She has one of the most iconic discographies in pop music.
So why, then, did Britney Spears feel compelled to sell the hit songs that made her a legend?
News broke this week that the 44-year-old global superstar had inked a sweeping deal to sell her catalog to music publishing giant Primary Wave, reportedly worth $200 million - a deal, and a staggering figure, that doubtless raised eyebrows.
And mere days later, Spears was spotted behind the wheel of her Mercedes SUV appearing to break the law, her cell phone pressed to her face.
On Thursday, she was photographed taking a spin around Los Angeles while appearing to be talking on the phone, which is illegal in California under the 'No Touch' law (Vehicle Code 23123.5).
It is, however, not an isolated incident for Spears, who, in recent months, was filmed swerving into the wrong lane on a highway after a night out. At the time, sources feared she was 'spiraling' amid the release of her ex-husband Kevin Federline's memoir.
Now, insiders speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail have revealed what they say drove Spears to sell the hits that cemented her as a pop icon - most notably, said one source close to the star, her 'heavy spending.'
Days after news broke that she sold her music catalog, Spears was spotted driving around Los Angeles with her cell phone pressed to her face
She appeared to be talking on the phone while behind the wheel, which is illegal in California under the 'No Touch' law (Vehicle Code 23123.5)
Spears reportedly inked a deal to sell her music in December
Meanwhile, a second source suggested that Spears may also be faced with a brutal reality check: that her music career may already be behind her.
'Everyone has to be realistic with Britney's future, including herself, so selling her catalog was wise because she isn't going to get back into music,' the second insider told the Daily Mail.
Indeed, Spears has not released a full studio album since 2016's Glory, nor has she toured the US since her 2017 Piece of Me run, fueling speculation that her performing days are over.
She has confirmed as recently as January 2026 that she does not plan to return to the music industry - though she has hinted she might take the stage again someday with her 19-year-old son Jayden Federline.
Spears has also paid a princely sum every month to Federline - with whom she shares sons Jayden and Sean Preston Federline, 20 - since their 2007 divorce.
For years, Spears paid $20,000 per month in child support; a figure that doubled in 2018. In total, the popstar doled out an estimated $5 million over the course of nearly two decades.
The payments stopped, however, in 2024 when her youngest son turned 18.
Spears has not released a full studio album since 2016's Glory, nor has she toured the US since her 2017 Piece of Me run, fueling speculation that her performing days are over
One source told the Daily Mail that the decision to ink the deal is motivated by finances
'Everyone has to be realistic with Britney's future, including herself, so selling her catalog was wise because she isn't going to get back into music,' the second insider told the Daily Mail
But just because she isn't churning out more hits doesn't mean she can't cash in, according to insiders.
While exact details of the deal - reportedly inked December 30 - are unclear, these kinds of catalog sales primarily impact publishing royalties and control over licensing, not necessarily the ability to perform the music live.
In theory, she could still tour and perform her old songs, like she did with her four-year Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me, which ran from 2013 to 2017.
The question is: would she?
'Without her Vegas shows, she is really suffering,' our first source said. 'Those shows made her a fortune, but that ended years ago, sadly. The best thing for her is to go back to Vegas to perform again and have a steady paycheck, but I don't think she wants to work that hard.'
As the second source put it, 'That's why you see people like JLo still do stuff - to keep the money rolling in.'
After all, Spears, they added, 'isn't making money spinning around in her living room every day.'
They continued: 'Britney has plenty of money, but since she doesn't do music anymore, since she doesn't tour anymore or have a residency, there are only certain money-making ventures coming in like her perfume line or her book.'
Spears was reportedly paid a $15 million advance for her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me, but according to our first source, she still 'needs to bring in money.'
'Britney spends like crazy, she does not have any limits, she is always traveling and buying new clothes, and she has a large staff to pay,' the source said.
She has confirmed as recently as January 2026 that she does not plan to return to the music industry
The first source explained, 'Without her Vegas shows, she is really suffering. Those shows made her a fortune, but that ended years ago; sadly. The best thing for her is to go back to Vegas to perform again and have a steady paycheck; but I don't think she wants to work that hard'
Another source, however, has denied that Spears is facing money woes, telling the Daily Mail,'Britney is not low on money; it's just a good time to sell her catalog because the marketplace is hot at the moment.'
'It's more about streaming rights,' the source added. 'By selling her catalog now she makes more money on streaming.'
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives of Spears for comment.
Meanwhile, industry analysts say that the sale will significantly boost Spears's overall net worth.
Before the deal, Forbes estimated her net worth at around $60 million, far below the billionaire peers she once shared the charts with. With this reported payout, however, her estimated wealth is now placed at roughly $150 million.
The move places Spears among a growing list of legacy artists monetizing their catalogues in recent years, but hers is widely regarded as one of the most valuable in modern pop.
Since 1999's ...Baby One More Time - which sold over ten million copies worldwide and spent two consecutive weeks in the number one slot on the Billboard Hot 100 - she has racked up multiple chart-toppers and multi-platinum hits across her nine studio albums.
Her songs have earned multiple Grammy nominations, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards, and they continue to generate massive streaming revenue, with billions of streams across Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
But unlike other legacy artists who continue performing their hits to maintain income, Spears appears ready to step back and enjoy the spoils.
'Convincing her to get that deal done was an easy one because having over $200 million come in will set her up for life,' said our second source.
'She doesn't ever have to do anything again if she doesn't want to,' this source added,'which has been the trajectory the last several years.'