The hashtag #FreeBritney has been trending for months on and off, but recently it took off. On Wednesday, June 23 Britney Spears shared for the first time what she has been going through and how her conservatorship under her father has given her no freedom or control over herself at a hearing. Now friends, fellow celebrities and fans are all sharing their support for the singer as we all get a glimpse into how Britney feels in her conservatorship that began in 2008.
In a New York Times documentary series, Framing Britney Spears, available on FX and Hulu, the impact that the conservatorship has had on Britney Spears over the years is shown. Along with showing how fans of Britney Spears have been gathering to rally support for the pop star, even before the most recent hearing where Britney opens up for the first time about the harsh reality of being in the conservatorship and the toll it has taken on her.
What is Britney’s conservatorship?
In 2007, Britney Spears was going through a mental health crisis and in 2008 her father Jamie was given control of Britney’s person and estate because of it. This means that for the last 14 years, he has made all decisions when it comes to what she can and can’t do with her body, money and everything else, including her career and getting married.
Britney has been silent on the matter for many years. But for the first time, she shared with the public how she has felt in her conservatorship recently. She called into a hearing at the Los Angeles Superior Court and wanted it to be an open court hearing where everyone could hear what she had to say. Britney Spears said, “I think they have done a good job at exploiting my life… so I feel like it should be an open court hearing and they should listen to hear what I have to say.”
Her last court hearing took place in 2019, the same year she had ended her Las Vegas Residency. Back then she had taken to Twitter to say that she was stepping back to take care of her family as her father had just had a serious health incident that almost took his life.
I don’t even know where to start with this, because this is so tough for me to say. I will not be performing my new show Domination. I’ve been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart. pic.twitter.com/kHgFAVTjNA
— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) January 4, 2019
Throughout the almost-20-minute testimony that Britney Spears gives at the court hearing, she expresses how she just wants to make decisions for herself and that she is able to do that. She wants to be able to have children, control of her body, get married, have control of her money, and ultimately just do what she wants to do.
Britney’s sister, Jamie Lynn, speaks out for the first time
Jamie Lynn Spears is addressing the conservatorship, her sister has been in, on Instagram for the first time. She posted on her Instagram story a number of videos where she says how she has always been supportive of her big sister and doing what is right for herself offline.
In her story, she says that she hasn’t addressed Britney’s conservatorship previously as she wanted her sister to speak for herself first and that until she did it wasn’t her place to speak on Britney’s life. Jamie Lynn says, “I think it is extremely clear that since the day I was born I’ve only loved, adored and supported my sister.”
She went on say , “I don’t care if she wants to run away to a rainforest and have zillion babies in the middle of nowhere, or if she wants to come back and dominate the world the way she has done so many times before, because I have nothing to gain or lose either way.”
Jamie Lynn wiped away tears as she continued on adding that she’s “only concerned about [Britney’s] happiness.” She is also proud of her sister for using her voice to speak up for herself saying, “I’m so proud of her for using her voice. I’m so proud of her for requesting new counsel like I told her many years ago — not on a public platform but just in a personal conversation between two sisters.”
Jamie Lynn ended the emotional video saying that she supports her sister in whatever she wants to do to be happy.
Hollywood celebrities supporting Britney: Christina Aguilera
In a Twitter thread, Christina Aguilera shares her thoughts on Britney Spears’ conservatorship. The two go way back, both getting their star on Disney’s The Mickey Mouse Club in 1993. Britney was just 12-years-old at the time and Christina was 13.
Christina Aguilera started the thread with a photo of the two of them as kids and said, “It is unacceptable that any woman, or human, wanting to be in control of their own destiny might not be allowed to live life as they wish.”
These past few days I’ve been thinking about Britney and everything she is going through.
It is unacceptable that any woman, or human, wanting to be in control of their own destiny might not be allowed to live life as they wish. pic.twitter.com/NRhNwcJaD3
— Christina Aguilera (@xtina) June 29, 2021
Through the numerous posts Christina’s words become more and more powerful. She continues saying, “To be silenced, ignored, bullied or denied support by those ‘close’ to you is the most depleting, devastating and demeaning thing imaginable. The harmful mental and emotional damage this can take on a human spirit is nothing to be taken lightly.”
Christina goes on to believe that Britney has been living without compassion or decency from those in control, based on Britney Spears’ plea for freedom. She ends the thread saying, “To a woman who has worked under conditions and pressure unimaginable to most, I promise you she deserves all of the freedom possible to live her happiest life. My heart goes out to Britney. She deserves all the TRUE love and support in the world.”
Hollywood celebrities supporting Britney: Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake took to Twitter to support Britney after the hearing saying, “we should all be supporting Britney at this time […] No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body.”
After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time.
Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was… what’s happening to her is just not right.
No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 24, 2021
He goes on to say, “No one should EVER be held against their will… or ever have to ask permission to access everything they’ve worked so hard for.” Justin is referencing her estimated $60 million fortune that she doesn’t have access or control of.
He ends by saying, “Jess and I send our love, and our absolute support to Britney during this time. We hope the courts, and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live.”
Other celebrities like Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus, Cher, Sarah Hyland, Bella Hadid, Halsey, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliot, and countless others have all come out supporting Britney as she tries to end her conservatorship. The #FreeBritney movement is continuing as Britney hopes to end her conservatorship without an evaluation. The next step is for Britney and her team to file a petition to have the conservatorship terminated.
We continue to support and wish all the best for Britney! We’re sending HollyGOOD vibes your way, girl!
More Entertainment News Like This: #FreeBritney: Britney Spears asks judge to have father removed as her conservator
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