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US pop singer Britney Spears just asked a judge to end her conservatorship that has micromanaged and controlled her life since 2008. To make her case, Spears delivered a long and heartfelt speech, detailing the horrific treatment she has received from her father and others who have controlled her life through the past 13 years of conservatorship. She made the speech in front of a judge at a hearing in Los Angeles, California.
When talking about the conservatorship, Spears termed it as “abusive,” saying:
I just want my life back, I’m not here to be anyone’s slave. I’m traumatized, I’m not happy, I can’t sleep, I’m so angry and I cry every day.
Spears delivered her long and emotional speech by phone, condemning the legal arrangement that gave her father complete control over her life. She continued:
I want to end this conservatorship without being evaluated. This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good. I deserve to have a life.
Britney Spears was put under court-mandated conservatorship back in 2008 when she underwent a mental health crisis in 2008. It has for now saved her from financial ruin as well as kept her name alive as a top-flight pop star. Britney Spears’ father James Spears and other co-conservators argued that her assets, worth $50 million, are vulnerable to fraud and manipulation. Thus, the burden is on Spears to prove her competence.
Britney Spears not allowed to remove her contraceptive device
Spears further revealed that she had intentions of getting married again and having a child. However, she is unable to do so because she has a contraceptive device that she can’t have removed because she’s not allowed to go to a doctor. And the reason is “because they don’t want me to have children”. She continued:
All I want is to own my money and for this to end and for my boyfriend to be able to drive me in his f***ing car.
In the 20-minute-long speech, Spears revealed details that had been kept a secret for the past 13 years. Her co-conservator’s lawyer tried to argue in court that the hearing and transcript should be kept private because it revealed her medical details. However, Spears shouted the lawyer down and wanted her words out in public, saying:
They’ve interfered with my life so I feel like it should be an open court hearing and they should listen and hear what I have to say.
Britney Spears also mentioned how her co-conservators forced her to take lithium in 2019 against her will after rehearsals broke down for a planned Vegas residency. The residency was eventually canceled, but all she had done was disagree with a single part of the choreography of the show. She said:
I’m not here to be anyone’s slave. I can say no to a dance move.
Related: The Tragic Life Story of Britney Spears | Her Disturbing Past
Fans show the pop star their support
Fans of Britney Spears are just as vocal for her support. 100 fans of the #FreeBritney campaign gathered outside the LA court before the hearing. Their signs read “Free Britney now!” and “Get out of Britney’s life!”
Moreover, a recent documentary named Framing Britney Spears has also stirred public opinion in her favor. All of the previous court proceedings were kept secret from the public, which made her feel unheard. However, the judge thanked her for her remarks, calling her “courageous.
Outside the court, one fan who traveled cross country from from Richmond, Virginia told AlJazeera news:
I’m a mom and I’m a fan. We’re here to hear what she has to say. She’s been treated like a child for the last 13 years, she hasn’t had control of her life or her finances, even though she’s clearly capable enough to do those things.
The case has been adjourned until Wednesday. Her court-appointed lawyer also made a request for the pop star to address the court at an April hearing. However, Spears has not officially asked her lawyer to file a petition to end the conservatorship.