The Music Goes On Without Britney

Six years ago teen pop ruled the music universe and Britney Spears had the world eating out of the palm of her hand.  Now, following her tragic interview with Matt Lauer on "Dateline," she has the world wondering what went wrong.  With the hair, the makeup, the outfit and her "country" demeanor - Britney 2.0 is not your kid sister's pop princess!

Britney, Christina and Jessica
While Brit has been holed up in her Malibu mansion making babies with 'the Fed,' the rest of her teen pop peeps have been hard at work and will see new albums released in the upcoming months. Check out what your favorite pop idols have been up to as Britney's music career takes a pregnant pause.



Christina AguileraChristina Aguilera
From the beginning, she was labeled Britney's biggest competitor. While the former Mousketeer has always lagged in sales and popularity to Spears, she does have the pipes and the Grammys to back up her talent. 

Though Britney has endured a very public and high profile marriage, Christina took a more low key approach and stayed out of the spotlight while dating and marrying her husband Jordan Bratman.  As Britney awaits the arrival of her latest tater-tot, Christina has a hot new single, "Ain't No Other Man" burning up the charts and a double album, "Back to Basics," coming out on August 15.

Justin TimberlakeJustin Timberlake
Britney's former boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, enjoyed success as NSYNC's frontman and went on to more fame and fortune as a solo artist. His 2002 solo debut cd "Justified" sold over 3.5 million copies and won 2 Grammys. After his relationship with Spears ended, Justin fell into the beautiful arms of Cameron Diaz and has been with her for three years. 

Now, Justin's future looks even brighter. On top of having several films premiering this year, his second solo cd "Future Sex/LoveSounds" comes out September 12 and the first single "SexyBack" goes out to radio stations on July 7.

Jessica SimpsonJessica Simpson
Once considered just another Britney-clone, Simpson has emerged as a pop icon to be reckoned with.  While music is what put Jessica on the map, it was her marriage to Nick Lachey and their subsequent MTV reality show that really launched her to super stardom. 

Now that her film career and her high-profile divorce have made Simpson a staple in the weekly magazines, the blonde bombshell is ready to unleash her singing chops to her legions of fans once again.  Jessica's new album is due out in August and the video for the first single, "A Public Affair," will be helmed by "X-Men: The Last Stand" director Brett Ratner.

JC ChasezJC Chasez
Even Britney, Justin and Christina's former fellow Mousketeer JC Chasez is getting back into the game.  JC is set to release his second solo cd this fall, with the first single "Until Yesterday" expected to hit the airwaves in August. JC worked on the single with Timberlake - his former NSYNC bandmate.

As these pop stars ready for the next chapter of their musical careers, here's hoping Britney Spears-Federline can pull off a Mariah-style comeback in 2007.

Tags: Britney Spears Christina Aguilera Jessica Simpson Justin Timberl, BritneySpearsChristinaAguileraJessicaSimpsonJustinTimberlakeJcCh

Reader Comments

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31. I think Britney had talent; she was a great dancer and performer. Now as far as her singing goes, well, let's just say she deserved to get busted more than Asslee Simpson did. And some of her songs were fun and catchy, but you can tell that when they were recorded, there were so many back up singers and other things helping her along. I think we barely even really heard her real voice. Anyways, it wasn't ever about her voice. Let's face it, it was about her face and body. She had the perfect figure (which she did definetly work hard for)and her face is very symetrical. And you could practically drive a mac truck between those eyes! Of course, after she had her nose job, when she was like 16, her eyes appeared even bigger and farther apart. And supposedly that is considered a real beauty trait in woman. I always thought she just looked like your average girl next door...until the year 2000 or so. Then I was like wow...I'm freaking jealous. But now she is back to being just about average, like the rest of us. Which in a way is refeshing, since she IS a freaking multi millionare, worth like 100 mill or something...ok, I'm jealous again. But wait, she's married to Kfed. Ok, I'm not so jealous anymore. In a way I feel sorry for her, because I think things are going to be really rough for her over the next 5 years. But she did put herself in that position...taking another girl's man when they were expecting a baby soon. Thats serious bad karma. I think it will all come crashing down on her soon. And I don't think that she will ever be as hot or popular like before. I think those days are long gone. I mean come on, she was pop star...that never lasts. Like someone else said, I see her hawking stuff on QVC or something, like her own makeup or facial product line, in the next 10 years or so...and of course when she's really desperate...she'll probably finally turn to playboy when she's like 33 or something (and has had lots of plastic surgery). If she doesn't want lots of bad press right now, the least she could do is stop wearing bikinis out in public...it is just so wrong when you are that pregnant. She looks like a middle age man with a beer belly. Not that pregnant women can't be beautiful...they should just dress appropriately.

Posted at 5:02PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Autumn

32. Nobody stays #1. Anybody who is at the top enjoy it while you can. I will say I am not a fan of her I do feel bad for her. There are cameras following her everywhere. That has to get old.

Posted at 5:11PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Stan Heck

33. Really? Jessica Simpsion what talent does she have? I see the other ones Even if YOU ALL don't think Britney has talent she was a great performer and thats what Pop is all about. Britney will make a comeback. Its not like she was a one hit wonder before. She will always have an audience!

Posted at 5:40PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Megan

34. Because one voices an opinion does not mean one is jealous or a hater. Relax and chill out "Doesn't Matter". There are plenty of people out there who share YOUR OPINION of Brit and it is okay!

Posted at 5:43PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Wicked1

35. I think a comeback's possible, but won't happen for a long time. She used to be such a diva, and now she's trailer trash. People keep saying, "she just wants to be comfortble!!" Well, if you're going to be a celebrity, you have to always be aware of your appearance or else people ARE going to talk about you negatively. As for the sobbing on Matt Lauer's show, I just think she's got a case of the "poor me's" and needs to get over herself.

She'd better get her act together or else she'll be standing nex to Joan Rivers on QVC selling crappy cosmetics.

Posted at 5:46PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Savannah

36. I wouldn't say that Britney has no talent, she does have a little bit of talent. she appealed to younger audience at the time and that was fine, but as all of these kids have grown up I don't think she grew up too much. Her son is beautiful but I think her husband is just on the gravy train which she is willing to provide. I think she is an idiot for doing this but hey one day she might wake up and smell the coffee. As far as her interview with Matt Lauer I thought she showed very little class. The way she was dressed she looked like a mess and what was up with gum? When she did the Oprah interview she was chewing gum also, I'm surprised Oprah didn't say anything to her, it is one of Oprah's pet peeves. Ihope she smartens up some and maybe she will make a comeback. I do feel sorry for her though because the media does not leave her alone, her every move is scrutinized. I will her luck.

Posted at 5:51PM on Jun 20th 2006 by eileen

37. WHAT TALENT DID BRITNEY EVER HAVE!! NONE!!! OH YEAH SHE COULD DANCE AND THATS ABOUT IT...SINGING IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL WHAT SHE DID....THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND THE FOUR OTHERS MENTIONED IS THAT THEY CAN SING!! SERIOUSLY REALLY TAKE A LISTEN TO HER VOICE! IT WAS JUST IN DUE TIME THAT HER AUDIENCE WOULD GROW UP AND REALIZE WHAT REAL TALENT WAS!! DON'T MISTAKEN THE LOOKS AND DANCE SKILLS FOR REAL SINGING TALENT~!

Posted at 6:06PM on Jun 20th 2006 by NO

38. During the Dateline intervew, Britney looked like nothing more than a stereotypical prostitute you see in Lifetime movies. Britney, if you want to be taken seriously, then clean up your act! "Country" or redneck, actually is NOTHING to be proud of in Malibu, honey. Go back to your Kentwood home and park your trailer there. How the mighty have fallen!!

Posted at 6:13PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Lisa B

39. Was that Britney or Courtney Love (pre-rehab) talking to Matt Lauer? They could be sisters!!

Posted at 6:21PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Lisa B

40. Get rid of that leach called KFed. And Britney may have a chance. MAY'....

Posted at 6:45PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Magua'

41. I am not a huge fan of Britney but I do enjoy her songs, especially when I'm exercising. But to say that she has no talent is untrue...she is not a great singer but she is one of the best performers I have ever seen. I'm not talking about her musical performance but the dances and shows she puts on. They are some of the most amazing ones I have ever seen. She is talented in a different way. And people really need to just leave her alone. And to those that say those who like Britney are "country," they really need to check their spelling and not use vernacular language such as "u" instead of you. It makes your argument so much weaker.

Posted at 6:48PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Erin

42. Why is it that on Christina and Jessica's pics they are all dolled up and Britney they show the worse picture. Another example of unfair treatment for the girl. Did you see the pics of her in Miami she looks good for 7 months, she will come back. You Watch!

Posted at 6:50PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Down To Earth

43. Who can you think in something like that??? Off course she will comeback... you just need to be patient!!! Don't forget... Britney always hits the top spot... No matter what is the video... the song... always it turns in a hit! I'm just telling facts and you know it very well! So, what I don't understand is how people are so bad to each other!
Don't forget what I say... Britney will come back! You just need to wait... and when she comeback it will be like never ever... be sure of that... her fans still love her... and they will always stand up for her... Britney will shine again and surprise everyone...

Posted at 7:21PM on Jun 20th 2006 by Miguel

44. She can comeback! cause shes the only POP QUEEN! pop without Britney Sucks!!! shes just taking a break, to comeback stronger then ever... you´ll see guys!.... Britney Rocks!! Christina have the voice but shes a empty artist! same with Jessica! Britney is the ARTIST! BRITNEY ROCKS!!!!!!

Posted at 12:08AM on Jun 21st 2006 by Luis

45. BRITNEY CAN COMEBACK!!! SHES A POP ICON! YOU´LL SEE GUYS! SHES JUST TAKING A BREAK... SHE WILL COMEBACK STRONGER THEN EVER...

Posted at 12:09AM on Jun 21st 2006 by Luis

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