US pop star Britney Spears attended a court hearing where she launched a scathing attack against her “abusive” conservatorship. It has controlled her life for 13 years.
The court grant a conservatorship for individuals who are not able to make their own decisions, for example those with mental illnesses. Spears’ conservatorship covers two aspects. One is for her estate and financial affairs, and the other for her personally.
Speaking for the first time in open court about the case, she alleged her father controlled her “100,000%”. A court order granted Jamie Spears control over his daughter’s affairs in 2008 after she hospitalisation over concerns for her mental health.
Speaking to a judge in Los Angeles via telephone, the pop star told how traumatised she was, and that she cried every day. She summed it up by simply saying, “I just want my life back”. LA Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny thanked Spears, now aged 39, for her “courageous” words.
A lengthy legal process is now likely to follow before making any rulings on ending the conservatorship.
‘I deserve to have a life’
Fans have speculated for years about Spears’ feelings over the arrangement, searching her social media for any hints or clues. Now they finally have some insight.
In an emotional 20 minute statement via video link, Spears said, “I want to end this conservatorship without being evaluated”. “I deserve to have a life, I’ve worked my whole life”. She adds, “this conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good”. “I’m not happy, I can’t sleep. I’m so angry and I cry every day”.
Spears, a mother of two, claims she was even denied the right to have more children. She explained how she wanted to marry her boyfriend and have baby together. But the conservatorship would not allow her to fall pregnant, as it stopped the removal of a contraceptive intrauterine device (IUD).
According to Spears, she was also put on the psychiatric drug lithium against her wishes. This is a common medicine for bipolar disorder, which caused her to feel like she was drunk and unable to communicate properly.
In 2019, Jamie Spears stepped down temporarily as his daughter’s personal conservator due to health reasons. The singer requests for this to become permanent, and install care professional Jodi Montgomery into the role instead.
Jamie Spears’ legal team insist he has done a good job managing his daughter’s finances. According to Mr Spear’s lawyer, he is troubled by the allegations from his daughter in court. He says in a statement, “he is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain”. The court also heard how much he loves and misses his daughter.
#FreeBritney Campaign
The campaign slogan apparently originates from a fan site that disagreed with the conservatorship arrangement in 2009.
Campaigners believe the singer was forced to stay under the agreement, and regularly demonstrate outside court hearings. Dozens gathered outside the latest hearing, saying how heartbreaking it was. One of the founders of the movement says the situation was worse than she thought, but is “thankful that her truth is out there and it cannot be denied anymore”.
Campaigners have even submitted petitions to the White House containing tens of thousands of signatures asking for an end to Britney’s conservatorship.
The campaign renewed its prominence in 2019 when Spears abruptly cancelled a Las Vegas residency and checked into a mental health centre because of emotional distress.
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