A t a Crossroads “She is a grown woman who has been unhappy for too long,” a music source says of Britney (performing in 2016). The Fight Over Britney’s Future AFTER 13 YEARS OF LIVING UNDER A CONSERVATORSHIP, THE PRINCESS OF POP IS PLEADING FOR FREEDOM— AND SPEAKING OUT LIKE NEVER BEFORE By BRIANNE TRACY NOAM GALAI/FILMMAGIC NOAM

July 12, 2021 39 Just hours after giving an impassioned 23 minutes of testimony during a conservatorship hearing in a Los Angeles court on June 23, jet- ted off to Hawaii with her actor-model boyfriend Sam Asghari for some much-needed R&R. On the plane ride Asghari, 27, shared a sweet Insta- gram video of himself and the singer, 39, goofing around—but their giggles belied the stress that sources say the couple have been feeling for weeks. “They’re trying to enjoy a few quiet days together in Hawaii, which is Britney’s favorite place,” says a source close to the Spears family. “She and Sam have been through so much together. Britney was very nervous about speaking in front of the judge, but this is her life—and she wants big changes.” Britney’s emotional—and at times shocking— speech came amid intense renewed interest in the pop superstar’s legal situation. It’s the first time in 13 years Britney has publicly addressed her con- servatorship, under which her father, Jamie, and others have held the power to make her personal and financial decisions since 2008, when Britney’s erratic behavior culminated in two involuntary 5150 holds in a psychiatric hospital. “I’ve been in shock. I am traumatized,” said Britney, who called into court via phone and abruptly cut off a sugges- tion by her personal conservator Jodi Montgom- ery’s lawyer to keep the hearing closed for privacy. tioned by her conservators’ lawyers, and they have As she rapidly made startling allegations against not yet had a chance to respond to her allegations her conservators, family and management team— in court.) Spears, who, according to sealed docu- including that they denied her the right to have ments obtained by The New York Times, had pre- more children by not letting her remove her IUD, viously expressed her frustrations to the court in forced her to work a grueling schedule she likened private since at least 2016, told the judge she hadn’t to “sex trafficking” and put her on the psychiatric ‘I’ve lied been informed she could petition for her conser- drug lithium (which is commonly used to treat and told vatorship’s termination, which usually requires mood disorders, including bipolar disorder) against medical evaluations by a conservatee’s doctors. her wishes—Britney was asked twice by Judge the whole “The main reason why I’m here is because I want Brenda Penny to slow down for the court recorder. world I’m you to [end the] conservatorship without having to “My dad and anyone involved in this conservator- okay and be evaluated,” she said with conviction. “I deserve ship and my management who played a huge role in happy’ changes. I just want my life back.” punishing me—they should be in jail,” said Britney, — BRITNEY whose longtime court-appointed lawyer Sam Ing- SPEARS, ham prefaced his client’s speech by informing the IN COURT Those close to Britney say her explosive court alle- judge he had “not attempted” to “filter” Britney’s gations have been a long time coming. In January words. (During the hearing the star was not ques- 2019 she canceled her planned Las Vegas show and

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: VALERIE MACON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK; KEVIN MAZUR/WIREIMAGE; 40 July 12, 2021 IMAGE GROUP LA/DISNEY CHANNEL/GETTY IMAGES; JEFF KRAVITZ/FILMMAGIC; CHRIS FARINA/CORBIS/GETTY IMAGES announced a career break as Jamie recovered from Showing his own health crisis, a rup- Support tured colon. That April she Britney’s fans checked into treatment at gathered outside her June 23 a wellness facility—a decision she claimed in court hearing in Los a decade. (Montgomery, Britney’s longtime care was orchestrated by her dad. “I cried on the phone Angeles. “We manager, temporarily replaced Jamie as the con- for an hour, and he loved every minute of it,” she all want the servator of her person, responsible for medical fairy tale life,” said. In August 2019, Jamie, 69, was involved in the star (left, decisions. Jamie remains co-conservator of her an alleged altercation with Britney’s son Sean in 2019) wrote estate, along with wealth-management compa- Preston, now 15. Weeks later, court documents on Instagram ny Bessemer Trust.) “Britney was close with her revealed that Jamie was stepping down as his afterward. dad for years. It really seems that she realizes he daughter’s personal conservator after more than saved her life in 2008, but she doesn’t agree that the conservatorship should have continued on for all these years,” says the family source. “She hasn’t Where the Spears had contact with her dad for a long time and was Family Stands Sister Jamie Lynn “I’m so proud of her for using her voice. If ending the conservatorship [is what] she wants . . . I support that 100%,” Jamie Lynn, 30 (in 2017), said June 28 on Instagram.

Dad Jamie Mom Lynne A source says the Lynne (in 2002) feels father-daughter pair ex-husband Jamie “has Brother Bryan used to be close, but not been transparent In July 2020 Bryan, 44 (in 2003 now Britney “has no with her,” says the with his parents and siblings), said contact” with her family source. “She’s on Drew Plotkin’s podcast that dad (above, in Las been encouraging the conservatorship has “been a Vegas in 2006). Britney to stay hopeful.” great thing for our family.”

July 12, 2021 41 FROM CHAOS TO CONTROL

Feeling Overprotected Within a month of her hospitalizations, Britney was placed under her father’s co-conservatorship. In the MTV doc Britney: For the Record, released in November 2008, Britney (with Jamie) tearfully Reaching lamented that her life “is too in control.” Career a Breaking Comeback Point Between 2012 and Britney filed for 2017, Britney’s divorce from career was back Federline in on track as she 2006. “I was served as a judge devastated,” she on The X Factor later said. Amid (above, with Demi a custody battle Lovato and Simon with Federline in Cowell), released January 2008, her ninth studio Britney was album, Glory placed under two (below), and 5150 psychiatric performed in a Las holds. Vegas residency (right).

beyond upset after Jamie’s altercation with her by medical professionals, multiple legal experts son.” (Jamie’s lawyers declined multiple requests say it’s more complicated than that. “You cannot for comment from People.) end a conservatorship without a capacity declara- Since then Britney has battled in court to pre- tion signed by a physician who has examined her vent Jamie’s potential return as her personal con- within six months,” says probate attorney David servator. And now she’s no longer staying silent. A. Esquibias, who represents actress Amanda A day after the court hearing, she shared a heart- Bynes in her own conservatorship case. “It would felt Instagram note with fans, who unleashed be highly unusual for a judge to make a decision an avalanche of support following her speech. without the opinion of an expert.” A source close “I apologize for pretending like I’ve been ok the to the situation says that since taking over the past two years,” she wrote. “I did it because of my role, conservator Montgomery “and a team of pride and I was embarrassed to share what hap- experts have concentrated on giving Britney the pened to me.” But while Britney wishes to have tools to get better. The hope is that she can get out her conservatorship end without being evaluated of the conservatorship.”

Her Life as a Mom CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CHAD BUCHANAN/PATRICK MCMULLAN/GETTY IMAGES; FOX IMAGE COLLECTION/GETTY IMAGES; MARCO PIRACCINI/MONDADORI/GETTY IMAGES; JAMES DEVANEY/ WIREIMAGE; JON SOOHOO/LA DODGERS/GETTY IMAGES; JEFFREY MAYER/WIREIMAGE

Last March Britney shared on Instagram that she was feeling “extremely lucky” because of her sons. “My two babies are such gentlemen and so kind that I must have done something right,” she captioned a photo (right) with Jayden and Preston (above right in 2013). They live primarily with Federline (above left, with Britney in 2005), to whom she pays child support. According to his lawyer, Federline “supports [the conservatorship’s ending] if it’s what’s best for her.”

42 July 12, 2021 Hidden Pain After taking a work hiatus in 2019, Britney privately struggled with her conservatorship. Speaking Out in Court On June 23 she On June 23 Britney gave emotional testimony said her Instagram by phone to an L.A. County superior court posts—like this (above) about life under her conservatorship. June 14 snap— “I’m not happy. I can’t sleep,” she said. were “a lie.” “I’m so angry, it’s insane. I cry every day.”

and reportedly struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. On Feb. 16, 2007, she abruptly checked herself into and out of a drug rehabilitation facil- ity in Antigua. That evening she resurfaced at a salon in L.A., where she shaved her head. Days later Britney’s team announced she had checked herself into a rehab clinic in California after her Justin Shows longtime manager Larry Rudolph and family Support members staged an intervention. “I was like a bad Months after apologizing kid running around with ADD,” Britney wrote in publicly to Britney an open letter to fans on her website at the time, for his misogynistic adding, “I am only human people, and I love you behavior following their 2002 split, for still loving me.” Timberlake threw While those close to Britney hoped the rehab his support behind stay would point her life in the right direction, his ex hours after her hearing. things ended up taking an even more troubling She was first determined to have lost the capacity “Jess and I send turn in 2008 as she struggled over custody with to make decisions for herself in 2008, following our love,” he Federline, 43. During each of her 5150 psychiat- tweeted on behalf years of struggles in the public eye. Since becom- of himself and wife ric holds, a medical professional deemed Britney ing a worldwide phenomenon at age 17 with her Jessica Biel. “We a danger to herself and others. (Britney’s diagno- No. 1-hit debut studio album, . . . Baby One More hope the courts, sis and medical records remain private.) Within a and her family Time, Britney—who was raised in rural Kentwood, make this right and month, Jamie petitioned for an emergency tem- La., by Jamie and her mother, Lynne—has grap- let her live however porary conservatorship, which was granted by a pled with the pressures created by sudden fame she wants to live.” judge. “In 2008 Britney clearly needed the conser- and wealth as well as omnipresent paparazzi vatorship,” says the family source. “People close and intense scrutiny of her romantic life. After a to her believe that she wouldn’t be alive without breakup with fellow pop star it. She didn’t sleep, drove around 24/7 and acted in 2002, Britney eloped in Las Vegas with her very distressed. There were huge concerns about childhood friend Jason Alexander in January her mental health.” Adds a music-world source: 2004. (The marriage was annulled 55 hours lat- “She used to be involved with the decisions made er.) Eight months later she wed backup dancer about her career and finances, but things changed Kevin Federline. She filed for divorce soon after when she had public outbursts and other issues.” they welcomed their second son, Jayden James, By the end of the year, the star was able to gain in 2006. As she battled with Federline over spou- more visitation time with her sons and reignite sal support and custody of Jayden, now 14, and her career with the release of her sixth studio Sean Preston, Britney became a nightlife fixture album, Circus, as the conservatorship was made

July 12, 2021 43 permanent. In the years that followed, she had it’s time for her to regain some control. Jamie— several successful world tours, a stint as a judge Experts who has reportedly been paid $16,000 a month on the Fox talent competition show X Factor and on the from Britney’s fortune for his role as conserva- a Las Vegas residency. Earlier this year Jamie’s tor, along with a percentage of her concert earn- attorney Vivian L. Thoreen told ABC News Biggest ings—maintains he only has Britney’s best inter- that her client had boosted the singer’s fortune, Questions ests at heart: “He is sorry to see his daughter in which she claimed had dwindled to $2.8 million so much pain . . . and misses her very much,” at the height of Britney’s troubles, to nearly Now Thoreen said in court after Britney’s testimony. $60 million over the past decade. “Jamie saved But Britney feels “a lack of trust for Jamie and Britney’s life,” said Thoreen. “He has collabo- What steps the conservator team,” says the family source. rated with her to help her regain custody of her can Britney And while Jamie is now in charge only of Brit- children. He has brought her finances back from take next? ney’s finances as estate co-conservator, “he still disaster. And he’s created a safe environment for “The court can’t has to approve everything, because everything move ahead until her to live her life the way she wants.” a petition to is related to finances at the end of the day,” says Though many sources agree Jamie helped lift terminate is filed,” the source close to the situation. “If she wants his daughter out of a tumultuous time, some feel says family-law to go to Hawaii, he has to approve that because attorney David Glass. “Britney it costs money. If she wants to take her friends Support from said she found to dinner, he has to approve that because it conservatorships costs money. He has the right to say no to cer- terminated without Her Boyfriend an evaluation, and tain things.” Britney’s attorney told the court that’s not exactly last fall that the singer is “afraid of her father.” true. A doctor or And her mom, Lynne, 66—who has been large- psychologist has to do a full analysis.” ly uninvolved with her daughter’s conservator- ship over the years—told the judge that Jamie and Britney had a “toxic” relationship. “Lynne Can got involved after Britney begged her for help,” conservators says the family source. “Lynne feels there are a really require birth control? lot of concerns with the conservatorship. She is “As invasive as it helping Britney as much as she can.” sounds, the idea is to protect the conservatee who is unable to care A bright spot for Britney through the difficult FROM LEFT: VIVIEN KILLILEA/GETTY IMAGES; ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES for herself while time has been her relationship with Asghari. pregnant,” says probate lawyer “He is a great influence on Britney. He doesn’t Positive David A. Esquibias. drink or do drugs. He is very focused on being Influence However, “typically, healthy and inspires Britney,” the family source a conservator Sources doesn’t have the says of Asghari, whom Britney has been dating say Asghari right to force since they met on the set of her “Slumber Party” encourages psychotropic drugs. Britney to work music video in 2016. “She would be lost without That requires sign- out and eat off from a judge.” him.” Britney made clear in court that she hopes healthy. “Team to get married and have a baby with Asghari, and flex over here,” he captioned a friend of the couple says the model is on the a June 28 video How do same page. “He’s ready for marriage and kids of them courts hold with Britney and is serious about the relation- at the gym. conservators ship. She wants to take that next step and have accountable? “Looking at life that full life with him,” says the friend. “As a cou- through Britney’s ple they’ve hidden how they’ve really felt even Since they met in 2016, Asghari has been eyes, she’s a hostage from people close to them because they were Britney’s “rock,” says a family source. In because her life is controlled by anxious and scared, but now it’s all out there.” February, shortly after the release of a others,” says Amid Britney’s ups and downs through the New York Times documentary about her trial lawyer Tom years, sources say, she found steadfast joy in her life and conservatorship, Asghari (top, with Lallas. “But inside the walls of the sons. “Like most people, Britney wants a hap- Britney in 2018) told People that he has courtroom, there py life with a person she loves,” says the music “always wanted nothing but the best for are periodic reviews source. “She loves being a mom and would like and reporting my better half and will continue to support obligations.” more children. That decision should be up to her following her dreams.” her.” While her sons primarily live with their

44 July 12, 2021 dad, “Kevin certainly respects Britney and only hopes the best for her,” says Federline’s law- yer Mark Vincent Kaplan. “The kids love their mother, and he wants there to be a healthy and strong relationship.” In court it’s now up to Britney—who sources say has no current plans to return to the stage— to file a petition to terminate the conservator- ship. After an emotional few weeks, sources say, she and Asghari hope to find some peace. “They’re pretty normal when they’re together,” says the couple’s friend. “They play Ping-Pong, and she gets supercompetitive. They watch Dis- ney shows and movies together.” But Spears is also determined to fight for her future. “It’s a complicated and complex situation,” says the family source. “There are clear issues with the conservatorship. It’s in place to protect Brit- ney. Yet so many things that Britney is unhappy about are valid. She should definitely have more freedom. This is her life.”

With reporting by PERNILLA CEDENHEIM, MELODY CHIU, LINDA MARX, TOMÁS MIER and KARA WARNER

At Center Stage “When Britney is well, she loves to perform,” a family source says of the star (in 2018 at the ‘I’m not announcement here to be of her later- canceled Las anyone’s Vegas residency slave’ Domination). — BRITNEY SPEARS, IN COURT