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According to her mom, Lynne, Britney
was a very sweet and lovable baby. She started talking early and
she also started showing her talent! Lynne says that as soon as
Britney got to her feet for her first toddling steps, she became
interested in music. Little Britney learned to dance as soon as
she was steady on her feet, and her love of music helped her learn
her steps.
She was a little ballerina and a tiny tapper and
also took a basic tumbling class. As she showed proficiency in tumbling,
she was quickly enrolled at a gym in Covington, an hour's drive
away from her home in Kentwood, Louisiana for gymnastics
classes. She excelled in the sport and won several state titles
at her level. Britney's favorite events in gymnastics were floor
exercise (she could really use her dance skills there) and the uneven
bars. Britney's schedule was grueling. She had three hours of practice
everyday, with that long drive on top of it, but the little girl's
determination motivated her to stay with gymnastics until she was
about nine years old.
At nine, Britney returned to her first
love, dancing.
This time she added singing to the mix. She joined a dance company
and began traveling around the state competing in group and solo
dance competitions. Britney's specialty became jazz lyrical dancing.
She also sang at the events. She didn't win every competition, but
did very well! Her mom says Britney never wanted to enter the same
competition twice, telling her "Oh mom,if I did that, it'd be so
tacky."
She
was a finalist, but eventually disqualified because of her age.
However, she was seen by a producer on the Disney Channel's "Mickey
Mouse Club," who, enchanted by the young girl's talent, suggested
that her mom fly to NYC and get the little dynamo an agent!
Britney spent the next three summers
of her life in New York City.
She studied at the prestigious Off-Broadway Dance Center and at
the Professional Performing Arts School. During this time in her
life, Britney's face became familiar to the public, even if her
name wasn't. She appeared in several national commercials. She also
was a part of some Off-Broadway productions including 1991's Ruthless,
based on the 1956 thriller The Bad Seed. Britney says she
enjoyed playing an evil child...that it was a lot of fun!
She was part of the club for the next
two years; singing, dancing and acting with the troupe on the popular
TV Show. After the program folded, Britney returned to her hometown
to go to school for a year like any high school freshman. But she
quickly tired of that, and missed traveling and performing.
At
fifteen, Britney got the opportunity to audition for an all-girl
singing group.
While she enjoyed the experience, she decided she was better suited
to being a solo performer. She put together an audition tape, and
went back to New York! Her visit went great ...and she was signed
to a recording contract with Jive Records. Her days of being a regular
high school student were quickly over!
Even before her album came out, legions
of people were becoming her fans on the strength of her performances
at local malls and her sensational turn as the opening act for the
popular group 'NSync. She cast a spell on everyone who had the chance
to catch her bouncy and upbeat song and dance. When "...Baby, One
More Time" was released, she garnered even more fans and worldwide
admiration.
After visiting many parts of the world during her
tour in Summer 1999, Britney will return to the studio to record
another album. On her second release, even more of Britney's unique
talent and personality will be evident. She'll write some of the
songs that appear on the album. She says her music will mature as
she does, and this upcoming album will show her growth.
Britney attributes her wonderful success to her family and her
faith in God.
Her mom says Britney's focus and determination have also helped
her achieve all that she has. As Britney comes of age, expect even
more great things from this girl who has already wowed the entire
world!
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