Britney Spears’ mental health came under heavy scrutiny following her performance of Gimme More at the 2007 VMAs – in which the disoriented star sloppily mimed and appeared to forget dance moves.
But an unearthed clip of the star’s dress rehearsals for the now iconic performance shows Britney delivering an impeccable routine, in stark contrast to the shabby performance she put on that night, leaving fans stunned until now.
In her explosive memoir, The Woman In Me, the star revealed that she had an extremely awkward backstage altercation with ex Justin Timberlake before her performance, writing: ‘It had been a while since I’d seen him. Everything was going great in his world.
“He was at the top of his game in every way, and he had a lot of swagger. I had a panic attack. I hadn’t rehearsed enough. I hated the way I looked. I knew it was going to be bad.”
Before the run-in, Spears looked polished and cheerful during her dress rehearsals for the performance, at one point wearing a large hat and jeans for one run — before wearing her famous sparkling lingerie with her hair in a ponytail.
Iconic: Britney Spears’ mental health came under heavy scrutiny after her performance of Gimme More at the 2007 VMAs (right) – but an unearthed clip of the star’s dress rehearsals (left) for the now iconic performance shows that Britney performs an impeccable routine
Give me more: Before meeting Justin Timberlake, Spears looked polished and cheerful during her dress rehearsals for the performance (top) compared to the performance (bottom)
Awkward: In her explosive memoir, The Woman In Me, the star revealed she had an extremely awkward backstage altercation with ex Justin Timberlake before her performance (photo 2007)
Spears looked noticeably more energetic and happier during the dress rehearsal, leaving fans saying, “Damn, this rehearsal is better than the final performance… she’s clearly showing her emotion here… look at her face, she really has it fancy.’
Another wrote: ‘I can’t wait to hear her story behind this performance now that she’s free to speak. Something definitely happened between the rehearsal and the actual performance
Others wrote: ‘She looked much better in a ponytail and jeans. I don’t know why they finally released her with this haircut and clothes. but Britney is a legendary icon anyway!
“Only Britney has iconic rehearsal” and “The first rehearsals looked pretty good.” It appears that performance deteriorated by the time the actual performance occurred.”
After taking the stage in nothing more than her underwear and with extremely visible hair extensions from shaving her head months ago, the singer’s big comeback came to an abrupt halt.
The performance shocked fans and was universally panned by audiences and critics.
She wrote about the moment: ‘There was a problem with my costume and with my hair extensions. I hadn’t slept the night before. I was dizzy. It had been less than a year since I had my second baby in two years, but everyone acted like it was offensive that I didn’t have six-pack abs.
‘I couldn’t believe I would have to go on stage with the feeling I felt.
Experimenting: Spears donned a large hat in one rehearsal and tied her locks back in another
Looking good: The star showed off her now famous stage outfit as she made her way through the routine
Different look: The star also wore jeans and a crop top for another rehearsal
Difference: Spears looked noticeably more energetic and happier during the dress rehearsal, leaving fans saying, ‘Damn, this rehearsal is better than the final performance
Give me more! The star performed the song during the dress rehearsal (above)
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“I went out there and did my best at the time, which – yes, admittedly – was far from my best at other times. I could see myself on video across the hall as I performed; it was like looking at myself in a fun mirror.’
Months after her VMA performance in January 2008, Spears was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after police arrived at her home – after she locked herself in a bathroom with her sons and refused to hand them over to Federline – noticed that she seemed to be under surveillance. influence.
Federline was given sole legal and physical custody and Spears was placed in a 5150 involuntary psychiatric hold and admitted to the psychiatric ward of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Spears would regain visitation rights for her sons in July 2008 and began returning to the spotlight with a documentary and TV appearances.
She occasionally shared snaps of her with the boys over the years — beaming at the camera at a baseball game, celebrating birthday dinners, splashing around in a pool — hinting at a tender bond forged between mother and sons.
But Federline reportedly received 70 percent custody in 2019.
Notably, Kevin now has full custody of their two boys and recently made the decision to move the family from Los Angeles to Hawaii.
