How Britney bounced back from her darkest times
As formerly troubled Britney Spears prepares to end a fouryear run of shows in Vegas, insiders say she’s never felt better and wants to settle down with her Mr Right
She announced last week that her successful fouryear Las Vegas residency will finish in December, and insiders tell Closer that Britney Spears is feeling more positive than ever and is now ready for the next chapter in her life.
Britney, 35, confirmed to fans that the last performance of her Piece Of Me residency at Planet Hollywood will take place on 31 December, saying: “I had no idea how magical this experience would be.”
BEING INDEPENDENT
Pals say the show has been a life-changing experience for the singer, whose life crumbled following a terrifying public breakdown in 2007. As Closer previously reported, the rigorous dance routines in the show have helped Britney regain her size 8 figure, and it was hailed by critics and celebrities as a great success.
She’s also found love with 22-year-old fitness model Sam Asghari, who she met in October while filming the music video for Slumber Party.
A source says: “Britney is feeling confident and back to her best. She’s bounced back from an incredibly tough time, but the residency gave Britney the stability she needed to get her life back on track and find herself again. She had a strong focus, got her body in amazing shape and was praised by critics. She’s been able to rebuild herself and has made a miraculous recovery from her darkest days – but it didn’t happen overnight. She feels she’s turned her life around and proved she’s capable of making her own decisions. She wants to be strong and independent.”
FINDING THE ONE
It marks a turnaround for Britney, whose infamous meltdown reached its peak when she was placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold in 2008, and temporarily lost custody of her two sons Sean Preston, then two, and Jayden James, then 14 months, to her ex-husband Kevin Federline. She was also put under the care of her father Jamie Spears to manage her financial affairs and daily life – something that sources say Britney is now desperately keen to be released from. It’s been reported that Jamie pays himself over £100,000 a year out of Britney’s earnings, and it’s still unclear how long the arrangement will be in place.
A source says: “Britney hopes that a stable relationship will help her take back control of her life and feels that getting married will stop Jamie from being overprotective. But he’s very wary because she’s had a string of failed relationships, and the family find it hard to trust those
that come into Britney’s life.”
Britney has had an erratic love life. The singer, whose two-year marriage to Kevin ended in 2007, enjoyed an eightmonth fling with TV producer Charlie Ebersol in 2015 after accusing bartender boyfriend David Lucado of cheating on her in 2014. She was also briefly engaged to her manager Jason Trawick, before it was called off in 2013. Britney also married her school friend Jason Alexander in 2004 for just 55 hours before it was annulled.
A source says: “Despite all the heartache, Britney is a hopeless romantic and she feels as though Sam could be The One. She is desperate to have another child and would love a girl. Her dream would be settling down for a quiet life with Sam.”
HELL AND BACK
Following her divorce, Britney was mocked for gaining weight and was ridiculed when she performed at the 2007 MTV Awards, being described as “lacklustre” by critics – she later suffered a breakdown.
A source says: “Britney has been to hell and back, but she’s lived to tell the tale. Jamie still has some doubt over Britney’s mental health, and all she can do now is concentrate on strengthening her relationship with Sam in the hope that Jamie will give his approval on them getting married. Britney wants to take control of her future, and she’s never been in a better position to do so.”