Being Britney

A timely and unique portrait of one of music's most talented, troubled and talked-about modern icons, re-examining the prolific career, publicised life and continued cultural relevance of pop princess Britney Spears.

With her canon of best-selling singles, electrifying stage performances and iconic music videos, Britney Spears is undoubtedly a modern pop superstar. But her story has long been clouded by society's dark obsession with beauty, youth and fame - a relentless glare that has threatened to eclipse her musical success.

A mother, an entrepreneur; a victim, a fighter; an entertainer, an enigma - Britney's life is as multi-faceted as the very contradictions, pressures and expectations that helped create her. Yet, beyond the eye-catching headlines and front-page fodder, an almost indecipherable question remains: who is the real Britney?

Part biography, part social history, Being Britney pieces together a collage of vignettes, stories, interviews, legends and fan experiences to construct a definitive portrait of the artist and her complex, far-reaching orbit. Written by acclaimed music author Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, this unique narrative is the first to provide a sympathetic yet objective re-examination of Britney's cultural impact in the wake of major collective shifts surrounding feminism, celebrity and mental health.

Despite her career spanning five presidents, multiple creative reinventions and over 100 million album sales, Britney's ability to come back again and again from highly publicised personal adversity has rarely been acknowledged. However, her successes keep stacking up and her relevance seems to grow with each passing year, culminating in a game-changing Las Vegas residency, a shocking conservatorship battle and a powerful #FreeBritney support campaign.

Being Britney is the compelling account of a talented, troubled and talked-about icon, whose life, work and individual significance w ill be recognised for many years to come.

About the Author

Dr Jennifer Otter Bickerdike is a familiar name in the world of pop culture. With more than thirty years' experience, including time spent as a music industry executive in the US, Jennifer brings a unique perspective to the discussion of contemporary music and media. An academic, writer, presenter and historian, she has authored several books on the topics of pop, rock, fandom and celebrity, most recently 2021's You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone: The Biography of Nico and 2017's number-one bestseller Why Vinyl Matters: A Manifesto from Musicians and Fans.

Jennifer is the global music ambassador for the British and Irish Modern Music Institute, co-creator of the Songs That Saved Your Life podcast and co-founder of Moving the Needle - a non-profit organisation that supports women in the UK music industry through their careers. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, she now lives in London with her husband and rescue dog.