Timeline of Britney Spears' descent into hell

This is a story of loss of control, of imbalances, of addictions. But it is also a story of redemption. 10 years ago Britney sent us postcards from the edge and now we read them like this.

Today, the phrase "if Britney could beat 2007, you can beat anything" is a meme. An advertising slogan, a way of life, a self-pitying mantra. But those of us who witnessed that descent into unprecedented hells that almost had to be built for her, we know that it could have been worse. Much worse. On the tenth anniversary of the most famous skinhead in pop culture history, it's worth revisiting that spiral of self-destruction with the same stupor we witnessed a decade ago. ** Because the amazing thing is not that a 23-year-old woman went through such a via crucis photographed in real time. The amazing thing is that she lived to tell the tale**

January 1, 2004

During a New Year's Eve party and giggles, **Britney marries her high school friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas**. Cold sweats drenched the singer's team: Britney has not signed any kind of prenuptial agreement and the (inevitable) divorce could end with Alexander walking away with a delicious check. ** After 55 hours of screaming and people jumping out of windows in panic [scenario], the marriage is annulled.** Spears' reps say she "lacked understanding of her actions."

September 14, 2004

Britney gives birth to her first child, Sean Preston. The father is Kevin Federline, a dancer affectionately nicknamed "meat mast" by his friends, who also leaves behind a still-pregnant girlfriend. As a tribute to her baby, Spears released a single with the prophetic title "Someday I Will Understand".

October 6, 2004

Britney marries Kevin Federline. The groom's gang wears white tracksuits with "pimp daddy" (literally, pimp daddy) embedded in the back of it. Britney's bridesmaids, a pink fleece tracksuit with "sexy mama" on it.