Britney Spears’ Most Iconic Cameo Performances

Culture From The Simpsons to Pepsi commercials with original songs — in the 1990s and 2000s, Britney’s talent couldn’t be stopped. by Sophia June July 8, 2021

Britney Spears is currently fighting in court to end the conservatorship by her father , who since 2008 has been in control of her life decisions and finances. She’s announced she’s recently retired, which, fair, because this pop star has given us more than we deserve since her groundbreaking debut Hit Me Baby One More Time was released in 1999. But Britney gave us more than music: Here, we take a look back at some of the pop star’s greatest cameos — roles where she played herself or guest-starred, in some of the most decade-defining shows and movies of the time.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Season 4, Episode 1 (1999)

Britney gets magically zapped into Sabrina’s living room for a private performance of “You Drive Me Crazy,” which is by far the best use of magic ever used on this show. Sabrina isn’t enjoying the concert because she’s alone, and Britney tells her she knows what it’s like to be lonely. (Oof.) But then they dance together! (Paramount+) WB

Kenan & Kel (1999)

Britney plays herself, a self-described “teenage singing superstar,” who needs some hairspray backstage and Kel gives her green highlights. Cue the classic teen girl scream! (Paramount+) Nickelodeon

The Simpsons — Season 11, Episode 12 (2000)

Britney voices herself “teen sensation Britney Spears,” who’s hosting the Springfield Pride Awards show. She gets two standing ovations and when she gives the elderly man who wins an award a cheek kiss, he dies. She’s simply too powerful! (Disney+) Fox

“Joy of Pepsi” (2001)

Long before Kendall Jenner solved racism by handing a cop a Pepsi, Britney Spears created a generation of Pepsi lovers with her iconic, original song “The Joy of Pepsi,” with full choreography. Pepsi doesn’t deserve her! (YouTube) Pepsi

Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

Britney plays a fembot who performs “Boys,” has a dance-off with Austin Powers, and shoots bullets out of her bralette before Austin Powers makes her head explode, because she is in fact a robot. Pop stars don’t do it like this anymore! (Netflix, HBO Max) New Line

Pauly Shore Is Dead (2003)

In this brief cameo of the unhinged, fake documentary about the dwindling of Pauly Shore’s career, as the world celebrates Pauly Shore not actually being dead, Britney, as herself, keeps asking: “Who is Pauly Shore?” Then she realizes: “Oh, he was on MTV before me.” (Amazon Prime) 20th Century Fox

Will and Grace, Season 8, Episode 18 (2006)

Spears steals this scene from Jack (which is not easy to do!), playing a “lesbian into leather play” moonlighting as a conservative talk radio show host, with an exaggerated Southern accent, in what is her first acting performance on prime time TV. (Hulu) NBC

How I Met Your Mother, Season 3, Episode 13 (2008)

Britney is hilarious as Abby, the earnest receptionist at a tattoo removal clinic who gets a fat crush on Ted — in his dreams! (Hulu) CBS

Glee, Season 2, Episode 2 (2010)

This episode, dedicated entirely to Spears’ catalogue, is one of the greatest tributes to her work and is Glee at its best. The cheerleader Brittany has an anesthesia-fueled hallucination where the cast performs the best Britney Spears songs, and Britney makes a cameo as herself. Brittany tells Britney she’s really hot and her breath smells good, which is also what we would tell Britney Spears. (Netflix) Fox