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Spears released her third studio album Britney in November 2001. Although not as successful as her previous albums,^[39] she assumed some creative control by co-writing five of the album's tracks.^[45] It surpassed Michael Jackson's album Invincible when it had a successful debut at number one in the U.S. by selling 745,744 units during its first week.^[46] The album's success made her the only female artist in music history to have her first three albums debut at number one.^[47][48] The album fared well with britny spears nude photos critics such as Allmusic who gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, describing the album's title tracks as being "pivotal moments on Britney Spears's third album, the record where she strives to deepen her persona, making it more adult while still recognizably Britney."^[49] In contrast, Rolling Stone said of the album Britney "belabors the obvious: Spears is one month away from entering her twenties and clearly needs to grow up if she's going to bring her fans along."^[45]

Spears was an accomplished gymnast, attending gymnastics classes until age nine and competing in state-level competitions.^[12] She performed in local dance revues and sang in her local Baptist church choir. Spears entered New York City's Professional Performing Arts School when she was eight. At age eight she auditioned for the Disney Channel series The New Mickey Mouse Club. Although she was considered too young to join the series at the time, a producer on the show introduced her to a New York City agent.^{www.briney spears.com class="reference">[12]} Spears subsequently spent three summers at NYC's Professional Performing Arts School and also appeared in a number of off-Broadway productions. She was an understudy in the 1991 off-Broadway musical Ruthless!.^[12] In 1992, she landed a spot on the popular television show Star Search. She won the first round of competition, but ultimately lost. At age eleven, Spears returned to the Disney Channel for a spot on the The New Mickey Mouse Club in Lakeland, Florida.^[12] She was featured on the show from 1993 to 1994, until she was 13.^[13] After the show ended, Spears returned to Kentwood and attended high school for a year.^[14]

Spears's aunt Sandra Bridges Covington, with whom she had been very close, died of ovarian cancer on January 21, 2007.^[94] Spears then stayed in an off-shore drug rehabilitation facility in Antigua for less than 24 hours on February 16.^[95] The following night at a hair salon in Tarzana, California she shaved her head with electric clippers. A few days later, she admitted herself to another treatment facility in Malibu, California.^[96] While leaving the facility briefly, Britney Spears Porn Photos she quickly returned on February 22.^[97] The previous day, Kevin Federline had requested an emergency hearing regarding the custody of their children but then his attorney announced that Federline asked to cancel the court appearance. No further explanation was given.^[98] Spears filed for divorce from Federline on November 7, 2006, citing irreconcilable differences and asking for both physical and legal custody of their two children, with visitation rights for Federline.^[99] The following day, Federline filed a response to Spears's divorce petition, seeking physical and legal custody of their children.^[100] American attorney Laura Wasser was hired to represent Spears in the case.^[101] According to a representative for Federline's lawyer, the divorce filing "caught Kevin totally by surprise".^[102] The couple reached a global settlement agreement in March 2007 and their divorce was finalized in July.^[103][104] Throughout 2007, Spears's behavior received heightened media attention, including attacking a paparazzi vehicle with an umbrella.^[105] Spears left the rehabilitation center on March 20 according to her manager, who said she was released after "successfully completing their program."^[106] As the legal battle over the custody of their children continued, many members of her entourage have been summoned to testify about her parenting skills.^[107]