After more than a decade of silence, Britney Spears has finally spoken publicly about her conservatorship. “I just want my life back,” Spears said, appearing remotely in court. (Audio of the hearing was streamed live online.) “It’s been 13 years and it’s been enough.”
On Wednesday afternoon, during the latest hearing, the arrangement under which she has lived since early 2008, the pop star addressed Los Angeles Superior Court judge Brenda Penny directly for the first time and argued passionately for her independence.
“I want my life back”
Multiple times, Spears said, “I want my life back,” and stressed that she wanted to end her conservatorship without a psychological evaluation.
She mentions that she had no idea that she could fight the arrangements of her conservatorship.
“I want changes going forward. I deserve changes. I was told I have to sit down and be evaluated, again, if I want to end the conservatorship,” she said. “Ma’am, I didn’t know I could [contest] the conservatorship. I’m sorry for my ignorance, but I honestly didn’t know that. But honestly, I don’t think I owe anyone to be evaluated.”
Brittany told Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny how she is forced to work endlessly without time off. She described how her own management threatened to sue her if she didn’t do her 2018 tour or continue her Vegas residency. When she resisted, Britney said her team “immediately put me on lithium”, which made her feel “drunk”. She went on, “I couldn’t even have a conversation with my mom or dad about anything. I told them I was scared.” She blamed her “ignorant” father, Jamie Spears, saying, “He was the one who approved all of it.”
Listen to the audio below, if you’re unable to view the video, follow this link.
UPDATE: Judge Penny declared today that Bessemer Trust was now a permanent co-conservator—but also noted that she had denied a request to have Jamie Spears removed from that same position. So, to be clear: Britney Spears’ personal conservatorship, covering day-to-day and medical decisions, is in the hands of Jodi Montgomery. Her financial conservatorship, controlling the use of her considerable fortune, is in the hands of her father, and Bessemer Trust.