Britney Spears Speaks Out for the First Time in Conservatorship Battle: "I Just Want My Life Back"

"The main reason why I'm here is because I want to end the conservatorship without being evaluated"

BY Allie GregoryPublished Jun 23, 2021

Speaking out for the first time about her conservatorship battle with her father Jamie Spears, Britney Spears has virtually addressed a Los Angeles court, asking the judge to help her regain control over her life, finances and legal representation.

During the hearing, the 39-year-old told the court that she is "not here to be anyone's slave," according to ET.

"I'm so angry I can't sleep, and I am depressed," she added. "I want to be heard. I want changes and I want changes going forward. I deserve changes."

The singer continued: "I just want my life back. It's been 13 years and it's enough."

Spears revealed that she wants to sue her family over the longstanding arrangement, and wants to hand-pick her own lawyer, instead of having one appointed to her.

She also claimed that she is unable to have a baby because of an intrauterine contraceptive device that she is forced to wear due to the constraints of the arrangement [via Consequence].

"The main reason why I'm here is because I want to end the conservatorship without being evaluated," she said. "I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive."

The hearing, which took place virtually, was requested by Britney's lawyer over a year ago. The pop star has been under the control of her father's conservatorship for 13 years. The arrangement was put into effect in 2008 when the singer was publicly struggling with her mental health.

Hulu's New York Times Presents documentary, Framing Britney Spears, sparked renewed public interest in the star's legal constraints and further empowered the #FreeBritney movement when it arrived back in February. 

As detailed in the Hulu doc, Spears does not plan to perform again while her father is in charge of her career, freedom and finances. The doc also alleged that Jamie Spears is using Britney's custody of her children as a bargaining chip to keep her silent, while he benefits financially from his control over her life. 

Jamie Spears' lawyer Vivian Thoreen previously claimed that Britney has never asked her father to step down from the conservatorship, but according to a report from NYT published this week, confidential court records confirm that the singer had urged for changes to the arrangement "that controls her life, and her father's role in leading it."

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