Britney Spears asks for end to conservatorship in open court
The 39-year-old pop star delivers stunning testimony, telling a judge the conservatorship has been abusive. FOX's Ashley Dvorkin with more
Britney Spears is speaking to her fans directly one day after requesting an end to her conservatorship.
"I just want to tell you guys a little secret," the pop star began her Instagram post on Thursday. "I believe as people we all want the fairy tale life and by the way I’ve posted … my life seems to look and be pretty amazing … I think that’s what we all strive for !!!!"
"That was one of my mother’s best traits … no matter how s--tty a day was when I was younger … for the sake of me and my siblings she always pretended like everything was ok," Spears, 39, continued of her mother Lynne.
"I’m bringing this to peoples [sic] attention because I don’t want people to think my life is perfect because IT’S DEFINITELY NOT AT ALL … and if you have read anything about me in the news this week … you obviously really know now it’s not !!!!" Spears added.
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"I apologize for pretending like I’ve been ok the past two years … I did it because of my pride and I was embarrassed to share what happened to me … but honestly who doesn’t want to capture there [sic] Instagram in a fun light !!!!" the mom of two explained.
"Believe it or not pretending that I’m ok has actually helped … so I decided to post this quote today because by golly if you’re going through hell … I feel like Instagram has helped me have a cool outlet to share my presence … existence … and to simply feel like I matter despite what I was going through and hey it worked … so I’ve decided to start reading more fairy tales," the "Toxic" singer concluded her post.
Alongside her caption, Spears shared a quote that some attribute to Albert Einstein.
"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales - Albert Einstein."
During the virtual hearing in a Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, Spears expressed her desire to have her conservatorship end.
"I don't think I was heard on any level," Spears says of the last time she spoke to the court in 2019. The Grammy winner’s court-appointed lawyer, Samuel D. Ingham III, also addressed the court and indicated that he would not interrupt Spears at any moment.
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During her speech, Spears alleged that her father, Jamie Spears, "loved" the control he held over her as her conservator.
James P. Spears, otherwise known as Jamie, was appointed his daughter’s conservator in 2008 after Spears was taken to a hospital by ambulance to undergo involuntary psychiatric evaluations – which the "Baby… One More Time" performer told the court in 2019 that she felt was a forced move by the conservatorship.
Britney Spears with her mom Lynne. Jamie Spears is pictured on the far right. (Getty Images)
"I want changes and I want changes going forward," Spears said in her address to the court. The star went on to note that she doesn’t want to be evaluated to determine if she has regained her mental capacity.
"I just want my life back," she said. "All I want is to own my money and for my boyfriend to be able to drive me in his car. I want to sue my family."
Currently, both Jamie and Bessemer Trust oversee Spears' estate, which includes all of her financial decisions, and Jamie will have a chance to object to any petition to completely remove him from his post as co-conservator.
BRITNEY SPEARS REQUESTS THAT HER CONSERVATORSHIP END: 'I JUST WANT MY LIFE BACK'
During the hearing, Jamie's attorney Vivian Thoreen gave a brief statement on his behalf after conferring with him during a recess.
"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."
Ingham III made a request for Spears to address the court at an April hearing. He said Spears has not officially asked him to file a petition to end the conservatorship, but will if she makes the request.
Britney Spears has requested her conservatorship end. (J. Merritt/Getty Images for GLAAD)
The judge said Wednesday that several actions need to be taken based on the issues in Spears’ testimony before the case moves forward. Spears must file a formal petition to end the conservatorship, which has not yet been submitted to the court. After it is filed, an investigator -- appointed by the court – will talk with everyone that is part of the court-ordered arrangement.
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This includes filing to end the conservatorship, changing Spears' care plan and allowing her to choose her own counsel. The judge suggested all parties communicate among themselves regarding future dates and requested they reach out to the court when they come to an agreement.
Furthermore, future court proceedings might be sealed moving forward. Ingham III indicated it was Spears who made the request.
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"Since she has made the remarks that she was able to make on the public record today, she believes that it will be advisable for proceedings to be sealed going forward," Ingham III relayed to the court.
An attorney for Spears' temporary conservator, Jodi Montgomery, pushed for sealed proceedings moving forward as well.
Fox News' Julius Young contributed to this report
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