ANAHEIM – Fans crowded the Honda Center on Sunday night to catch a glimpse of Britney Spears, who made a stop in Anaheim with "The Circus Starring Britney Spears," her first arena tour in five years.

"I'm so excited because it's been a while," said Nick Armendariz, 20, of Riverside, who has been to 10 Spears concerts. "I just want to see her and see how she's come back from that mess she's been in. I'm excited to see what she's going to do. She's always put on such a good show – so much theatrics."

Most fans said they supported Spears during her paparazzi tirade and rumors of drug abuse, weight gain and depression – especially those who came dressed as their favorite "Britney."

"I never stopped loving her," said 16-year old Deran Stehl of Orange, who dressed as "Baby One More Time" Britney in a miniskirt, pigtails and a white button-down shirt. "She was a lot more innocent at first, but now she's not. I still think she's amazing."

Peter Kreha, 29, of San Bernardino dressed as "Toxic" Britney in a futuristic blue flight attendant uniform from Spears' music video, "Toxic.

"I'm glad she's back in the game," Kreha said as he tossed a stray strand of blond wig hair out of his face. "I think the hard times just made her stronger."

Fans first got a preview of Spears' return to the concert scene during Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet Tour" at the beginning of last year.

Xavier Salians, 29, of Hollywood, who was sporting "Britney bling," was at the Madonna concert when he saw Spears.

"I was, like: 'Oh, my God! It's Britney! She's coming back,'" he said. "I couldn't stop screaming."

And that's what Salians did when Spears hit the stage.

Concert-goers had high expectations of the pop princess, who had been MIA from the concert circuit since 2004's "In the Zone Tour."

"I want to see her dancing," said Jenna Gollands, 15, of Anaheim. "She's just so great."

But not all those in attendance were optimistic about Spears' performance.

"I want to see her fall," said John Richard, 16, of Rancho Cucamonga. "That would be pretty funny."

Spears' tour kicked off in March in New Orleans with opening act The Pussycat Dolls.

Spears performs again in Anaheim at 8 tonight.

She performed Tuesday night in Los Angeles, where celebrities such as Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan, Ron Jeremy, Lauren "Lo" Bosworth and Nicole Richie reportedly attended.

"I feel like her freakout just proved she's human like everyone else," said Morgan McGee, 15, of Anaheim. "She's so great, and it's been really amazing to see her transformation. She's still my idol."