2009

In January 2009, Spears and her father obtained a restraining order against the singer's former manager/friend Sam Lutfi, one-time beau Adnan Ghalib, and attorney Jon Eardley—all of whom, court documents claim, have been conspiring to gain control of the pop star's affairs. The restraining order forbids Lutfi and Ghalib from contacting Spears or coming within 250 yards of her, her property or family members.

In February 2009, Spears achieved further success in solidifying her comeback by having the second single of off her comeback album, "Circus" rise to number one on the Top 40 Radio Chart, making it the first time Spears has achieved back-to-back number one hits on the Top 40 Chart along with her comeback single, "Womanizer". This makes her fifth number one song on the chart, putting her in a tie for second place for most number one Top 40 songs in the Mainstream Top 40s sixteen year history. Mariah Carey is in first place with six number one songs.

In March, Spears launched her seventh tour to promote the Circus album. The Circus Starring: Britney Spears began its run on March 3, 2009 in Spears's home state of Louisiana. Opening night, as well as every following show in North America, sold out. The tour spanned through North America, Europe, and Australia. Britney was accompanied by her children on the tour, and are in her custody for over 50% of the time for the duration of the tour.

In April 2009, Spears declared her support for same-sex marriage to the media, following the controversial incident on Miss USA where contestant Carrie Prejean, representing California, expressed her disapproval of same-sex unions. The message left by Spears on her Twitter page read “Love is love! People should be able to do whatever makes them happy!” After years of absence, Forbes magazine listed Spears as the 13th most powerful celebrity and the second most top-earning young musician as she made $35 million from June 2008 to June 2009. In July 2009 Spears confirmed through her Twitter that she has begun recording new material, stating that she was going into the studio with producer Max Martin. Also producer and remixer Russ Castella posted a message on Twitter stating that he is working on a track titled "Dirty Girl" for Spears. Castella also announced that the track he is working on would be released later in 2009. Along Max Martin and Russ Castella it has been revealed that she is working with Nate Hills, Fernando Garibay, Dallas Austin, David Guetta, and Lily Allen for the forthcoming album.

According to Spears's official website, Jive will be releasing a greatest hits album, The Singles Collection, on November 24 to honor her 10th anniversary in the music industry. It will contain the new single, "3". The album will be released in a standard and deluxe edition