Britney Spears is looking to make some big changes to her conservatorship. Britney has been under a court-ordered conservatorship since 2008. Her public struggles around the time had those closest to her deeply concerned for her well-being.
Britney's conservatorship has been the subject of much talk recently. Fans of Britney believe the terms of her conservatorship are over the top, infringing on the pop star's rights. The #FreeBritney movement was born of their desire to see her have more control over her own life.
Britney has never publicly spoken out about the conservatorship before. Recent court filings are the closest we've come in getting her perspective on the matter.
Documents filed by Britney's court-appointed attorney request that Britney's father, James "Jamie" Spears, be ousted as her sole conservator. Jamie hasn't been in the top spot since last September. The 38-year-old pop star is asking that her current temporary conservator, Jodi Pais Montgomery, be placed in charge permanently.
Britney Spears has long been a mystifying public figure. The 38-year-old pop star had a meteoric rise to fame at an early age. Many people have pointed to her being thrust in the spotlight at such a young age as the reason why the star has struggled.
Britney's highly publicized struggles beginning in 2007 led to her being placed under conservatorship in 2008. At the time, many believed this move from her camp was to help Britney get back on her feet. They never imagined that she'd still be under the same conservatorship 12 years later.
For the first 11 years of the conservatorship, Britney's father, Jamie Spears, served as co-conservator with attorney Andrew M. Wallet. Andrew resigned from the role last year. That left Jamie in control of Britney's life, finances, and career.
The original paperwork for the conservatorship says that Britney needed such assistance because she suffered from dementia. Medical professionals familiar with the condition have spoken out on the unlikeliness of this, although Britney's particular condition has never been specified publicly.
Jamie decided to temporarily step down as his daughter's conservator last year. Although his filing cited health issues, there was also an incident with one of his grandchildren, Britney's then 13-year-old son, Sean. Jamie allegedly physically lashed out at the teen. Both Sean and brother Jayden were granted restraining orders against Jamie.
Britney has never spoken out about her conservatorship. The 38-year-old's feelings were made known in new court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday.
"Britney is strongly opposed to James' return as conservator of her person," the document says.
Britney is asking that the licensed conservator who replaced Jamie last September be permanently put in the role. Jodi Pais Montgomery's temporary role is set to end on August 22. The documents also emphasize that Britney is not waiving her right to terminate the conservatorship altogether at a later date.
The court documents also reveal that Britney has no immediate plans to perform again. She last performed live in October 2018. She was due for another Las Vegas residency in 2019 but canceled, citing her father's health issues.
Many fans have said that Britney is capable of managing herself at this stage in her life. Despite this, the court documents say that Britney has praised the role the conservatorship has played in her life and career. She says that it has "rescued her from a collapse, exploitation by predatory individuals and financial ruin" and that it made her "able to regain her position as a world-class entertainer."
Britney's legal team appeared in court on Wednesday for a status hearing on the conservatorship. The hearing was closed to the public and media. That didn't stopped some of the pop star's most die-hard fans from showing up in support of her, as they have at previous hearings.
Among those outside Wednesday's hearing were two people who knew Britney personally. One of those people was Britney's former makeup artist, Billy B. He addressed the crowd passionately.
"All of us want Britney to be well and love what she does," he noted, pointing out that Britney cannot even step away from her career without approval if that was what she wanted.
The other person was Britney's longtime friend, Jason Alexander. You may recall that he and Britney tied the knot in Vegas in 2004, only to have it annulled 55 hours later.
"I'm here to show support for the #FreeBritney movement and Britney," Jason said, revealing to Us Weekly that he spoke to Britney the day before.
"This is an unfortunate situation that's been in her life for a long time. It's affected me and her, and that makes me part of it. I've been quiet for 10 years, and I feel [like] what a good time to come forward now with the movement making noise and the conservatorship hearings going on."
The ACLU has even spoken out on Britney's behalf, offering help if she wants it.
"People with disabilities have a right to lead self-directed lives and retain their civil rights," the organization shared in a statement on Twitter.
"If Britney Spears wants to regain her civil liberties and get out of her conservatorship, we are here to help her."
At Wednesday's hearing, Los Angeles Judge Brenda Penny granted the motion to seal a hearing and transcripts in Britney's conservatorship case. The judge also extended the temporary letters of conservatorship through February 1, 2021. Britney's attorney, Samuel Ingham, has until September 18 to file a petition.
