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Every now and then, a rumor resurfaces about Britney Spears’ legendary album cover for “Oops! … I Did It Again.” Fans have long speculated that the shoot took place at the home of rock star Lenny Kravitz. This intriguing tidbit gained traction on social media, with Reddit threads and Instagram posts celebrating the supposed connection.
However, on the 25th anniversary of the album’s release, the truth has finally come to light.
Debunking the myth
According to Ruth Levy, the executive producer for photographer Mark Seliger, the iconic album cover was not shot at Kravitz’s residence.
Despite their close friendship, the shoot took place at Quixote Studios in West Hollywood, California, nearly 3,000 miles away from Kravitz’s former home in Miami. This revelation puts an end to the long-standing speculation that has captivated fans for years.
A memorable encounter
While Kravitz didn’t lend his home for the shoot, he did have a memorable moment with his daughter, Zoë Kravitz, who met Britney Spears on the LA soundstage back in 2000. Zoë, then just 11 years old, recalled how her father surprised her with a visit to the set.
She described meeting “the biggest star in the world” as “very, very cool,” highlighting the impact Spears had on her at such a young age.
The creative process behind the cover
The album cover’s design was a labor of love, crafted by production designer Walter Barnett.
He drew inspiration from 1960s aesthetics, meticulously sourcing images from printed materials, as Google Images was not yet available. Barnett created two distinct sets for the shoot, one for the album cover and another for its lead single. The final product featured a youthful Spears in a brown whipstitched crop top and matching low-rise pants, adorned with chandelier crystals that draped elegantly over her shoulders.
The album itself was a monumental success, making history as the first LP by a female artist in the US to sell 1.32 million copies in its first week. This record stood for 15 years until Adele’s “25” surpassed it in 2015. In addition to the title track, “Oops!” produced hit singles like “Lucky,” “Stronger,” and “Don’t Let Me Be the Last to Know,” solidifying Spears’ status as a pop icon.
Now, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this groundbreaking album, fans can enjoy a special edition featuring bonus tracks and remixes, reminding us all of the enduring legacy of Britney Spears and her unforgettable contributions to music.
