America has watched Britney Spears grow from an innocent schoolgirl in her debut video, “Baby One More Time,” to a constantly criticized, but nonetheless always popular, mother of two.

Britney Jean Spears was born on December 2, 1981, in Kentwood, Louisiana. She made her first national appearance on Star Search in 1990, at the age of eight. Spears then auditioned for the New Mickey Mouse Club, but the producers felt she was too young for the show. For the next three years, Britney studied at New York’s Professional Performing Arts School, appearing in commercials and an off-Broadway play.

In 1993, she auditioned for Mickey Mouse again and landed the role. The cast included Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Christina Aguilera, and Felicity’s Keri Russell. The show was cancelled in 1996, and Britney went back home. She returned to New York in 1998 and recorded a demo.