Britney Spears is finally having her voice heard.
The superstar singer addressed a Los Angeles judge remotely on Wednesday, June 23 for the latest hearing on her conservatorship. According to NBC News, who had a reporter inside the courtroom, the 39-year-old mother of two wants her conservatorship to end.
“I want to end the conservatorship without being evaluated,” Britney told a judge. “In the meantime, I want this therapist to come to my home…I’m not willing to go to Westlake and be embarrassed by all these paparazzi.”
According to NBC News, Britney alleged that she has been subjected to numerous psych evaluations, medications and that she has been traumatized by her father Jamie Spears through his control. She told the court that she didn’t speak up publicly because she feared no one would believe her. “After I’ve lied and told the whole world I’m OK and I’m happy…I’m not OK, ” she shared. “I’m not happy, I can’t sleep.”
After Britney spoke, an attorney shared a statement on behalf of Jamie. “Mr. Spears is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain,” the statement read. “Mr. Spears loves his daughter and misses her very much.”
Back on April 27, E! News was present for a virtual court hearing when Britney’s attorney, Sam Ingham, said the performer would like the judge to set a status hearing in order for her to “address the court directly.” Following the request, a judge scheduled a status hearing for today.
Britney was first placed on a conservatorship in 2008. Her father was appointed co-conservator of Britney’s estate along with Andrew M. Wallet, with permanent letters of conservatorship being issued in 2009. Andrew resigned from the position in 2019, allowing Bessemer Trust Co. to serve as a co-conservator alongside Jamie.
Some fans, however, have been questioning if Jamie should have such a prominent role in the legal order while others wonder if a conservatorship is still necessary. In fact, the #FreeBritney movement has only grown after the “Framing Britney Spears” episode of The New York Times Presents docu-series premiered on FX in February 2021. For more bombshells from today’s hearing, keep scrolling.
Jim Smeal/ShutterstockBritney’s Rights: During the hearing, the singer said she was not aware that she could ever request to end the conservatorship. “I haven’t done anything in the world to deserve this treatment,” she shared. “It’s not OK to force me to do anything I don’t want to do.”
Public Request: Britney supported an open court hearing in hopes that the public and her fans would be able to hear from her, instead of Jamie’s team. “They’ve done a good job at exploiting my life,” Britney said. “So, I feel like it should be an open court hearing and they should listen to what I have to say.”
A Brighter Future: During Britney’s statement, the “Lucky” singer said she wants to get married and have a baby, but is unable to under the conservatorship. She alleged the conservators won’t approve of her removing her birth control. The Grammy nominee also added that she’d like for her boyfriend to be able to drive her in his car. As she explained, “I deserve to have the same rights as anybody does by having a child, a family, any of those things.”
COVID Protocols: During the coronavirus pandemic, Britney claimed she was not allowed to practice self-care like massages, acupuncture and hair and nail services. She wondered why her maids had different nail colors every week and her mom was able to go to a spa in Louisiana.
Feeling “Exposed:” According to Britney, she must complete therapy two days a week in “one of the most exposed places” in Westlake, Calif. She questioned why the people around her forced her to visit a place where paparazzi were always present and ready to snap photos.
Perils of Conservatorships: During her statement, Britney told the judge that she is just one of thousands of people who are victims of “abusive” conservatorships. According to the singer, having the power to speak up is valuable. “I wish I could stay on the phone with you forever,” she told the judge via NBC News. “I feel bullied, and I feel left out and alone. I’m tired of feeling alone.”
In a recent statement, Jamie’s attorney Vivian Lee Thoreen shed light on what her client wishes for the pop star.
“[Jamie] would love nothing more than to see Britney not need a conservatorship,” his attorney shared with CNN. “Whether or not there is an end to the conservatorship really depends on Britney. If she wants to end her conservatorship, she can file a petition to end it.”
Vivian added, “Jamie is not suggesting that he is the perfect dad or that he would receive any ‘Father of the Year’ award. Like any parent, he doesn’t always see eye-to-eye on what Britney may want. But Jamie believes every single decision he has made has been in her best interest.”
One outspoken critic of Jamie is Britney’s longtime boyfriend Sam Asghari. In a social media post in February, the fitness trainer accused Jamie of being controlling.
“Now it’s important for people to understand that I have zero respect for someone trying to control our relationship and constantly throwing obstacles our way,” Sam wrote on Twitter. “In my opinion, Jamie is a total dick. I won’t be going into details because I’ve always respected our privacy but at the same time, I didn’t come to this country to not be able to express my opinion and freedom.”
Jamie’s lawyer, however, see the situation completely different.
“I understand that every story needs a villain, but people have it so wrong here,” Jamie’s attorney shared on Good Morning America. “This is a story about a fiercely loving, dedicated and loyal father who rescued his daughter from a life-threatening situation. People were harming her, and they were exploiting her. Jamie saved Britney’s life.”
