Why Britney Spears is the Most Relatable, ‘Just Like Us’ Celeb Ever

My God, I love Britney Spears. This was my thought the other day as I put on my Britney Spears “Oops…I Did It Again” Tour t-shirt. I realized that I love her because for once in my life, I can actually relate to her. Age has mellowed our dear Britney into this fun, goofy, normal girl (sorry —Woman. I think at this point, she’s not a girl, and is indeed a woman). Sure, she’s not just like us in the sense that we don’t all have massive, over-the-top, record-setting shows in Vegas (YET) but damn, do I relate to her. Here are some reasons why Britney Spears is the most relatable, truly “just like us” celeb ever.

She attends her kids’ soccer games.

She just shows up, dressed like anyone else, and cheers her sons on. Look at how carefree she is. She’s not putting on a show, nor did she call the paparazzi there, the way some celebs do—they follow her. And she’s like, “Whatever, I’m just here for my kids.” And she manages to do it even while she has her residency in Las Vegas, because that’s how important her kids are to her.

She runs errands in sweats/normal-people clothes.

Karl Lagerfeld once said, “Sweat pants are a sign of defeat.” Karl Lagerfeld has never had a period. But I digress. My point is that unlike some celebs who get all dolled up to go to the grocery store, Britney just throws on a pair of sweats or other normal-people clothes and heads out, make-up free. Listen, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to get dressed up to run errands—if that’s what makes you feel good, do it, girl—pile on those pearls. I’m saying, it’s refreshing to see a superstar not go through the effort and just be, and forgive me for using this word again, normal. I don’t have time to get all fancy when I go to the grocery store, and I love that Britney doesn’t either. Or maybe, even better, she just chooses not to.

She loves her Starbucks drinks. 

Britney Spears and Frappucinos go together like cat gifs and Tumblr—it’s perfect! And God love her for loving her Fraps and other Starbucks beverages. People have made fun of Britney for her eating habits, and I say, let he who has not had junk food cast the first Cheeto. Who cares what she eats/drinks? Let her be a walking Starbucks ad, if it makes her happy. When I walk down the street drinking my Iced Venti Nonfat Cappuccino (with extra foam), I like to sometimes like to pretend I’m Britney, and I feel no personal shame or guilt about admitting this.

She makes Instagram videos when she’s bored.

The above video, captioned, “How I spend my Saturdays….lol.” is a Britney’s eye view of walking down a street, with her boys running ahead, barking dogs at her feet. She turns the camera to her make-up free self, and says, “I’m bored.” Is this the most groundbreaking use of Instagram ever? No, of course not. It looks like a video anyone could have made. And that’s what makes it so great. It’s adorable. She looks and sounds truly happy, despite her boredom. Who hasn’t been there, just chillin’ on a Saturday, screwing around with Instagram?

She’s been through some tough times.

Britney had a tough 2007. Much has been speculated about what exactly was happening or what she was going through, something was clearly wrong in her personal life and she acted out by shaving her head, beating a car with with an umbrella, and then barricading herself inside her home. She checked into rehab a few times. She reportedly was even under conservatorship. While the media was obsessed with America’s Pop Princess meltdown, I felt genuinely sad for her, and hoped she would be okay. Though I’ve never shaved my head, I’ve been in that place where it felt like everything was tumbling down, and nothing would be right. As they say on Pinterest, “If Britney can make it through 2007, you can make it through this day.”

She takes her own bikini pictures.

I don’t know if it was a “screw you” to gossip magazines that were ragging on her appearance (again), but in April, Britney posted a photo on her Instagram of herself in a bikini. And unlike some celebs who post bikini photos, it didn’t make me roll my eyes and think, “SOMEONE needs attention.” It was more of, “Girl, I get it—you look awesome and you want to share it with the world.” Not gonna lie, as I’m working out, I take pictures of myself to see how my progress is going, and if I had that body, I would show it off, too! She earned it. And what I love is that it’s an untouched photo of her in a hotel room, just posing for the camera. And then, she takes goofy bikini pictures, too:

Her Instagram account may not be the most fascinating or the most glamorous, but of any celeb, I feel it’s the most real. She’s not afraid to show her true self, without Photoshopping, and I freakin’ love that.

Images via Zimbo, Andrew Power, FOX