How different would the music industry and pop culture have been had Britney decided to not be famous?

[DignifiedLove]

Would teen pop not have been as prominent?

Would being thin and blonde not be a trend in the 2000s?

Would have other teen pop acts like Jessica, Christina, Mandy and Willa be more famous?

Would the ‘good girl gone bad’ image not have existed?

Would influencer culture not have existed?

Discuss.

 

[princessmimi]

I do think the music industry wouldn't be the same without her because

like you brought up, she was a major part in why teen pop was popular and why she had so much competition.

Britney was unique when she came out because she put effort into performing and choreography, nobody else did that (Janet Jackson probably) before her.

I also think she was the first female star to do the whole good girl gone bad transformation.

So yeah thats what I think

[HearMeOnYourRadio]

Honestly bleak.  Everyone was so desperately trying to be “bad” and “edgy” in the most desperate way. Britney always had a sense about her that was the cool girl who was always nice to you. 

[MikeHunt]

There would’ve been WW3 and I would’ve been a heteroséxual. 

[ElectricPlatypusLove]

I believe things would be extremely different but just to clarify Britney did not make being "blonde and thin" a thing. She did re-invent the midriff though and put a lot of emphasis on tummies--but I always thought she was more an inspiration to be athletic than "skinny".

I think pop music would be unfathomable without her. She became a cornerstone and trendsetter immediately. And by her 3rd album she was truly setting musical trends followed by countless other artists. 

 

I would be someone completely different without her because her music and life story have greatly impacted me in very formative years.

[IsraeliMatt]

9 minutes ago, ElectricPlatypusLove said:

but I always thought she was more an inspiration to be athletic than "skinny".

 

Strongly agree and I love that about Britney. 

[ElectricPlatypusLove]

27 minutes ago, mattdw said:

Strongly agree and I love that about Britney. 

She actually broke the mold as the nineties were totally about 'heroine chic' and unbearably skinny unhealthy looking girls and Britney presented a much healthier body image/beauty inspiration, achievable through far healthier habits.

 

[devilsadvocate]

Madonna came out when MTV did 

Britney came out when internet started 

Taylor came out when social media started 

each shaped the landscape of how new platforms can be utilized to sell records. 
 

curious who the female VR singer will be 

[ElectricPlatypusLove]

3 minutes ago, devilsadvocate said:

 

curious who the female VR singer will be 

She's already been here

[RebellionSparkles]

Music hasn’t fully evolved to where it should be due to Britney’s influence. Britney’s fame has always been a distraction from her music creation. 
Britney was an incredible artist at the forefront of a world that was merging together. Toxic! The Bollywood influence…even today Bollywood influence is rare in music.

From my perspective, people who didn’t understand Britney’s music used her fame as an excuse to s.hit on her. So the “anti Britney” music was a terrible step backyards toward country music.

And I think Britney hates being famous. Given the choice, I think she would have chosen to be Max Martin instead of Britney Spears.

[RebellionSparkles]

24 minutes ago, ElectricPlatypusLove said:

She actually broke the mold as the nineties were totally about 'heroine chic' and unbearably skinny unhealthy looking girls and Britney presented a much healthier body image/beauty inspiration, achievable through far healthier habits.

 

I almost forgot about heroine chic! That’s why magazines called her the f word. She had enough muscle to do a backhand spring 

Kate Moss was this moment 

[jordeezy river red]

Geri Halliwell may have been more popular as she had just went solo and was making waves. IDK who would have ended up with  BOMT as TLC had already passed on it too. I think girl group would have dominated more like boy bands did but Britney made it trendier for glam solo acts. 

[IsraeliMatt]

1 hour ago, RebellionSparkles said:

Music hasn’t fully evolved to where it should be due to Britney’s influence. Britney’s fame has always been a distraction from her music creation. 
Britney was an incredible artist at the forefront of a world that was merging together. Toxic! The Bollywood influence…even today Bollywood influence is rare in music.

From my perspective, people who didn’t understand Britney’s music used her fame as an excuse to s.hit on her. So the “anti Britney” music was a terrible step backyards toward country music.

And I think Britney hates being famous. Given the choice, I think she would have chosen to be Max Martin instead of Britney Spears.

Interesting perspective. I also love Britney for her music first and foremost and have always thought people didn't give it the consideration it deserved. Agreed that she hates being famous, more or less, despite being born to perform. In some ways that's good as it's indicative of her being humble and not a hopeless Hollywood narcissist. 

I've long wanted her to devote more energy to songwriting. That could be a good way for her to make money at times in her life when she wants to be more focused on family. 

[GlitterRain]

I feel like Christina would have been much more successful as the dancing pop star despite being unable to dance 

[Eternalhouse]

She was the start for many many things in her early years i think. And even if she didn't start it, she did make it popular and inspirational. (Iconic vma moments, Celeb perfumes, residencies, etc)