On Wednesday, Britney Spears labeled her court-ordered conservatorship “abusive,” arguing with a Los Angeles judge to terminate the order, which has ruled over her career, finances, and personal decisions for over a decade.
Her father, Jamie Spears, was named sole conservator of her estate in 2008 when the arrangement was put in place and currently serves as a co-conservator. “I think this conservatorship is abusive. I don’t think I can live a full life,” Britney informed the court. “I feel ganged up on, I feel bullied, and I feel alone.”
“I shouldn’t be in a conservatorship if I can work and provide money and work for myself and pay other people. It makes no sense.”
Britney claims her father has “complete control” over her life and decisions, which she claims makes her ashamed and traumatized. The singer asked to hire her own lawyer, reduce therapy sessions, and end the conservatorship without undergoing lengthy mental health exams. She said that the agreement prevents her and her partner, Sam Asghari, from raising a family.
“I want to be able to get married and have a baby. I was told I’m not able to get married,” the singer claimed. “I have an IUD inside me, so I won’t get pregnant, but this so-called team won’t let me go to the doctor to take it out.”
She said, “This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good.”
Judge Brenda Penny of the Los Angeles County Superior Court encouraged Britney to petition the court to dissolve the conservatorship and praised her for speaking up in court. “Mrs. Spears, I just want to commend you again for really stepping forward and stepping out to have your thoughts heard by not only myself but everybody who has been involved in this case,” she said. “I just want to let you know how much I appreciate that.”
Britney’s remarks come after her court-appointed lawyer attempted to have her father removed from the conservatorship. Britney’s lawyer told the court last summer that she “strongly opposed” her father’s influence over her assets and wanted him removed. However, the judge turned down the proposal instead of appointing Bessemer Trust, an independent financial firm, as a co-conservator to manage her estate alongside her father.
Jamie’s legal team claims that the conservatorship has increased Britney’s estate’s value from zero to $60 million and that his only purpose was his “unconditional love for his daughter and a fierce desire to protect her from those trying to take advantage of her.”
Vivian Thoreen, Jamie’s attorney, made a brief statement on behalf of her client, who was present at the court, “He is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain,” Thoreen said. “Mr. Spears loves his daughter and misses her very much.”
Originally, her father was in charge of the actress’s personal and medical decisions. Due to health difficulties, he stepped down in 2019, and Jodi Montgomery, a licensed care manager, was named temporary conservator of Britney’s personal care.
The singer alleged on Wednesday that she was forced to perform gigs during her 2018 Las Vegas residency. Britney stated she resisted starting a new Vegas show after postponing the tour in 2019 and was accused of refusing her medicine. She stated she was then given Lithium, which made her feel nauseous and unable to stand up for herself.
“I couldn’t even have a conversation with my mom or dad really about anything,” she said. “There were six different nurses in my home, and they wouldn’t let me get in my car to go anywhere for a month.”
According to Britney’s lawyers, she promised not to perform as long as her father remained in charge of her career. Britney Spears responded to fan questions on Instagram this week, saying she was having fun and wasn’t sure when she’d return to the stage.
On Wednesday, she painted a much darker picture. “I’ve lied and told the whole world I’m OK and I’m happy — it’s a lie. I thought just maybe if I said that enough, maybe I might become happy because I’ve been in denial. I’ve been in shock. I am traumatized.”
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