There was a time when Britney Spears’ stage show was one of her only redeeming qualities as a recording artist. Though she always lip-synced, her stage presence and dance abilities thrilled fans. Then came the breakdown and the infamous dead-eyed performance at the 2007 Video Music Awards. Since then, sources say Britney has been trying to overcome nearly crippling levels of stage fright – something she will have to beat if her upcoming tour is going to be successful.

Tickets for Britney Spears’ world tour are already selling out – and nine shows have been added to meet the demands of fans anxious to see her comeback tour. But Britney is feeling the heat. Under pressure to put on the best show if her life, the star has been rehearsing nonstop.

Yet behind the scenes, Britney is is secretly terrified of not living up to expectations.

“Britney has a great time doing choreography and rehearsing, but when it’s time to perform, she gets nervous,” says a source. “She really wants to please her fans.”

Despite a smash single, “Womanizer” and a hit album, Circus, she still feels overshadowed by her humiliating performance at the 1007 VMAs.

…Since being diagnosed with what is believed to be bipolar disorder, Britney has been prescribed a range of medication, which a source says is being adjusted to help her deal with her stage fright.

She’s been prescribed two antianxiety drugs, one of which she is allowed to take only twice weekly,” the source reveals. “She’d been on the other medications before, but now she’s been prescribed a higher dosage to take before performances.”

[From In Touch Weekly print version, Jan. 5, 2009]

I’m not familiar with antianxiety drugs – but one that she can only take twice a week sounds pretty powerful. As for her fears of a repeat of the 2007 VMA debacle, perhaps that’s a good thing. That’s what happens when stars think they can get away with no rehearsals and a mediocre song. I’m not saying she should dwell on it, but if she is serious about getting her career going again, she needs to use that incident as motivation to stay on track and keep taking care of herself. There is definitely a lot riding on this world tour and many people think Britney is rushing things.

Britney Spears is shown performing on 12/2/08 on Good Morning America. Credit: WENN