Britney Spears turns 35: Glory album release, Carpool Karaoke and other highlights

All hail the princess of pop as Britney Spears celebrates her 35th birthday today (2 December). The Make Me singer has enjoyed a tremendously successful year performing on her Las Vegas residency and promoting her latest album Glory marking some milestone achievements for the pop star.

But while a forthcoming Lifetime biopic harks back to Spears' rise to fame and early days in her career, IBTimes UK takes a look at the present and celebrates some highlights of the past year.

Glory album release

After the long wait of three years, Spears released her ninth studio album Glory in August 2016. It seems the title was more than appropriate as the album quite literally signalled Spears' return to pop glory. Critics raved about it, fans could not get enough and Spears has not looked or sounded this confident in years.

2013's Britney Jean completely tanked in the UK but Glory was well-received reaching number two on the UK chart and three on the US' Billboard 200. Explaining her new sound, Spears told Reuters: "I feel like it's been a while since I brought new music to the table. I didn't want to do a typical pop record for this. I wanted to do something really different."

Las Vegas residency

Spears' ongoing residency in Sin City is the gift that keeps on giving. The Piece Of Me shows, which will now run until 2017 following an extension, have proved to be incredibly fruitful for Spears. It is estimated that the shows have grossed a staggering $28m in 2016 alone from 55 shows over five legs.

Carpool Karaoke

James Corden managed to bag one of his most exciting guests when Spears joined him for a Carpool Karaoke in August. The pop star sang along to her early hits including Oops!... I Did It Again and Toxic while also persuading Corden to dress up in the iconic schoolgirl uniform worn in her Hit Me Baby One More Time video. Classic.

First London performance in five years

It took five years but London finally enticed Spears to the stage in September. The Womanizer hitmaker took part in the Apple Music Festival at the Roundhouse and earned praise for her performance, which was live-streamed to the masses.

MTV VMAs return

For the first time since 2007, Spears graced the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards this summer. Some cynics attempted to slam the pop star for miming – as though it is a revelation she does – but fans were simply pleased Spears could put her turbulent past at the VMAs behind her. Her performance of Make Me was a highlight of the show and confirmed "Britney bitch" is back.

Watch Britney Spears' Make Me music video: