Everything You Need to Know About #FreeBritney

If you’ve been on social media at all the last few weeks, you’ll have seen #FreeBritney trending. The controversial conservatorship and her ongoing legal battle to break free has put the ‘Pop Princess’ back in the spotlight. The case is moving a mile a minute, having finally broken into the mainstream media. We’re covering everything you need to know about the #FreeBritney case and why Papa Spears is not on our holiday card list. 

Britney’s Conservatorship

To find out more about #FreeBritney, we have to go back to 2008. It was the year after a series of dramatic paparazzi moments and a custody battle with her ex-husband. We’ve all seen the photos of Britney shaving her head and smashing the window of a photographer’s car. 2008 saw Britney make a comeback onto the music scene with her iconic ‘Circus’ album. It became an instant hit with a sold-out tour and a Las Vegas residency.

Yet 2008 was notable for more than just her music success – it’s also the year Britney became the subject of a conservatorship. 

A conservatorship is where a judge gives an individual or organization the duty of care for an adult who they deem unfit to look after themselves – or their finances. As a conservatee, Britney’s conservator was her father, Jamie.

Although it was essentially an open secret, the details of Britney’s conservatorship have been rarely spoken about. The conservatorship began in 2008 as a ‘temporary’ measure with her father being given control over everything from her finances to health and business dealings.

The #FreeBritney Movement

Die-hard Britney fans have always had questions about the conservatorship, but alarm bells started to ring over Britney’s social media. There’s even a podcast dedicated to analyzing her Instagram – the Britney’s Gram podcast. They’re responsible for resurrecting the #FreeBritney movement after a lawyer left an anonymous message expressing concern for Britney under her father’s care. 

The original #FreeBritney movement started in 2009 but has only recently gained mainstream traction in recent months.

Britney’s Testimony

The reason why #FreeBritney is trending is due to recent court cases, during which Britney has tried to oppose her father continuing in his position as her sole conservator.

The most heartbreaking part of the recent case was Britney’s testimony. An audio clip made its way online thanks to #FreeBritney supporters who were there on the day. The pop star described how she feels “ganged up on, bullied, left out, and alone”. 

Much like her hit single, ‘Overprotected’, Britney described how restricted her life was. She’s unable to schedule breaks from work, marry her boyfriend, or even have her IUD. Britney has said she wanted to have another baby, but the conservators refuse to allow her to remove her IUD – as they also have control over health issues.

Perhaps saddest of all is that Britney didn’t know she could request to end her conservatorship. During her testimony, she described feeling “enslaved” by her father – describing how she was put on lithium by a therapist, making her feel drunk and scared. 

What’s clear is that Britney has been traumatized by her father and that she’s willing to take every step possible to remove her father from his position in her conservatorship. A week after her testimony, Britney lost her case against her father. Britney’s request for the Bessemer Trust to become a co-conservator was accepted.

The #FreeBritney campaign will continue – but in the words of one of the first viral videos, “leave Britney alone”.