Britney Spears on Wednesday called her court-ordered conservatorship “abusive” and requested that a Los Angeles judge consider ending the arrangement that has controlled her career, finances and personal decisions for more than a decade.
The 38-year-old pop star sounded off on her father, Jamie Spears, who was named the sole conservator in 2008 when the arrangement was implemented. “I think this conservatorship is abusive. I don’t think I can live a full life,” Britney told the court Wednesday. “I feel ganged up on, I feel bullied and I feel alone.”
Britney detailed her father’s “complete control” over her life and choices, saying it left her feeling ashamed and “traumatized.” The singer requested to hire her own attorney, cut back on therapy sessions and end the conservatorship without extensive mental health evaluations.
“I want changes going forward,” the singer said.
Her comments follow her court-appointed lawyer’s attempts to remove her father from the conservatorship. Last summer, her attorney told the court Britney “strongly opposed” her father’s control of her estate and wanted him removed. But the judge denied the request, instead, appointing an independent financial group, Bessemer Trust, to serve as a co-conservator to managing her estate alongside her father.
Jamie’s legal team has argued the conservatorship has taken Britney’s estate from in debt to an evaluation of $60 million and has said his only motivation has been his “unconditional love for his daughter and a fierce desire to protect her from those trying to take advantage of her.”
Her father previously oversaw the star’s personal and medical decisions. In 2019, he voluntarily stepped down due to health issues and Jodi Montgomery, a licensed care manager, took over as temporary conservator of Britney’s personal care.
Britney’s lawyers have said she vowed not to perform as long as her father was in control of her career. Last week, Britney answered questions from her fans on Instagram and addressed her hiatus from music.
“The (final) question is, am I ready to take the stage again? Am I gonna take the stage again? Will I ever take the stage again?” she said. “I have no idea. I’m having fun right now. I’m in a transition in my life and I’m enjoying myself, so that’s it.”
This story will be updated.
Justin Carissimo contributed reporting.
