Britney Spears Is Finally Working On A New Album, Here's Everything We Know

Meredith Holser
Jan 03, 2024
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This is the greatest news we’ve received this year. Britney Spears is reportedly working on a new album – her first in 8 years! The US Sun first broke the news with anonymous input from a “music insider” source who hopes the new project will “bring Britney back with a bang” in 2024.

The excitement is already ramping up because it was revealed that Britney and her team tapped Charli XCX and Julia Michaels to bring their top-tier songwriting skills to the new album.

Though we’re pumped, Britney Spears’ new album is in its very early stages, according to the inside source.

“The Britney album is being kept top secret,” they told The US Sun. “She is known as one of the biggest pop stars of the 21st century, so there is pressure for the music to be great.”

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Britney took a hiatus from making original music around 2019 amidst personal struggles dealing with the 13-year-long conservatorship held by her father, Jamie Spears. The legal arrangement was dissolved in 2021. She’s since had features on Elton John’s “Hold Me Closer” and Will.i.am’s “Mind Your Business.”

Rumors of Britney Spears’ new album began circulating in August 2023 when the pop star was settling a divorce from her now ex-husband, Sam Asghari. At the time, a source had told Page Sixthat the singer was to host a writers camp with “big artists,” even though Asghari had filed for divorce the previous day.

Now, following the 2023 release of her memoir, “The Woman in Me,” Spears is reportedly set to work with fellow bop-makers, Charli XCX and Julia Michaels for her 10th studio album.

Photo by Amy Sussman / Getty Images

“Charli has a great track record when it comes to writing clever pop songs,” a source told The US Sun.

Charli XCX has written songs for and with huge names like Gwen Stefani, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Diplo, Iggy Azalea, Will.i.am, Twice, and more.

Charli also wrote a few tracks for Spears’ 2013 album, “Britney Jean,” but none of them made the final cut.

“It just couldn’t work out with the timings and everything,” she told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live last year.

Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Julia Michaels has already written songs for and with Britney, most notably four different tracks for Spears’ 2016 album, “Glory.” Michaels has also written for and with Nick Jonas, Ed Sheeran, P!nk, Justin Bieber, John Legend Selena Gomez, Ross Lynch, Demi Lovato, Christina Aguilera, and more.

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Lead photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images.

Selena Gomez Just Announced Album With "Best Friend" Benny Blanco & I'm Already Crying

Newly-engaged couple, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are still riding the waves of love! Ever since their surprise engagement sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, these two clearly haven't stopped smiling — and we don't blame them! We're still waiting to see if Taylor Swift will be a part of Sel's wedding party, but we know for sure this couple has a strong support system. But that's not the news that has everyone buzzing!

It's the fact Selena and Benny will be releasing a joint album together! Not only is Selena Gomez known for hits like "Hands to Myself" and "Calm Down," Benny's a highly successful producer who's responsible for our favorite 2000s songs (think Ke$ha's "Tik Tok" and Wiz Khalifa's "No Sleep").

Now, these two are bringing their talents together to give us a brand new album — and we can't wait! This is what we know so far.

Here's everything we know about Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's album 'I Said I Love You First'

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Selena hopped on Instagram yesterday to share the unexpected news with fans and wrote, "I always trick you guys 🥰 my NEW album I Said I Love You First with my best friend @itsbennyblanco, is out on 3/21 🖤Our first song, Scared of Loving You is out now on all streaming platforms." She also mentioned fans can pre-order "merchandise and signed products for the album."

The comments were mainly positive, with her own brand Rare Beauty writing, "you tricked us fr…can’t wait for 3/21!! ❤️."

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Benny also shared the news on his Instagram page and captioned the post, "i cant believe i get to spend the rest of my life with you." As if that weren't sweet enough, the first comment from @beercutieandfoodie mentions how he's "the guy Selena deserved and longed for."

This is totally going to ruin our Valentine's Day makeup!

Watch The Official Lyric Video For "Scared of Loving You"

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Unlike typical lyric videos, Selena and Benny can be seen laughing together in a clips that have a homemade overlay on them.

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Jenny Han Just Teased A "Surprise" End To 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'

It's almost time to return to Cousins! The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 is coming this summer, and Prime Video just gave us a first official look at Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad. The new episodes will open at the end of Belly's freshman year of college, and in addition to seeing the evolution of our favorite characters, author and co-showrunner Jenny Han says "there are going to be surprises" in the final season. Eek!

Here's your first look at Lola Tung, Gavin Casalegno, and Christopher Briney in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3, coming to Prime Video July 2025!


Jenny Han says 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' fans are in for a few surprises.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

"There are the things that [fans] know and then there are things they think they know, and then there's going to be, hopefully, things that surprise them," Jenny Han tells Entertainment Weekly. Listen, I am a very proud member of Team Conrad, and seeing how cozy Belly and Jeremiah are in these pics (not to mention the set leak that's definitely not in the third book), I'm starting to wonder if Prime Video is teasing I should switch teams.

But no matter which team you're on, Lola Tung promises the season won't let you down.

Team #JellyFish will get their time this season.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

"The one thing I've always admired about Jenny is that every season and every decision about what's coming next is purely to serve the story," Lola says. "She's never going to do anything that doesn't make sense for the story. It's all about this beautiful world she's created and giving the fans something really, really special and giving us something really special to work with."

And that includes some sweet moments which Jeremiah and Belly, who "are, at their core, best friends," Lola adds. "That relationship is something that's so special and so unique to them, so it's exciting to see this season and how their relationship blossoms."

And 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' images also feature Conrad.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But don't worry Conrad fans, we also get a look at the elder Fisher brother who "we know that he went to Stanford, and so he's continuing on his journey to become a doctor, as you can see from that white coat," Jenny says. "I think people won't be surprised to see that."

Keep reading for more images from The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3!

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Jenny Han also teases this image is actually a flashback, "so do with that what you will." BRB, I'm off dreaming of a beach vacation. I also can't help but point out the warm color grade of this season! The golden look makes everything feel warmer and more magical — and offers a youthful glow as Belly gets older.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But for those of us who care more about Steven and Taylor (Sean Kaufman and Rain Spencer) than the main love triangle, we got this single crumb from the new images. And I'm more than happy about it, thank you very much.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Belly (Lola Tung) gets cozy on campus in a hoodie and sunglasses.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

And Belly and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) get cozy with each other at a party.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But they work as hard as they play! I have this exact outfit Belly's wearing, and you best believe I'm adding it into my fashion rotation.

How many episodes will The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 have?

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Great news! The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 will have 11 episodes instead of 7 or 8 like seasons 1 and 2 did. Stay tuned for the official release schedule.

Who's in the cast?

Prime Video

The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 cast features all your favorites:

  • Lola Tung as Belly Conklin: a beach-loving volleyball player who's always dreaming of summer.
  • Christopher Briney as Conrad Fisher: Belly and Steven's lifelong friend who Belly's always had a crush on.
  • Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah Fisher: Conrad's sunny younger brother.
  • Sean Kaufman as Steven Conklin: Belly's older brother.
  • Rain Spencer as Taylor Jewel: Belly's best friend.
  • Jackie Chungas Laurel Park: Belly and Steven's mom and Susannah Fisher's best friend.

Meet The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cast before the new episodes air on Prime Video this July!

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Sam Asghari Speaks Out About Britney Spears Divorce After Keeping Mum On ‘The Traitors’

Sam Asghari just opened up about his relationship with Britney Spears on Kate and Oliver Hudson's podcast — which wouldn't be weird if he didn't have an alleged gag order not to speak about it during his time on The Traitors. Why is he able to talk about Britney now? And what did he say about her? We dug into it so you don't have to.

Here's what Sam Asghari said about Britney Spears post-divorce:

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Sam Asghari and Britney Spears officially settled their divorce in May 2024, but Britney's story feels far from settled for fans (to say the least). Obviously this isn't Britney's only divorce, but it's one of her most controversial given how entrenched it was in the #FreeBritney movement and her conservatorship as a whole. As the movement picked up speed, some people looked at Sam differently, wondering what he knew (and when) about her conservatorship.

Well, now he's telling everyone the conservatorship was the "most difficult" part of their relationship on Oliver and Kate Hudson's "Sibling Revelry" podcast. He explained that he went from learning what a conservatorship even was to wondering, “Wait a minute. I thought I’m in America. What do you mean someone over the age of 18 needs permission from their parents?”

Sam explained that he did the "best thing" for Britney during that time — support her through the fight against her conservatorship. He noted that one of the "hardest things" about celebrity is how easily you can get taken advantage of. He said, "That damages you because those are the people that are closest to you."

He noted that "usually" you're more "vulnerable" to the people around you. Sam said, “They take an advantage because they think, you know, you owe something to them or something, which is so ridiculous."

So what do you think? Why would Sam be allowed to talk about his relationship with Britney now, but not on The Traitors? Let us know in the comments!

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Michelle Randolph Teased We'll "Fill In Some Blanks" In The Dutton Family Tree Before '1923' Season Finale Ends

1923 season 2 premieres on Paramount+ February 23, and Michelle Randolph (who plays Elizabeth Dutton in the cast) is "so excited" for you to watch the new episodes — and she's been keeping up with all your fan theories!

"There are some crazy ones. I feel like the biggest fan theory thing is the family tree," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "I've seen many different family trees and so it's like, 'OK, which one's accurate?' I actually drew my own at one point."

Here's what Michelle Randolph had to say about 1923 season 2, and the Dutton family tree, in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 interview.

Michelle Randolph teases '1923' season 2 finally gives us answers to the Dutton family tree.

By the end of season 2, Michelle Randolph says "we might be able to fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, which is a very hot topic for internet users! "I had to make my own [family tree] because all of the ones I saw on the internet were like — every single one was different. I was like 'I'm confused.'"

The Dutton family is made up of incredible cast members like Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, and Michelle reveals that the cast are just as close as their characters.

"There's a giant group chat called Giddy Up, which started during cowboy camp of season one," she says. "A cute little name, and I think I mean we all were on location in Montana and all in the same hotel, and we would get dinners after [filming], so I think even though our characters are very different and in different story lines like we all really did bond, which was really helpful to have each other throughout the chaos of of shooting a show."

The actress also says Elizabeth would connect with her 'Landman' character Ainsley.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

And if you're a tried and true Taylor Sheridan fan, you've probably picked up on the fact that Michelle isn't just in 1923 — she also has a starring role as Ainsley Norris in Landman! But would Elizabeth and Ainsley get along if they met in an alternate universe?

"That would be a fun thing to witness. I think they would," she says. "They're very different, but the similarities between them is they're both young women who are finding their place in this world and I think that they both actually look at the world through very bright eyes and have a lot of hope, which is an interesting correlation between the two of them. I think Elizabeth has gone through so much more than Ainsley obviously, so there might be a difference there, but I think they would get along."

Check out the 8 Compelling Historical Fiction Books For 1923 Lovers and read our interview with Julia Schlaepfer where she teases the Spencer and Alex's future.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. And this post has been updated.

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Matcha Lovers, Beware: A "Global Matcha Shortage” Is On The Way

Leaders in the matcha industry are predicting a matcha shortage this spring. Sparked by a huge surge in demand, it’s possible that your go-to drink could be affected.

Here’s everything you need to know about this season’s matcha shortage.

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Per The Japan Times, increased demand for matcha powder put an “unprecedented strain” on the tea industry last year, and the same effect is predicted to take place in 2025.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan saw a 185% increase in matcha production from 2010 to 2023 in order to keep up with demand from cafes and home baristas around the world, The Japan Timesreports.

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Seeing that over half of Japan’s matcha is exported internationally, matcha lovers are looking toward the country for their green tea fix. Search interest for matcha has nearly quadrupled over the past 5 years, and it shows no sign of slowing down.

Olena Bohovyk / PEXELS

This year, mostly organic matcha strains will be affected by the shortage, though lower-grade varieties could face the same issues if consumers begin reaching for them in favor of organic offerings. While top-tier, organic strains like ceremonial-grade matcha are known for being sweeter and smoother, the lower-grade kinds like culinary-grade matcha are noticeably more bitter and don't have the same vibrant color.

Charlotte May / PEXELS

Matcha can only be harvested in the springtime, so though a shortage may be happening now, there’s hope for increased supply in the near future. This year’s harvest will start in April.

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

Even though production will ramp up, Jason Eng of Kametani Tea in Japan, a company that produces matcha for beverage companies around the world, says: “This year will be an interesting one. We haven’t hit a point yet where we’re going to run out, but it’s going to be really tight this autumn – not just for us but for everybody. The demand is off the charts.”

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