Britney Spears says she will 'never' perform in the US again, cites 'extremely sensitive reasons'

Britney Spears last performed in the US in October 2018, when she wrapped up her Piece of Me Tour in Austin, Texas
PUBLISHED JAN 10, 2026
Britney Spears announced that she will never perform in the US again but said she hopes to perform with her son in the UK and Australia very soon (Getty Images)
Britney Spears announced that she will never perform in the US again but said she hopes to perform with her son in the UK and Australia very soon (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Britney Spears, on Thursday, January 8, said she will “never perform in the US again,” revealing in a social media post that “extremely sensitive reasons” are behind her decision to step away from American stages.

The pop star also opened up on her frequent Instagram dance videos, admitting, “It is embarrassing sometimes."

Britney Spears hopes to perform in the UK and Australia 'very soon'

The pop superstar shared the announcement in an Instagram post on Thursday, pairing the revelation with a photo of herself seated onstage beside a white piano.

In the caption, Spears made clear that her decision was final, writing, “I will never perform in the US again because of extremely sensitive reasons.”

However, she suggested she may still perform internationally, adding, “But I hope to be sitting on a stool with a red rose in my hair, in a bun, performing with my son … in the UK and Australia very soon.”

Spears continued, “He’s a huge star, and I’m so humbled to be in his presence!!! Godspeed, little man!!!” 

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 18:  Singer Britney Spears attends the announcement of her new residency
Britney Spears attends the announcement of her new residency, 'Britney: Domination', at Park MGM on October 18, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada (Getty Images)

In the same post, the 'Toxic' crooner reflected on her relationship with music and her personal healing process, including her frequent Instagram dance videos.

“Yup, and it’s embarrassing sometimes … but I walked through the fire to save my life,” she wrote, explaining that dancing “heals things in my body that people have no idea about.”

Spears also said she hoped to gift the piano shown in the photo to one of her sons.

She shares two children — Sean Preston and Jayden James — with her ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Spears provided no additional details about her future performances abroad. 

Britney Spears' long pause from stage performances

Spears last performed in the US in October 2018, when she wrapped up her Piece of Me Tour in Austin, Texas.

Britney Spears performs Britney Spears: Piece of Me Remixed. Reimagined. Still iconic on February 26, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/BSLV/Getty Images for Brandcasting, Inc)
Britney Spears performs Britney Spears: Piece of Me Remixed. Reimagined. Still iconic on February 26, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada (Denise Truscello/BSLV/Getty Images for Brandcasting, Inc)

She was scheduled to launch a second Las Vegas residency, Domination, in 2019, but postponed the project before largely stepping away from live performance.

While she has not toured since, Spears has continued to release music, collaborating with Elton John on 'Hold Me Closer' in 2022 and later releasing 'Mind Your Business' in 2023.

Meanwhile, her personal dynamics with her family have often made headlines.

Earlier, Spears hinted at deep emotional scars she says remain after claims made in her ex-husband Federline’s recent memoir 'You Thought You Knew'.

'You thought you knew' is set to be released on October 21 (Screengrab/@federline4real)
Britney said claims made in Kevin Federline's memoir 'You thought you knew' were 'extremely hurtful' (Screengrab/@federline4real)

Recently, the pop star also posted a pointed message for her family after her younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears posted a family Christmas photo.

In the message, the 'Gimme More' singer wrote, "Merry late Christmas to my beautiful family who have never disrespected me, harmed me, ever done anything completely unacceptable or caused unbelievable trauma, the kind you can’t fix."

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