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BRITNEY SPEARS
Born December 2, 1981, in Kentwood, Louisiana, the "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" singer now lays claim to full womanhood status with the landmark birthday.
Per her publicist's office, Spears was spending the day with family. No details on what kind of bash, if any, were planned. In Spears' native Kentwood, an official said no activities were scheduled to commemorate the native daughter's birthday.
Leave it to the popster's official Website to mark the occasion with a special front door featuring fan B-day greetings ("I'm from Ecuador. In my country, people love and suport [sic] you.") and a gallery of photos depicting little Britney's evolution to big-python-wearing Britney.
The very special birthday comes at a crossroads in the MTV icon's career--a crossroads brought about by projects like Crossroads.
By the standards of a mere mortal, Britney's 2002 was a spectacular year. She starred in a movie, opened a restaurant and headlined a world tour.
By Spears' standards, the year to date has been a bummer. The movie, Crossroads, made a non-blockbuster million. The restaurant, the Manhattan-based NYLA, struggled (while still open for business, Spears has washed her hands of it). And the world tour, in support of the so-so-selling Britney, melted down in Mexico City, the final stop, when she called it a night after performing all of five songs. (In her defense, there was a little bit of a lightning storm going on at the time.)
The Britster's woes bled into her personal life: She broke up with pop-star boyfriend Justin Timberlake and watched her parents head for divorce court.
On the plus side, she did sign a deal to star in a flick about stock-car racing. (At least we think that's supposed to be a good thing...)
Following the end of her tour, Spears announced plans for a six-month show-biz sabbatical. She has kept to her lying-low promise, save for a few photo ops in the company of her new fashion fairy godmother, Donatella Versace.
Whether Spears can transition from teen pop sensation to grown-up entertainer remains to be seen. To be sure, she managed the jump from Mouseketeer moppet to superstar pop tart, selling 13 million copies with her 1999 debut album, ...Baby One More Time.
If her fans fail to grow older with her, Spears can take heart: There's more to the world than fame, fortune and Rolling Stone covers.
As a newly minted 21-year-old, Spears can now legally buy an alcoholic beverage in any fine establishment or dive bar in the contiguous 48, plus Hawaii and Alaska. (In an interview last summer, Spears already sounded the seasoned imbiber, touting the joys of drinking, not to mention sex and smoking.)
Other benefits of being 21: In Arkansas, Spears can treat an 11-year-old to a Jet Ski outing on the high seas, provided she, as the responsible adult, can grab the controls at any time; in New Jersey, she can serve in the state's general assembly (although, she'll have to wait until she's 30 to run for state senate); in Maryland, she can apply to serve on Prince George County's Police Department.
On Gunbroker.com ("the Web's Largest Hunting and Sport Shooting Auction"), Spears can purchase pistol ammunition; on Switchblade.com, she can spring for a, yes, switchblade; and, per federal law, she can legally buy a handgun.
The lesson: If Spears is going to have to fight for her career, at least she has the option of being armed to the teeth.
THE FACTS
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BRITNEY SPEARS STALKED AGAIN
By Lia Haberman
Dec 10, 2002, 1:05 PM PT
Britney Spears to alleged stalker: "We're not more than friends."
The pop princess, who's spent the last few months on hiatus, is seeking a restraining order against one overly amorous fan.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
Masahiko Shizawa has allegedly been stalking Spears since September, tracking her from Los Angeles to Louisiana and sending love letters and photos.
The 41-year-old from Yokohama, Japan, sent photos of himself along with "love notes" telling Spears, "I'm chasing you," according to court documents filed by Spears' lawyer Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The alleged slave 4 Spears has also made "numerous attempts to contact" the singer at her Los Angeles digs, even trying to bust into the popster's palace, the lawyer claims. Shizawa's also "tracked her" to her divorced parents' Louisiana homes, as well as her other domiciles across the country.
If the singer's request for a restraining order is granted Shizawa could soon find his travel options severely limited. Spears wants him to be kept 1,000 yards away from her house, workplace, car, and "any other location [Spears] might travel to within or outside" the country.
The injunction could also cost Shizawa: Spears is seeking unspecified attorneys fees and legal costs. A hearing is scheduled for January 24.
This isn't the first time Spears has been bothered by an unwanted houseguest. An unidentified man was found camping out in the carport of Spears' Hollywood home last February. No charges were filed. It's not known if this was the same man listed in Spears' current court petition.
Attempts to reach Spears' attorney were unsuccessful. Spears's publicist, Lisa Kasteler, would not comment "for security reasons."
Britney's been busy in the past few weeks. When not in court battling stalkers the songstress has been celebrating her 21st birthday and severing ties to her dud of a restaurant, Nyla.
The former restaurateur is now hard at work on her next album.
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THE FACTS
Birth Name: Britney Jean Spears
Birthdate: December 2, 1981
Birthplace: Kentwood, Louisiana
Occupations: Actor, Musician
Claim to Fame: Debut hit single "Baby One More Time" (1999)
Significant Other(s):
Justin Timberlake, singer; member of 'N Sync
Jason Geddert; dated 1997
Family:
Father: Jamie, building contractor
Mother: Lynne, teacher
Brother: Bryan; born 1977
Sister: Jamie Lynn; born 1990
Factoids:
Former member of the Mickey Mouse Club (1992-1994); fellow club members included Christina Aguilera, J.C. and Justin of 'N Sync and Felicity's Keri Russell
Education:
Off-Broadway Dance Center, New York, New York
Professional Performing Arts School, New York, New York; attended for three summers
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