After that disastrous X Factor performance, Britney Spears high-tails it to New York
By
Richard Simpson and Natalie Trombetta
Last updated at 11:32 AM on 01st December 2008
Britney Spears left behind a trail of disappointed fans as she headed for New York yesterday after a 24-hour visit to London.
The singer kept herself hidden behind oversized sunglasses and a fedora hat as she touched down at JFK after her whistlestop tour to the UK fell short of expectation.
Such was the anticipation over her guest appearance on the X Factor that it attracted the series's highest audience of 12.8million.
But many were less than impressed that she performed for only four minutes on her British comeback - and didn't even sing.
Circus rolls on: Britney Spears touched down at New York's JFK airport yesterday after a disappointing visit to the UK
She mimed to her new hit Womanizer on the ITV show on Saturday night, apparently because she wanted to concentrate fully on her dance routine.
By contrast, all the contestants, who are not professional singers, had to deliver their own performance live.
Miss Spears, who turns 27 on December 2, was said to have feared that trying to sing and dance at the same time would prove too much for her.
Blow out: The singer kicked off her birthday celebrations early with a visit to G-A-Y following her appearance on X Factor
Cheers and jeers: Britney greeted fans as she arrived at the club, but left them reeling after deciding not to perform
A spokesman for the show insisted that there had been 'some live vocals'.
However, one of the American's aides told the Mail: 'Everyone knows Britney's performances are about the dancing and performing.
'Just as she would have mimed five years ago, she also mimed on the show on Saturday.'
Unlike other guest stars such as Take That and Mariah Carey, Miss Spears failed to mentor the contestants ahead of the show.
Photo finish: Britney ended her turn on X Factor by posing up with judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue
She also refused to use a Winnebago motorhome at the studios, instead taking over Simon Cowell's green room along with her entourage and security guards.
To make matters worse, she did not even watch the contestants' performances from her dressing room.
Dermot was left baffled after he asked her what she made of the five acts, who each performed one of her hits.
After he handed her his microphone - hers appeared to be switched off completely - she said: 'Yes, awesome, thank-you. Amazing, I met so many different people, the place is beautiful.'
Under fire: Britney mimed her way through most of her appearance on X Factor
An insider told The Sun: 'Everyone was stunned that she hadn't watched the show. There's a TV in her dressing room.
'After the show Simon tried to have a conversation, but Britney was pretty vacant. In the end he just walked off.'
Internet forums were full of complaints over her act, with one disgruntled viewer writing: 'All she can do is mine, and not very well.'
Out of sync: Viewers were left disappointed by her rendition of her new track Womanizer
Lacklustre: Despite her efforts, Britney's dance routine also fell flat
And there was more disappointment for fans after the programme when hundreds crammed into London's Astoria club hoping to see her on stage.
When she arrived however, she restricted herself to a 'meet and greet' session with a handful of chosen guests.
A spokesman for her record label yesterday said: 'She was invited to the evening but was never asked to perform.'
At least one of the X Factor hopefuls was philosophical about Miss Spears's failure to sing, or meet the contestants.
Burning up the dancefloor: Britney leaps in front of the judges, as Louis gazes on with joy
Ruth Lorenzo, 26, said: 'She has a frantic life. I'm sure if she had the time she would have (met us). She is hot, man! She's amazing - she can mime if she likes.'
Sadly for Miss Lorenzo, the audience was less enthusiastic about her own performance. She was voted out.
Miss Spears's X Factor appearance comes as she opened up about her 'crazy year' in an interview with Glamour magazine.
'The whole year has been a hell of a year for me,' she says, referring to her high-profile meltdown.
We love you! A gushing Dermot praises Britney's performance
But she says recording her latest album Circus 'has helped take my mind off certain things - for me, my music is therapy.'
She admitted that her life, which is now under the careful watch of her conservator and father Jamie Spears, is now much quieter.
'I don't like going out. I hate clubs. I hate being around too many people. I love my home and staying in bed and watching Dancing With the Stars or reading a Danielle Steel novel. I'm kind of boring.'
Britney's tears: The troubled pop star's documentary Britney: For The Record aired in the US last night
She also spends her time working out: 'My body...completely changed [after giving birth], and I have had to work hard at getting it back.'
Asked what her goals are for the New Year, she said: 'I would like to stop worrying so much, because I worry all the time. And to learn how to be happier, just in general.'
'I have to learn to take things not so seriously. And to stop biting my nails!'
Meanwhile, her highly publicised documentary, Britney: For the Record, aired for the first time in the US last night.
No. 1 fan: Britney shares a hug with Madonna during the fly-on-the-wall show
She admitted during the show that she struggles with life under constant scrutiny of doctors and the courts.
'When I tell people the way I feel, it’s like they hear me, but they aren’t really listening. It’s bad,' she says, breaking in to tears. 'I’m sad.'
The program also documents Miss Spears's surprise duet with Madonna last month, showing backstage scenes of the stars together.
Madonna, who gives the star an affectionate hug, reveals she feels maternal toward the pop star, whom she famously kissed at the MTV Awards in 2003.
Miss Spears says she's hopes the TV special will 'set the record straight' about her life.
Watch Britney's performance on X Factor
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She was dreadful! All that hype - little Miley Cyrus was far, far better even though she looked scared to death when she first started singing. Brilliant performance by her. We agreed as a family, we'd pay to go and see Miley, but never, ever for Britney.
When she looks like that - who cares? I thought it was entertaining and that is what counts.
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I agree - Britney was miming, it was so obvious! She only touched her microphone to give the impression that she was singing live. She should be ashamed that the contestants were so amazing singing live and dancing around the stage. She is obviously not able to do that, and yet she thinks she is so special that she would not even give a few moments to have a word with the contestants. Disgraceful!
- Lynne Folland, Swindon, Wiltshire - UK, 30/11/2008 11:20