Though Britney was obviously born with certain innate qualities it was the early influence of important people in her life that gave her self-confidence, determination and a positive outlook on life. Britney took a major chance in pursuing stardom. There was plenty of disappointment along the way, but her perseverance, along with the encouragement of her family and friends, wouldn't allow her to get discouraged and she plowed on, until she made it to the top. When she looks back on her rise to fame, Britney always thanks the people who most helped her get there.
Britney Jean Spears was born the second of three children to a teacher, Lynn Spears, and a building constructor, Jamie Spears. Bryan is the eldest and Jamie Lynn is the youngest of the sublings. Lynn and Jamie were poor Southern Baptist parents, living in Kentwood, Luisiana, but Britney's future was so important to her family that they spent everything they had sending her to performing camps in New York, neglecting their own necessities, driving them into bankruptcy and costing them their car and land.
The Spears were both locals - they attended Kentwood High School together. The family especially delighted to have a girl because Lynn's sublings, Sandra and Barney, both had boys, as did Jamie sublings. So Britney was a something of a golden child from the start. The Spears family's girl shortage would be quickly reminded. Sandra was pregnant at the same time and she also wounded up holding a daughter Laura Lynn, who would become Britney's closest friend.
When Britney was preparing herself for the road to fame, all was not going so smoothly on the home-front. With so much money spent on her career and for the trips to New York city and expensive performing schools, Lynn and Jamie had never been able to earn enough to offset the expenses. On July 17, 1998, they hit rock bottom and field for bankruptcy. The Spears' financial downfall didn't happen overnight, but was actually eight years in the making, trailing downward in almost direct proportion to Britney's career ascent. The financial problems that begun in 1990 hit their first harsh road bump in late 1994, when Jamie and Lynn, along with two partners, defaulted on a $53,000 mortgage for some land they owned near their home. The property was seized by Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff and auctioned off on the courthouse steps early the following year. The difficulties grew over the next few years and in October, 1997, the sheriff returned to haul off the family's 1993 Ford Probe and auctioned it off on the same courthouse. The car went for $2000 and even after the car sold, the Spears family still owed more than $10,000 to Ford Motor Company.
Britney was devastated by her parents' financial problems. She blamed herself for her parents spending so much money on trying to make her famous. By the time the Spears declared bankruptcy, they owed for a lot more than just a car and property. All the lessons Britney had taken at New York schools took their toll. Jamie earned only $14,000 and Lynne earned $8,000 in 1998. In a sign of desperation, Jamie tried to convert a barn next to their home into a health club he called "Total Fitness" by Jamie. But he wasn't much of a businessman. They didn't have much equipment and they wanted people to pay a lot of money upfront to join, so they didn't have many customers. The club folded after only a few months. The Spears family's financial troubles would be over a lot sooner than they imagined. In fall of 1998 Britney released her hit "...Baby One More Time."
But in May of 2002, the life of the Spears family took another sharp turn. Britney was getting ready to start her tour, when she received some bad news - Jamie and Lynn Spears were getting a divorce after 30 years of marriage. Britney was trying to coax her parents to keep their marriage together. She was trying to convince her parents that they belong together. Britney was even ready to call off her tour and it was really tense backstage hours before the first show. Jamie moved out of their $4.5 million Kentwood mansion and back into the old Spears family home, which they wound up not selling. But Jamie denied the split, despite all evidence to the contrary. People in Kentwood said that everyone seemed to know that the marriage was over. They no longer were together. A few months after the divorce was announced, Britney said that it was the best thing ever happened to her family, because her parents were no getting along, they argued. Britney wanted this to happen 10 years ago. "Sometimes two people, no matter how in love they are, can't make it work. It's sad, but you can fall out of love. Trust me - I know. I've been there. It's really weird how one minute you can be so in love with someone - and then it's gone, just like that. For my mom and dad, their marriage just didn't click anymore," she said.
Two years later Lynn was spending more time in Los Angeles and friends observed that Jamie and Lynne were getting on better then they had for years. Lynn was still looking after Britney's sister Jamie Lynn, but her youngest daughter's career was thriving even more than Britney's was at a young age. Jamie Lynn, looking even more like a mini-Britney, was appearing an a Nickelodeon show called "Zoe 101" and was splitting her time between Los Angeles and McCoumb, where she still attended "Parklane Academy".
Mother
Full Name: Lynne Irene Spears (maiden name Bridges);
Date of Birth: May 4, 1956;
When Barney Bridges, a handsome young Southerner, was in London he met a vivacious girl, Lillian Portell at a Royal Opera House where was a dancehall. Lillian, an electrician's daughter from East Finchley, loved to go out dancing with her sister Joan. Barney and Lillian started a romance which ended with marriage. Sisters' mother was really unpset with this knot because Lillian left to start a new life in Louisiana. Lillan and Barney had three children, Barry, Sandra and Lynne, mother of Britney Spears. Barney had died three years before Britney was born, and Lillian died in 1993, before Britney became a superstar.
What Britney and Lynne had between them was something rare. Growing up, Britney knew so many girls who used to fight all the time with their moms - over everything: boys, clothes, curfews - and that used to make her really sad. Britney wished all children could have a mom like hers because Lynn is the strongest, bravest, and the most generous person in the world. Lynne has always had all the time in the world for her daughter Britney.
Lynne was the one who brought Britney to Now York for three summers to study at the Professional Children's School and at the "Broadway Dance Cente"r. During this time, Lynne helped Britney land a spot on "Star Search". When the she didn't win, mother was there to lift her spirits and encourage her to keep trying. The pep talks worked, because before long, Britney landed her big break: a role on "The New Mickey Mouse Club." Lynne was by Britney's side through all the rehearsals and episode tapings and stayed right with her girl as the show got cancelled and Britney went back to school.
As Britney has grown into a success and now a worldwide icon, Lynn continued to bo her biggest fan and supporter. Her mother helped out with daughter's business affairs, and when Britney had time she came home. In 2000, they even published a book together, "Heart to Heart", in which Britney calls her mom "my best friend".
But the happyness cannot last forever, and not everything is perfect in Britney's relationship with her mom nowadays. After filing divorce from her husband Kevin Federline in November 2006, Britney totally changed her life-style, becoming a common person of the night-life. This led her to breakdown, shaving her head and, finally, rehab. Britney's estrangement from her mom began in February, 2007, when Lynne dropped Brit off at rehab. Since then, she's only grown angrier at her mother. She believes that Lynne has consistently sided with her ex-husband Kevin Federline in their battle for custody of their sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James.
Britney decided to cut her mother out of her life because she blames her for all that's wrong in her life. Right now mother and daughter do not speak. Lynn is really concerned about Britney.
Father
Full Name: James Parnall Spears;
Date of Birth: June 7, 1952:
Britney's grandfather, June Spears, was born in 1930. He was married in 1950. His wife Emma Jean Forbes was 4 years younger him. 2 years after marriage their first son, James Parnall, was born. Then they had Willie and June. Jamie's mother died in 1966 (he was just 14).
The Spears clan is one of the biggest in Kentwood. Papaw June, as he is known, has the physical characteristics with both Britney's father and brother possess. He was a very straightforward person and that was the nature is something his son Jamie inherited. Like many couples in the area he met his future wife Lynne when they were both at high school. Lynn was 18 when they married, had her son Bryan, when she was 21 and longed for a daughter. They settled down to life in Kentwood in a very comfortable middle-class home.
Jamie's contracting business, along with mom's teaching, helped pay for all those dancing and singing lessons as well. Jamie worked a building constructor and he wasn't home very often, but visited his family any time he could. Jamie doesn't like the spotlight, so he prefers to stay away from everything.
If Britney had not become one of the most famous women in the world, then the spotlight would almost certainly have never fallen on Jamie Spears. He was just an ordinary Southern man who liked sport, drink beer and keep guns. He never gives interviews or appears on television. After the failure of his business and subsequent bankruptcy, he was looking for something to do with the rest of his life.
Britney loved her daddy and wanted him to be happy, but she was going through the worst year in her life, when parents divorced and she couldn't even help herself.
One of the most dramatic things in Britney's father life was the rehabilitation. His life, which had seemed out of control with reports of heavy drinking and partying, was sorted out behind the scenes with a move to Los Angeles. He went into a rehab clinic in the summer of 2004 and emerged to start a new business in Venice Beach. He bought a sandwich and smoothie cafe called "J.J. Chill" which was soon thriving. Despite his very masculine image Jamie has always been the most adept of the Spears family in the kitchen. Britney reveals his skill in the notes to her album "Britney" in which she declares "Daddy I love you so much, especially when you cook for me!"
But nothing cannot last long, even a good relationship between daughter and father. It's strained now. He blasted Britney when wrote an open e-mail to her former manager Larry Rudolph - who the singer fired on April 13, 2007 - apologising for Britney's behaviour and thanking him for all he tried to do for his daughter. Britney revealed that the men of her past aren’t worthy of any sweetness. In her statement she said, “It’s sad that all the men that have been in my life do not know how to accept a real woman’s love."
Right now father and daughter do not speak.
Brother
Full Name: Bryan Spears;
Date of Birth: April 19, 1977;
Aside from being Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears' older brother, this guy has appeared alongside the two sisters for their bumpy ride into stardom.
Brian, a sports lover, who would eventually excel in both football and karate, would virtually fly to the roof of their 3-bedroom cottage-style house pretending to be a ninja hunter, Britney would sing, dance and do back flips throughout the house. The Spears home was not a good place to get some rest.
As a teenager, Bryan was an excellent athlete, playing baseball, basketball and football. He learned first hand of his sister's dogged determination when he yelled at her to quiet down her singing while he was trying to do his homework. Aside from being the oldest child, Bryan suffered from severe asthma as a kid. This condition required a lot of his parents' attention and thus Britney could not hog the family spotlight. Once Jamie Lynn was born, the spotlight would have to be further shared.
When Britney got to be a teenager, Bryan made sure he watched over her whenever their parents couldn't. One night when Britney was just 14 years old she decided to sneak out and go with a few of her girlfriends over to some boy's house in McComb, a town nearby. And Bryan followed them, and they tattled. Her punishment was walking around the neighborhood with a bucket and picking up trash on the ground for the whole day. She cried the whole time and Bryan took pictures of her - just so she wouldn't forget what happens when she breaks curfew.
Bryan often acted as Britney's protector. In high school all those boys were wanting to ask Britney out, but they had to get not just Daddy's approval but his as well. Bryan was a big football player, so a lot of boys chickened out because they were afraid of him. Bryan may also be indirectly responsible for Britney being humble. "Once Britney made up her mind to do something look out!" he warns. "You'd better believe she's going to do it. Just stand back and give my sister some room."
Whenever Britney comes home now, it's the same Britney. Brother and sister still fight because he knows what to say to her to get her real steamed. Bryan expected that Britney would be famous one day - but not this young. He thought maybe by age 25 she'd have an album out there. And he is proud of his baby sister.
Later Britney not only financed the building of a new family house In Louisiana but bought her big brother an apartment in New York City. Bryan, now 30, worked in sports rehab and lived in New York with his ex-girlfriend Blaize.
Several years ago he's was dating dancer Jenna Dewan. The two of them met at his 27th birthday party. Britney actually hooked them up because Bryan has had a crush on Jenna for the longest time. In 2005 Bryan became a producer of the show "Zoey-101" starring his little sister Jamie Lynn. Right now he is an uncle of Sean Preston Federline and Jayden James Federline, Britney's children.
Sister
Full Name: Jamie Lynn Marie Spears
Date of Birth: April 4, 1991;
Unlike many star siblings, teen actress and singer Jamie Lynn Spears managed to step out of the long shadow cast by her older sister, pop phenomenon Britney Spears, and enjoy her own career success as a likable teen idol on the popular TV show, "Zoey 101".
Born on April 4, 1991 in McComb, MS, Jamie Lynn was the youngest of three children born to Jamie and Lynne Spears (whose first names were combined to create hers). While still a baby, Spears moved from her hometown of Kentwood, LA, to New York City with her mother and older sister in an effort to build Britney’s music career.
Britney describes her little sister as a "mini-me," and with good reason. Aside from also possessing a strong singing voice and energy to spare, the little one looks nearly identical to Britney at the same age. And Lynne's thought that she may have a future in stardom as well. Jamie Lynn also took gymnastics and dance classes and since she travels with her sister whenever she can, she's seen what the business is like up close. She also liked all the things normal kids love to do: playing softball, collecting dolls and spending time with her many friends. "My little sister, she's such a spitfire, there's no telling what she'll do. When I was younger, I was shy and soft-spoken, but not her. She can sing really well, but she's like a homebody," said Britney. And Jamie Lynn knows how to tickle her funny bone. Whether it’s doing impersonations or making funny faces, Brit's little sis knows how to make her laugh!
When Britney did hit big in the late '90s, Jamie Lynn began expressing interest in following in her sister’s performing footsteps. At first, the youngster began popping up in her sisters' projects. Her first on-screen appearance came in the 2001 concert movie, "Totally Britney Live". She also turned up in a Pepsi commercial with her sister in that same year, as well as playing a younger version of Britney’s character in her film debut, "Crossroads".
Jamie Lynn made public in an interview her desire to join the cast of the venerable Nickelodeon sketch comedy show, "All That" (1994-2005). Whether this is the case or not, Spears joined the cast in 2002, and remained with the show until its final season in 2004. Though some critics and fans were less than impressed with Jamie Lynn's performance on "All That", she clearly resonated with the majority of viewers, who nominated her for both a "Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards" as "Best Television Actress", and for a "Young Artist Award", which she shared with the rest of her cast-mates. Spears also was a guest on several other programs during this time, including the ABC Family reality series, "Switched!" (2003-04), and Nickelodeon-related specials.
Jamie Lynn has said before in interviews that she has musical ambitions. In 2002, she sang guest vocals on Triple Image, a girls group cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" which was released as a single to radio stations. Spears sings the theme song for Zoey 101, called "Follow Me", which was written by her sister, Britney Spears.
Following the series wrap of "All That", Spears was given her own show in 2005 - "Zoey 101". The show follows Spears as Zoey Brooks, one of a group of girls attending a formerly all-boys boarding school. In addition to her role as Zoey, Jamie Lynn also co-wrote and sang the show’s theme song. The program proved extremely popular among teen audiences, which helped make it the third most-watched program on the network, and earning Spears a "Young Artist Award" in 2005 for "Best Ensemble Cast". The blossoming star was also nominated for a "Teen Choice Award" that same year for "Best Breakout Female Performance".
In 2006, the popularity of "Zoey 101" spawned an hour-long special feature, "Zoey 101: Spring Break-Up", which introduced an element of romance between Spears’ character and cast-mate Sean Flynn’s character, Chase Matthews.
She sings. She dances. She acts. And just like millions of other girls, she idolizes Britney Spears. The only difference? Britney's not just her favorite singer, she's also her older sister. "The special relationship that my sister and I share is that I can tell her anything that's wrong, and she'll help," says Jamie Lynn, who is hoping to see her own star shoot across the Hollywood sky. And she says, famous or not, "Britney hasn't changed since she left. I mean, she is the nicest country girl you'll ever meet. She would do anything for me, and we share a special relationship." Britney feels the same way, she looks at her sister as well, and she feels that she needed to be with her sister more.
Uncles, Aunts and Cousins
Lynn's Relatives
There are many people who have had a positive influence on Britney besides her immediate family. Lynne's sister Sandra (Brit's aunt) and her family have always been very close to the Spears clan. Sandra (died of breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 59), Uncle Reggie and cousins Todd and Laura Lynne have often shared holidays, birthdays and other occasions with Britney's family.
Cousin Laura Lynne Covington, who's almost the same age as Britney, has been one of her best friends over the years. She and Britney have formed a tightly knit coterie from little girls to young woman. The two grew up together and were even taking dance lessons together. Britney and Laura Lynn have been the best of Mends since the day they were born. They had the greatest memories of growing up together.
Britney spent lots of time with Laura Lynn and the two did many things together that normal kids do, like ride go-karts and play with their doll collections. Britney, Laura Lynn and some friends would hold doll pageants, where girls would pit their their dolls against each other in beauty pageants and talent contests. There were judges and all the girls took it way too seriously, because if a girl showed up without her doll, she couldn't play.
Britney was just like a sister to her, and Laura Lynn never doubted for one minute that Britney would be a star one day. But to Laura Lynn Britney is just Britney. When she's home. they hanging out like the old days, goofing around, talking about life and everything. They have the greatest memories and they shared everything, especially clothes.
Britney's other close fiends from growing up in Kentwood are Jansen, Courtney, Wendy, Erin and Elizabeth - often come along on tour. When Brit comes home during breaks, the girls are always eager to get together and catch up. In between visits, Brit stays in touch through e-mail and cell phone calls.
Whenever Britney wants to get away from the whole celebrity scene, she calls on her best friend Laura Lynn. They talk a few times a week, depending on what Britney's schedule is. Laura Lynn visits Britney as much as she can. They shop, work out and just relax. Laura Lynn trusts Britney because it's hard to find people who are really honest and sincere with each other.
When Britney watches a movie with her cousin she never knows what's going on and always asks many questions, so Laura Lynn ends up not knowing what is going on in the film also. Laura knows how to make Britney smile and what sends tears streaming down her face. Laura Lynn still thinks that Britney is sweet, kind, fun and talented despite all the stardom and fame.
Lynne's sister Sandra Covington, was battling ovarian cancer and underwent a bone marrow transplant. Sandra was like a second mother to Britney. Lynne was praying for her sister, but unfortunately in the beginning of 2007 Sandra died of cancer at the age of 59.
Dave Woolmore and Britney's mum Lynne are cousins. Dave's mum Joan and her sister Lilian were inseparable - until Lilian met G.I. Barney Bridges and followed him back to his Louisiana farm. Lilian and Barney went on to have three children. Joan also had three children - Dave and his two brothers Darrell and Dale. One of Darrell's daughters Stacey Woolmore even looks like Britney and dreams of being a professional singer just like her second cousin. Stacey has three sisters, Donna, Keara and Ashley. All her sisters are just as star-struck. But so far none of Stacey's side of the family have had a chance to meet Britney.
Uncle Dave, first met Britney when the star was just six years old, taking his children Sarah, Michael and Laura on a holiday to see Lynne in Louisiana in 1988. Britney's exhausting schedule has meant the two sides of the family have not kept in touch as much as they would like, but Dave and Sarah dashed up to London to meet her when she was in Britain to promote the single "Sometimes". It was the first time they had met since Britney was six - but she still spotted them, falling into Dave's arms. He and Sarah spent the day dashing round with Britney as she fulfilled a seemingly endless list of dates and recording sessions. In 1999 Dave's son Michael flew out to the USA to spend a week with Lynne and Britney.
Laura's cousins Nikki, Jake and Luke who live in Northolt with dad Dale and their mum Sheena are hoping to catch up with Britney soon.
Jamie's Relatives
Britney has a dark family secret - two of her uncles are ex-cons with long rap-sheets for crimes in three states.
While Britney has amassed a fortune living the glamorous life, one of her uncles, William Bacot Spears, is known as "Road Kill Willie" because he likes to scoop up critters that have been hit by cars and cook them for dinner! William Bacot has been busted for burglary, drug distribution and being a deadbeat dad, according to court records. He is the brother of Britney's father Jamie. Britney's other uncle, June Spears, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, driving under the influence and beating his wife, say court records.
Britney avoids her uncles whenever she goes home to Kentwood, LA. (And she never dines with uncle Willie). Britney's uncles are a couple of the biggest outlaws in Kentwood. Willie spends most of the time living in tents and camper trailers or sleeping in cars. Until recently, Willie was living in an 18-foot trailer on a riverbank outside of Kentwood but Willie got hard up for cash and ended up selling his trailer for $60. These days he sleeps in his van or stays with friends.
June lives about the same way as Willie, squatting anywhere he can. Britney's dad sometimes gave Willie and June work with his construction company but the pair fought so much, one of them usually had to go. Mostly the brothers just pick up odd jobs - and try to stay out of jail - unsuccessfully.
According to legal papers Willie was charged in Mississippi with two criminal felony counts of burglary in January 1982. He pleaded guilty and got five years probation, 60-hours of community service and a $150 fine. In January 1992, court records state William Bacot was busted for distribution of marijuana. He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation for three years and fined $500. The following year, he was cited for trespassing while fishing on private property. He was given probation, fined, and ordered to pay court costs, according to legal papers. Willie was slapped with contempt of court in Louisiana after he fell behind on his $153-amonth child support payments to his ex-wife Louise, according to a court order.
June's criminal record is even more shocking. In September 1991, June's then-wife Jodi filed for a restraining order against him after he allegedly kicked her in the head and chest, hit her with a cast he was wearing on his arm, and threatened to kill her. In 1993, June was charged with committing battery against Jodi, as well as two counts of disturbing the peace. The case was later dismissed. In 1998, police in Memphis, Tennessee, arrested Britney's uncle for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, public intoxication, and reckless driving, say court records. After pleading guilty to DUI, the other charges were dropped. On December 6, 1999, he was hit with a felony charge of aggravated assault after pulling a 22 caliber rifle on a man during an argument. He pleaded guilty and received a lesser charge of misdemeanor assault. He was sentenced to 90 days in a workhouse and given a $500 fine.
Incredibly, despite their long rap sheets, the pair think it's wrong for Britney to act like they don't exist. Both of Britney's uncles are proud of her accomplishments, but they're also disappointed that she barely acknowledges them. William and June never asked Britney to help them with anything. They just wish she'd remember where she came from and treat them like family again.
Genealogic Tree
Click the image to enlarge
