![Britney Spears Is Finally Finding Her Voice](https://cdn.magzter.com/1452682922/1697716445/articles/jBO1SmHZh1697889722737/BRITNEY-SPEARS-IS-FINALLY-FINDING-HER-VOICE.jpg)
It's a sun-kissed afternoon in late September, and Britney Spears pirouettes in powdery white sands on a beach in Tahiti. Tousled blonde hair falls over her shoulders as she goes barefoot at the surf's edge. The 41-year-old pop icon, capturing photos for the cover of People while on a tropical getaway, smooths her Anthropologie sundress, fixes her bangs and moves into the shallows in search of a good shot. Working the camera as only she can, Spears looks up and smiles.
Yet until Nov. 12, 2021-the day a Los Angeles County judge terminated the conservatorship that had governed Spears's life for nearly 14 years-she had few respites like this. The legal victory, following fervent testimony in which Spears accused her father, Jamie, 71, and others of exploitation and abuse, set the stage for a second act that is both exhilarating and tricky. "Learning this new freedom, I'll admit, is challenging at times," she tells People in an exclusive interview, done via email.
There have been setbacks as she's navigated her new normal, including her split from model-actor Sam Asghari, 29, in August after just 14 months of marriage. She also has a complicated relationship with her family, including her dad, mom Lynne, 68, and sister Jamie Lynn, 32. But there have also been high notes for the mother of two: Her collaboration with Elton John, "Hold Me Closer," marked her first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 11 years. Mostly, though, Spears says she finds joy in everyday moments, whether "I'm playing with my dogs... [or] watching episodes of Friends and belly-laughing. I love, love to travel and explore," she says. "I am a simple girl."
This story is from the October 30, 2023 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 30, 2023 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![All About Tom Brady's Summer Plans & New TV Gig](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/5fmQIMwfd1718972235324/ALL-ABOUT-TOM-BRADYS-SUMMER-PLANS-NEW-TV-GIG.jpg)
All About Tom Brady's Summer Plans & New TV Gig
Tom Brady is doing just fine in retirement - if you can call it that. On June 12 the former NFL quarterback, 46, was inducted into the New England Patriots' Hall of Fame.
![Inside Billy Ray Cyrus's Divorceand Where Miley Stands](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/-oNb_21Gf1718971920462/INSIDE-BILLY-RAY-CYRUSS-DIVORCEAND-WHERE-MILEY-STANDS.jpg)
Inside Billy Ray Cyrus's Divorceand Where Miley Stands
Just seven months after Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose said \"I do,\" their marriage has come to an end.
![MISSY ELLIOTT'S SUPA DUPA NOW!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/UVP_sVw_z1718971392320/MISSY-ELLIOTTS-SUPA-DUPA-NOW.jpg)
MISSY ELLIOTT'S SUPA DUPA NOW!
THE HIP-HOP SUPERSTAR REVEALS HOW SHE OVERCAME HEALTH ISSUES AND ANXIETY FOR A BIG RETURN TO THE SPOTLIGHT
![MARIA SHARAPOVA - Still Winning!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/aHqNknHzJ1718971224384/MARIA-SHARAPOVA-STILL-WINNING.jpg)
MARIA SHARAPOVA - Still Winning!
JUGGLING NEW PURSUITS WITH RAISING SON THEODORE, THE TENNIS LEGEND OPENS UP ABOUT APPROACHING LIFE WITH THE SAME ENERGY SHE BROUGHT TO THE COURT
![JUDE LAW MOVIES OF MY LIFE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/WKLIZi7KS1718970914745/JUDE-LAW-MOVIES-OF-MY-LIFE.jpg)
JUDE LAW MOVIES OF MY LIFE
HE'S PLAYED A ROGUE, A ROBOT, A SPY, A SEDUCER AND NOW A KING. JUDE LAW LOOKS BACK AT SOME OF HIS ALL-TIME FAVORITE ROLES
![SANDY HOOK SURVIVORS GRADUATE 'The Sorrow Has to Live Within the Joy'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/La6unIv481718969389838/SANDY-HOOK-SURVIVORS-GRADUATE-THE-SORROW-HAS-TO-LIVE-WITHIN-THE-JOY.jpg)
SANDY HOOK SURVIVORS GRADUATE 'The Sorrow Has to Live Within the Joy'
THEY WERE FIRST GRADERS WHEN A GUNMAN MURDERED 20 CLASSMATES. NOW THEY'RE ENTERING YOUNG ADULTHOOD FOREVER CHANGED BUT READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
![DIANE VON FURSTENBERG WHAT I KNOW NOW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/9_FQyhwCv1718969089391/DIANE-VON-FURSTENBERG-WHAT-I-KNOW-NOW.jpg)
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG WHAT I KNOW NOW
AS A NEW DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES THE DESIGNER'S INFLUENCE ON FASHION AND CULTURE, SHE'S SHARING THE SOURCES OF HER INNER WISDOM
![THE JOY OF BEING AMY POEHLER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/jRlqU4uVP1718968735529/THE-JOY-OF-BEING-AMY-POEHLER.jpg)
THE JOY OF BEING AMY POEHLER
THE INSIDE OUT 2 STAR ON PLAYING AN EMOTION, RAISING TEENS AND MAKING THE VERY MOST OF VACATION
![Why I Believed Her](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/7TKgmY_x-1718968047443/WHY-I-BELIEVED-HER.jpg)
Why I Believed Her
Sherri Papini faked her own abduction and torture and lied about it to authorities-and her husband for six years. Now Keith Papini speaks out
![Princess Kate's Moment in the Spotlight](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12423/1739467/w3Oe5x3oD1718966320193/PRINCESS-KATES-MOMENT-IN-THE-SPOTLIGHT.jpg)
Princess Kate's Moment in the Spotlight
THE ROYAL MOM MADE A POWERFUL RETURN AT TROOPING THE COLOUR, RADIATING STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE ALONGSIDE HER FAMILY AS SHE CONTINUES TO UNDERGO CHEMOTHERAPY