More than 20 years after its release, Britney Spears' "Toxic" has become one of the iconic songs and music videos of our generation, but the inspiration for her lyrics about a "toxic" lover has always been a mystery. But now, fans think they've figured out who "Toxic" is — and it's not even someone Spears has ever been in contact with.
TikTok user Jason Pargin explains in a new video that "Toxic" was likely written about a veterinarian named Noel Fitzpatrick, who now works for the BBC Host of the show Super Vet . He didn't date Spears, but he did date Kathy Dennis, one of the song's co-writers. They broke up in 2003, the same year they wrote "Toxic".
Fitzpatrick was aware of the rumor and was even asked about it on British show This Morning. "Is this you in this song? Is it you? Please say yes," host Holly Willoughby asked.
"You might have to ask Kylie Minogue if 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' is about me," he replied.
Fitzpatrick was referring to the fact that Dennis also co-wrote Can't Get You Out of My Head, which was released in 2001 while they were still dating. (She also provided Minogue with the song "Toxic" before Spears recorded her 2003 album Body Language .)
As such, Fitzpatrick likely provided inspiration for two classic pop songs from the early 2000s. However, as Parkin noted on TikTok, "No one can know for sure."
"Toxic" was one of Spears' biggest hits from the start, reaching the Billboard top 10 for the first time since 2000's "Oops!... I Did It Again" (due in part to the Clear Channel strike She received less radio play) and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
More than two decades later, "Toxic" has become one of Spears' signature songs. In recent years, stars like Madonna and Harry Styles have covered the song, and Beyoncé even tried it when she performed "Thique" on her Renaissance World Tour.
