She has had immense commercial success, very minimal critical success, iconic performances, iconic moments, iconic pictures, iconic Google hits, iconic diets, iconic exercise regimens, iconic stans, et al. The list really goes on, but at the core, she's a living legend to which artist of today aspire.
I think she was the standard for what a pop princess should be
(We know the standard for a pop Queen is Madonna)
I remember when Britney was on her prime a lot of record labels kept putting out girls that looked and sounded like Britney because they wanted to achieve the same amount of success that Britney achieved 1999-2003
Her performances were iconic too. Particularly the ones at the VMA's
influenced most of the female popstars in the industry today, sold a ton of records, was a worldwide phenomenon, is the poster child for the rise and fall (and rise) of a pop icon, iconic performances, etc.
It's barely nonexistent actually. Just like from the beginning with Baby One More Time, it was just an extension of the teen bubblegum popish sound Christina brought forth in the late 90s with Disney's Reflection, and so forth in her career it's the same deal.
I think it's more of a pop culture impact. A lot of the artists today cite her as their influence.
She was such a huge phenomenon.
A tabloid celebrity.
Pop icon.
Pure pop hits.
A pop juggernaut not seen since Madonna.
She is pop, literally.
She sexed the industry up to another level and lowered the standard of talent for the female pop star. Every little girl wanted to be like Britney Spears, everyone knew who Britney Spears was, and Britney Spears references (usually negative) were everywhere. She had the coveted spot of the undeniable pop "it-girl."