“I just want my life back,” Britney said in a virtual court meeting.
Popstar Britney Spears, 39, made a formal request on Wednesday that a judge help end her father’s control over her private life and her finances.
The hearing was the first time that the singer appeared in open court in the 13 years since the conservatorship was put in place. She had pleaded with the court before, but the courtroom was cleared and the transcripts sealed.
Around 100 people had gathered on the day of the hearing holding signs that read “Free Britney now!” and “Get out of Britney’s life!”
What she told the judge…
Britney told the judge that she wants to get married to her partner and have a child, but could not do so due to the conservatorship.
“This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good,” the singer told the LA court hearing via telephone.
“I want to end this conservatorship without being evaluated.”
Britney criticized her dad, James Spears, who has been controlling her life for most of the time since the conservatorship was put in place back in 2008 when she went through a mental health crisis.
“I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive,” she said. “My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship and my management who played a key role in punishing … they should be in jail.”
Judge Brenda Penny said that the popstar’s lawyers had to submit a formal petition to the court before she could do anything about it. She also applauded her for taking action, saying:
“I know it took a lot of courage.”
Lots of fans and news cameras outside the courthouse now. Spears’s hearing is scheduled to start in about 10 minutes. pic.twitter.com/PT7g6zWuxw
— Stephanie K. Baer (@skbaer) June 23, 2021
The reason Britney is under conservatorship…
The depths of Britney’s mental health condition are not publicly known, and she has previously admitted that the conservatorship saved her from financial collapse.
However, in her recent court appearance, she said it has emotionally devastated her.
Britney’s father became her conservator after she entered psychiatric care following a custody fight with her ex-husband Kevin Federline. James was subsequently given the power to negotiate her business deals and properties. On top of that, he can legally restrict people from seeing her.
The state of California permits conservatorship for those unable to adequately care for themselves or run their own finances.
See actress Rose McGowan’s comments regarding the ‘rot in the machine’ of the Hollywood system and her message of support for Britney in the video below.
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