisfaction.
24:06Watching this VMA performance, it felt as if we were seeing Britney Spears evolve as an artist
24:11right before our eyes. Calling Michael Jackson to mind, Britney began the performance hidden
24:16under a black hat and tuxedo, singing her version of I Can't Get No Satisfaction.
24:28Then, like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon,
24:33Spears stripped away the tux to reveal a flesh-colored bodysuit.
24:37As the performance segued into Oops I Did It Again, Britney made her message clear.
24:41She was becoming a more adult singer, with no qualms about showing some skin.
24:45You see my problem is this, I'm dreaming away, wishing I'd be able to do this.
24:55The performance might have been met with some controversy,
24:58but that's clearly what Brit was going for, and she'd likely do it again.
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25:35Britney Spears simply stole the show at the 2001 VMAs,
25:39wowing audiences with her sexy and daring rendition of I'm a Slave for You.
25:53The performance flooded the Metropolitan Opera House with a hot, steamy atmosphere.
25:57Britney and a horde of live animals were at the center of everything.
26:01While it did spark a backlash from PETA, the act wouldn't have become nearly as iconic without
26:06the giant albino python Britney bravely wore on her shoulders like a fashion accessory.
26:20Over a decade and a half later, this performance is still referenced and parodied in pop culture.
26:30It's also practically synonymous with Britney's career.
26:36Which of these performances do you think was the biggest slay? Let us know in the comments.
26:52Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms Mojo,
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